Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on 'NCIS,' 'House,' 'Grey's,' 'Numb3rs,' 'Fringe,' 'Melrose Place,' and more!

Question: Seems like forever since Gibbs had a love interest on NCIS. Any scoop about that please? --Maya
Ausiello: There's a chance he'll see some action later this month when he travels out west to meet the crew of the NCIS spin-off. As exec producer Shane Brennan tells me, sparks will fly between Gibbs and Louise Lombard's character, Lara. "Gibbs and [Lara] have some past history that goes back a long, long way," he teases. "And quite clearly, Gibbs is not very keen to actually fly to Los Angeles and work with her -- particularly when she's given the lead on the case." Brennan adds that it's not immediately clear whether the baggage they share is romantic in nature, "but it is resolved over the two-part episode. The audience will find out exactly what it is, and I can guarantee no one is going to guess what the connection is."

Question: You said that there would be some major Tony-Ziva action coming up on NCIS, but, so far, nada! What gives? --Shoshana
Ausiello: Exec producer Shane Brennan clearly stated last month that the "Tiva" rollercoaster wouldn't leave the station until the April 28 episode, so I think what gives is you're losing your mind.

Spoiler alert: 'Life on Mars' ending (sorta) revealed!

Memo to October Road creators Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg: All's forgiven! The pair's short-lived ABC soap made my ears bleed, but they more than made up for it with their out-of-this-world follow-up, Life on Mars -- so much so that I'm almost tempted to give Road a second look on DVD. (I said almost.) Unfortunately, anemic ratings prompted ABC to abort Mars' mission after just 17 episodes, the last of which airs tomorrow night (10 pm/EST). The good news? Appelbaum and Rosenberg had enough notice to wrap up the time-tripping drama's central mystery and give viewers what has become something of a rare commodity these days in TV land: closure. The even better news? Despite my merciless Road bashing, the classy duo agreed to get on the phone with me to spoil preview tomorrow's must-see climax.

Updated: ABC cancels 'Life on Mars,' Mol relocating to 'Eastwick'?

Once again I get attached to a show with the word Mars in the title. Once again I'm mourning its premature demise.

Multiple sources are confirming that ABC has canceled my beloved Life on Mars. Per an insider, the network recently advised the show's producers that it would not be ordering a second season. The heads-up will allow them to make this year's season finale a series finale, thus leaving no questions unanswered. And unlike Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, etc., all indications are that ABC will actually air this series finale. We're making progress, people!

Another advantage of pulling the plug now as opposed to in May is it allows the show's stars to audition for fall pilots. Case in point: Gretchen Mol is currently in talks to join ABC's adaptation of The Witches of Eastwick. 

Mourning Mars' passing? Relieved we'll at least get closure? Hoping Sam and Annie will get it on before he hops on his time machine back to 2009? Sound off below!

Did you know you can follow me and my scoops at twitter.com/ewausiellofiles? Well, you do now!

Exclusive: Fred Thompson lands on 'Mars'

Fred Thompson is making good on his threat promise to return to acting. The former U.S. senator, whose presidential dreams went up in smoke earlier this year, has landed a guest stint on ABC's out-of-this-world drama Life on Mars, sources confirm to me exclusively. He'll play the NYPD's chief of detectives in a February episode.

In other Mars news, producers are currently casting the never-before-seen daughter of Harvey Keitel's character. Interested actresses should be in their mid-30s, beautiful, confident, and be willing to work long hours alongside Harvey Keitel.

Reminder: Life on Mars moves to Wednesdays at 10 pm/E.T. following Lost beginning Jan. 28. If you're not watching, you should be, dammit!

Exclusive: Lisa Bonet Sentenced to 'Life on Mars'

Denise Huxtable's about to inhabit a truly different world.

Former Cosby Show offspring Lisa Bonet is joining the cast of ABC's adaptation of the time-tripping U.K. cop drama Life on Mars, sources confirm to me exclusively.  Bonet will play Jason O'Mara's present-day girlfriend.

Bonet's hiring comes on the heels of another high-profile Mars casting: Earlier this week, Gretchen Mol signed on to play O'Mara's circa '73 squeeze, setting the stage for one unorthodox love triangle.

Previously announced Mars inhabitants include Harvey Keitel and Michael Imperioli.