The Ausiello Files: Romance for 'Bones'?

Romance for Bones?

After the April 8 broadcast of Bones‘ 100th episode — a flashback to Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and Booth’s (David Boreanaz) first tag-team case — the Fox dramedy will never be the same. And since exec producer Stephen Nathan has already said that he ”can’t see [a consummation of the partners’ flirtation] happening this season,” viewers are anticipating a change for the worse. But according to Deschanel, they shouldn’t. ”I don’t think fans will be upset,” she insists. ”It’s one of my favorite episodes that I’ve read in five years. It takes the relationship in a different direction, but I think it’s a good direction.” Adds Nathan: ”For most of this season, we’ve seen Booth struggling with his feelings for Brennan — and after the 100th, they might be a bit more resolved. We’ll start off in a new direction for both of them.”

If that’s too vague for the die-hard romantics in the audience, Deschanel is game to titillate them, admitting that there’s not a kiss but ”kisses” (as in plural) in the hour. Of course, she then clams up. ”I can’t say which characters they’re between.” Nor will she hint at which couple (or couples) is involved in the series’ upcoming engagement and wedding. ”I can’t,” she swears.

Thanks, at least, for throwing us a, um…bone.

SCOOPLETS

Pam and Jim’s Big Day Arrives

Pam (Jenna Fischer) and Jim (John Krasinski) will become parents in a special two-part Office airing March 4 and 11. Not surprisingly, things don’t go smoothly. ”Pam is trying to hold the baby in until after midnight so she can get the maximum time in the hospital because of the HMO,” explains exec producer Greg Daniels. ”So she’s trying to keep the baby in while at work [and] she pushes it too far.”

NCIS‘ Gibbs Bombshell

NCIS is about to unearth the dreaded mother-in-law skeleton from Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) closet. This March, the smash procedural will introduce the mother of one of Gibbs’ many ex-wives, a character exec producer Shane Brennan says will shed light on ”what happened in his past.” Casting is under way for the multi-episode role.

Delany in Demand

Kinky ABC has okayed a kind of ”wife swap,” lending out Desperate Housewives‘ Dana Delany to Castle for two episodes. But Delany won’t be playing Katherine Mayfair; she’ll be playing federal agent Jordan Shaw opposite her ex-Desperate hubby Nathan Fillion. Why this almost unprecedented move? The network is likely hoping that Delany’s presence will draw more eyeballs to Castle, particularly since her first episode will air on March 21 at 10 p.m. following — duh — Housewives.

Bakula Spies Return

Scott Bakula is heading back to Chuck as the title character’s spy daddy, Steve, for multiple episodes. Pops was last seen in the season 2 finale fleeing daughter Ellie’s wedding reception. Chuck exec producer Josh Schwartz calls Bakula’s comeback arc — which would fall at the end of the spy comedy’s current third season — ”the biggest thing we’ve ever done on the show.”

House Admits Strathairn

David Strathairn, who scored an Oscar nom for his role as Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck, has been tapped to guest in a Hugh Laurie-directed ep of House in March.