I get that there’s no easy way to lay someone off, but, come on, this is ridiculous: A male series regular on a one-hour drama — a onetime ratings powerhouse — learned that he was out of a job only after reading his character’s death scene in the script!
According to my mole, the popular and well-respected leading man — who tapes his final scenes this week — was blindsided not just by his ouster, but by the tacky way in which it was handled. “He was hurt that the producers didn’t tell him first,” says the source. “He deserved better.”
The real surprise is that, well, anyone was surprised at all. The actors on said show have long been frustrated by the lack of communication coming from the front office. Still, as the insider points out, “This was low even for them.”
So, who’ll be looking for work starting next week? And what show does he currently star on? Here’s the first of two hints: It’s not — I repeat not — Grey’s Anatomy. Look for that second hint in this week’s Ask Ausiello.
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Adrian Pasdar on Heroes?
I would agree, but since Nathan died last year, it makes sense that it would be hard to keep both Nathan and Sylar around, although Sylar haunting Matt was good for one episode, either Nathan or Sylar had to go.
ITS DEFINATELY SOMEONE ON NBC…
Ausiello’s frienemy over at E! confirmed it’s someone on Heroes.
Kristin gives much better “hints”, Ausiello. It’s definitely Peter. Poor Milo.
Nathan dies every year.
LMAO @ shane!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!!
and it’s totally either Parkman or Mohinder. I think Nathan is at some risk, but I doubt he’d die. AND PETER WILL NEVER DIE.
It’s Hiro
@ Megan: If it’s Peter then I really will quit this show. He’s the ONLY reason I watch anymore.
It can’t be “Heroes” That show was NEVER a ratings powerhouse, just a hyped wannabe that got decent ratings its first year.
Also, since he ‘died’ again last night, he would have taped those scenes already. He has died twice already, it would be crazy to ‘die’ again!
I think it’s between Parkman, Nathan, HRG, or maybe Ando! But I hope it’s Parkman!
It has to be Hiro.
oh no I hope not=’(
It is the actor who plays Victor Newman, on the Young and the Restless. I will quit watching, if they kill him off. The actor is Eric Braeden.He has been on the show,since the start. I can’t understand why they would this.
pretty sure this is referring to a prime time drama as Ausiello rarely gives spoilers on soaps ( actually I don’t think I’ve EVER seen him give soap spoilers)
Eric Braeden also chose to quit because they asked him to take a pay cut. Everyone knew he was leaving.
The show started in March 1973…. Eric Braeden started in 1980. Twenty-nine years is a pretty large chunk of time. I’m with you, he goes…… I go, and I’ve been watching it from 1973! I think the person in question is in a primetime series. Heros sounds right. Once a powerhouse, but, no more.
Ditto. I think it is Eric Braeden.
Eric Braeden has already taken a pay cut. Now in the middle of a three year contract they are trying to force him and others to take another pay cut. He doesn’t mind taking the cut…. just not in the middle of a contract. That’s what contracts are for.
The trouble with it being anyone from Heroes is that people die on that show all the time and it doesn’t mean they’re out of a job. They just keep coming back!
I think it’s Vincent D’Onofrio from Law and Order Criminal Intent
That was old news. That was reported a few weeks ago.
It’s not Vincent D’Onofrio. The latest news is that he’s not renewing his contract but it wasn’t a surprise from the network. And his character is not being killed.
i immediately thought it was Adrian Pasdar. He fits all the clues, and Heroes seems to be a total basket case behind the scenes. Add to that NBCU is itself a basket case and must be having cash flow probs nowadays… It SUCKS if it’s Pasdar!!! What a dick move by the producers, whoever it turns out to be.
How about Masi Oka on Heroes? He just came down with a brain tumor, perhaps the buildup to his death
except that one could see it coming if they pulled a trick like a tumor. this sounds more like in the middle of the script, someone pulls out a gun and bang, you are dead. good bye
I’m lost I haven’t beenable to keep-up w/this because i have’nt been watching because i thought thay changed time’s/tight’s? IDK?? I liked Sy; & hero,and ofcourse “the cheerleader”!!!
Everyone knows it’s Kenny from Southpark…he is the weekly victim remember “they killed Kenny, those ba$tards”
No, it can’t be Kenny, people still watch South Park…
I agree, that was my first thought as well, especially since Heroes was once a powerhouse, and now not so great. Also, with the last episode’s plot, im not sure how nathan would come back.
I bet it’s one of the Criminal Intent actors. Chris noth? Vincent D’nofrio?
Chris Noth is no longer on the show and we knew weeks ago that D’Nofrio was leaving.
We knew weeks ago he was leaving, but did he know he’d be killed off the show? maybe he thought his character would just leave
The issue in the article isn’t the death. It’s that the actor didn’t know he was being booted.
Neither of them are still on CI. Good try, though.
Criminal Intent was never a “ratings powerhouse.”
It’s Adrian Pasdar or Milo Ventimiglio or the guy that play Suresh in Heroes.
yeah i reckon its a heroes man as well, once a powerhouse ratings show and the producers have not been handling anything right recently, gota be heroes!
I agree. I thought of Heroes once that line was said. I hope no Milo. Peter and Sylar are the show. I also like Parkman too. I like the idea with no Suresh.
I know people will hate me for saying this but Syalr. Sylar is getting a little annoying, granted he did have a good scene with the social worker but still, he killed off Elle my favorite character and he is just so annoying. He died a billion time. The last time he died I was just like he’ll be back. I hope Sylar goes
LOL, my first thought was “Grey’s Anatomy”. I’d say one of the “CSI”s then.
CSI ratings are still really high – in the top ten every week
Kyle MacLachlan from “Desperate Housewives”….!?
Agreed!
I hope it’s Kyle MacLachlan! Orson’s gotta go.
I don’t think it’s Housewives…Housewives is still pretty big in ratings, if not what it once was. My guess is Heroes.
Housewives is not a powerhouse anymore. it lost to Family Guy in the ratings last week!
To Robin: Housewives scored 13 million…Family Guy…8 million. How exactly did Family Guy beat DH in ratings?
Kyle said he wanted to leave at the end of this season, so I don’t think it’s him.
Yeah I agree it’s probably Kyle MacLachlan. There’s been rumours his character has ran it’s course.
And wouldn’t that fit with the plane crash on Wisteria Lane during November sweeps?
I sure hope so. I am so over the whole Orson blackmailing Bree storyline.
Makes a lot of sense – Marc Cherry has been a fan of whacking people with no warning, and Kyle’s never really fit in tho he’s a good actor.
But Orson only joined the cast in the last ep of season 2
Ignore that, I got my spoilers muddled!
I actually thought it would be James Denton from Desperate Housewives.
Can’t be desparate housewives, because it’s not a drama.
we should be so lucky, he sucked on Sex and the City and he is even more pathetic on this show. Someone get that man a set of balls
Kyle/Trey was great on SATC because he was tall dark & handsome. A prince who came to Charlotte’s rescue. Charlotte always wanted the “perfect” man with the perfect family background on Park Ave and she got it (an uptight bore). Too bad Trey was not very sexual in the beginning. His Scooter could not “get it up” for Charlotte’s Rebecca. LOL!
Vincent D’nofrio
Nope.
Yeah, someone on Heroes
I was originally thinking Housewives, but Heroes and Suresh makes total sense considering the rumours around his death and the fact it was once a ratings powerhouse.
Feel bad for him now.
Rumors of Mohinder’s demise have been greatly exaggerated!
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAhaha!!!!!!
yeah, i would totally go with someone from Heroes. Adrian or Milo are the only ones I’d consider “leads” and I can’t see them turfing Milo … Sendhil Ramamurthy, Jack Coleman, etc., are more supporting …
Now I understand why they call you a weasle.
If you’re going to call someone a weasel, at least learn how to spell it correctly.
HAHAHAHAHHAHHahahahaha!!!!!
you have this confused with Harry Potter, Weasle is one of the family names…oh wait, it’s a typo, never mind
CSI
Sam Waterston on L&O?
I like this guess. It is mean, but saves money. I would miss the character, but his role has already been reduced.
*gasp* I sure hope not!!! I love Jack McCoy!!! He’s been on the show WAY too long to be treated like that…
This is NBC we’re talking about — they have been absolute boors and cretins to everyone associated w/their scripted series.
McCoy is the only reason left to watch the show since Lenny’s been gone. It better not be him. He’s awesome and he doesn’t have all that much screen time as it is.
Agree 110% — Jack McCoy is biggest reason to stick with L&O these days. Glad they have given him more screen time than previous D.A.’s. I don’t care much for his replacement, that Mike character. Surely they wouldn’t do this to him after all these years!
Leslie, I would say that Jack McCoy is the ONLY reason to watch L&O now that Jesse Martin and Jerry Orbach are both gone. And as much as I like Waterston, that’s just not enough reason for me.
I hope not. Jack is great. I loved the story line that he finally got promoted
That was my guess. “male series regular” – check. “popular and well respected leading man” – check. “one-hour drama” – check. “Onetime ratings powerhouse” – check. If so, he did deserve better.
That’s who I thought of. Hate to see him go, and especially after all these years they would do it like that.
I would be very upset if it was Sam
That’s the first thought that comes to mind too. On the other hand, do we know if Lt. Van Buren is going to survive her cancer diagnosis? It would be risky to kill off two major characters.
That was my first thought, too. I hope not. That would really suck.
L&O is probably in its last season anyway so I doubt it’s Waterston.
This was going to be my guess…
It wouldn’t be Sam Waterston. The L&O producers are WAAAAAAY more professional than that. Especially with him and the fact L&O celebrated it’s 20th anniversary last month.
Must be someone on Heroes.
I would be hurt if it was Adrian pasder:(
Heard some nasty things about the D’Onofrio sitch. Could be it. Would be too much to hope that it’d mean David Caruso is FINALLY gone from CSI: Miami. With him gone, the show might actually be watchable.
Yeah….. I’m still ticked at Caruso for that NYPD Blue stunt!
Vince isn’t getting killed off on CI, so it’s not him.
definitely thinking it is someone from heroes
i guess house and fringe could also be it though fringe was never really a “ratings powerhouse”
I’m agree that it’s one of the Law & Orders. D’onofrio– wasn’t he mentioned as being taken off the show anyway?
I am guessing Laurence Fishburne on CSI. It fits all the clues and even though I like him, he has not been well received on CSI. And CSI does not have the blockbuster ratings it once had.
This is exactly what I was thinking. It’s obvious that the show is hurting and they have already started to bring back other characters. This used to be the show not to be missed for some and now it hardly garners any attention at all.
CSI is still a top 10 show every week. It is not the nimber one show, but many shows will kill for CSI’s ratings.
Fishburne is way better than Petterson. His new take on CSI is the only reason I cantinue to watch. I hope they don’t kill him. It would be unlikely they are because the show is trying to sting in a story line about his character’s father. Also, if they were looking to fire someone, why would they rehire the lady who plays Sara? Unlikely the orginial CSI is looking to lay off anyone.
Not sure about that reasoning. If they feel the show took a wrong turn recently, it would make sense for them to get rid of poorly-received new character and bring back an old one. That said, I don’t think it’s him either. But I TOTALLY disagree with you — as much as I love Fishburne in general, the show was knocked from “must see” to “catch it sometimes” once Grissom left.
I respectfully disagree. They tried to make his character know the same knowledge as Grissom but Fishburne’s character just comes off as cocky and frankly just a tad bit stupid.
This was my first thought as well. Can’t say I’ll miss the character if it is him.
But CSI is still #5. Thats pretty good after all this time. I thnk and NBC show is more likely.
I was thikinng Laurence Fishburne too. I know that CSI’s ratings are still acceptable, but it has experienced about a 30% drop from last season, which is pretty significant. I can’t remember the last time I watched an episode of CSI, so it doesn’t exactly bother me.
jay leno.
Ha! Nice one, pop.
Oh PLEASE let it be Leno. He needs a hiatus. Forever.
That’s the funniest thing I’ve read today. Funnier than anything on his hideous show
If only
Hahahaha! Awesome thought.
Another ax from House? Better not be Chase or I’ll be breaking up with the show.
House is still a solid ratings powerhouse, regardless of what EW thinks of this season!
As per Q, House is still Fox’s strongest show, still in the top 3 in key demos, highly doubt they’ll be axing anyone soon!
Well, they’re already sending Jennifer Morrison away!
If I’m not mistaken, David Shore already dispelled the rumors of Jennifer Morrison’s supposed exit. He said she’s still on the payroll
I’m also guessing Heroes, specifically Adrian Pasdar. Too bad, Nathan’s one of my favorite characters…
Except Nathan is already dead…
No one else has posted this except you and I say Thank You, he is dead he would have to know his time on the show would be limited to a portion of season 4 and thats it. So he wouldnt be suprised to find out that his character is being killed off a show that the character is already dead on?
it’s funny that Ausiello mentioned right away that it wasn’t Grey’s Anatomy because that was literally the first thing that I thought of! I’m guessing that it’s someone from heroes it WAS once a ratings machine so it would fit that part of it..
It had better not be Lost
no i doubt it’s lost..doesn’t that still pull in decent ratings?? i also can’t see them being that harsh letting someone go..
plus its the last season. i’m sure a couple people are expecting their characters to die or the story to come to a close.
All of the other deaths that Lost has done in the past, the actor/actress was personally told by Darlton. So I doubt it is Lost as well.
It wouldnt matter so much to the cast member if it were LOST as it has been known for a few years that this is the FINAL season and I would guess that a vast majority of that cast will be getting killed off
I agree with Krista and Mavis. There’s always been great communication between the showrunners and the cast & crew. As far as I know, Darlton always phones the actor playing the soon-to-be-dead character. Plus, I guess most – if not all – major characters will die in the final season.
My first thought was LOST but heroes makes sense(pasdar did win a Saturn award after all) but maybe Josh holloway?or Henry cusick?
Can’t be Lost. Dead NEVER means fired on that show. (Well, not never, but very very rarely).
Lost has always had a lot of respect for their cast. hell they killed Charlie due to that respect. they knew they had no real part for Charlie anymore and keeping Dom on the cast would be blocking him from other roles. so they went to him and asked him if he wanted to stay or if he was okay leaving. he said they could kill him but it better be good.
could be Adrian Pasdar since Syler is now back
Because it said “once a ratings powerhouse” my guess is they are talking about CSI. So my guess is Lawerence Fishburne. Although I hope not. I don’t know if Heroes was ever a ratings powerhouse.
It was a rating powerhouse during the first season-like 18 million viewers. Now it gets less than a thrid of that
EW says it got 16m this week.
Fishburn is a good guess but then the show would fall apart…too many changes. And I HATE blind items!
CSI is definitely still a ratings powerhouse. Its in the Top 10 every week!
Please be Mike (DH).
Please DON’T be Mike. I finally like him again after the Katherine disaster. Him & Susan are a big part of why I watch DH.
George Eads’ Nick Stokes on CSI
I don’t think the CSI producers would try and kill off one of the few original characters that they haven’t gotten rid of yet. Lawrence Fishburn’s character hasnt been a huge hit, and I think a lot of the audience liked Nick and Catherine from the start. If they offed Nick, that would just be another thing to bring down ratings.
That would be horrible, after losing the other guy, my favorite one, what was his name? Not Grissom, the black guy.
Your “favorite” one on CSI whose name you can’t remember…Gary Dourdan aka Warrick Brown. You get a pass for not being able to come up with it since he was my fav too
That would be a huge mistake. Nick and Greg are the only likable characters on that show anymore.
It isn’t anyone from L&O CI. The news about all the leads leaving the show has been well publicized already. I’m also placing my money on Heroes. Maybe Zach Quinto?
We should be so lucky. Sylar should have been dead years ago and Quinto has all those Trek movies to ensure he doesn’t stay unemployed too long.
I think it is Milo on Heroes. In the preview for next week it looks like he gets shot. Maybe he goes into a coma and then dies and he is shooting that now. My second thought would be Adrian who there isn’t really a place for now that Sylar is back sans memory.
Its not Milo or at least not from the scene you’re refering to, based on spoilers. Its probably Pasadar or Rathmury. My guess is its Mohinder, wtf has he been? DEAD.
Heroes: Hiro Nakamura. Namaste!