Burke returns to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ — sort of Plus spoilers on ‘NCIS,’ ‘House,’ ‘Greek’ and more

Question: Is it at all possible that Shonda Rhimes would bring Isaiah Washington back to “Grey’s Anatomy” for even one episode now that T.R. Knight has left the show? —Ben

Ausiello: Listen to me very carefully, because I’m only going to say this once: Never. Gonna. Happen. But Washington kinda-sorta gets a shout-out in this week’s episode when Owen-lovin’ Cristina utters three shocking words: “I miss Burke

Question: Sounds like you’ve already seen this week’s “Grey’s,” so I’ve got a Q: Any good Mer-Der scenes? —Megan

Ausiello: Nothing stands out on the Mer-Der front, but there’s a memorable Mer-Cristina-Alex scene at the end that will have you crying and laughing (and in that order).

Question: Any “Grey’s” scoop? —Sharon

Ausiello: You already know that someone gets fired in this week’s episode. But what you may not know is that someone gets fired next week, too!

Question: Julie Benz just Twittered a photo of a guy she says will be part of a big reveal in the “Dexter” season finale. What can you tell us about this? —Matt

Ausiello: Here’s what I can tell you: If this guy is who I think he is, fans are not going to be happy.

Question: Jenny is so boring on “Gossip Girl.” Please tell me she will become mean. —Juliana

Ausiello: Mean enough to drive her BFF away. I hear Jenny and Eric’s relationship will suffer big time due to her new “Queen Bee” status.

Question: I’m thrilled Jorja Fox is sticking with "CSI" but what about William Petersen? I want to see Grissom and Sara together. —Alex

Ausiello: They were just together, albeit off screen. As exec producer Carol Mendelsohn tells me, Sara will reveal in this week’s episode that she “just got back from visiting Grissom in Paris.” Mendelsohn adds that, “We have no plans for Billy to return at the moment, but the door’s always open.”

Question: Will we see a storyline involving Chloe and Oliver on “Smallville” anytime soon? —Marie

Ausiello: Yes, very soon. Next Friday’s episode, “Roulette,” is all about Oliver, with a little Chloe twist thrown in.

Question: Why are you ignoring the No. 1 show in the ratings? Seriously, give us some scoop on “NCIS”! —Alexandra

Ausiello: This may or may not be a first for the show, but this season “NCIS” will devote special episodes to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. How much you wanna bet that last one will feature a golden Ziva moment? I’m in for $10.

Question: I am really confused. Did I miss a scoop that Tracie Thoms was leaving “Cold Case”? I liked her character and enjoyed how Miller was starting to get to know ADA Bell. Is she off the show for good? —Paige

Ausiello: No, not for good. Thoms’ episode order was cut back this season, so Miller will be missing in spots. But a “Cold Case” insider assures me that she remains a series regular and we’ll see her again “soon enough.”

Question: Rumor has it someone’s dying on “Melrose Place.” Who is it?! —Shane

Ausiello: It’s not a major character, so relax. If you want to discuss a major upcoming death, ask me who’s going to bite it on “Vampire Dairies”

Question: You recently said that Robert Sean Leonard should prepare an Emmy acceptance speech, so that must mean Wilson has some juicy storyline action coming up on “House.” What can you tell us about our favorite boy wonder oncologist? —Clover

Ausiello: Don’t be surprised if around episode 10 the tables turn and House ends up nursing Wilson back to health.

Question: I am dying to know what’s going to happen before the season ends on “Greek”? —Paola

Ausiello: The Nov. 2 finale promises to be the show’s most ambitious to date. In a word, musical! “Our girls’ story is centered around a traditional sorority competition called ‘Songfest,’” explains series creator Sean Smith. “[They perform] some big song-and-dance numbers as they go up against Gamma Psi to get the house back on top.” That explains the return of High School Musical’s Olesya Rulin as perky ZBZ pledge Abby, who Smith says sprinkles some “great HSM references” throughout the episode. And then there’s this: “One of our Kappa Taus graduates,” Smith reveals. “That’s right, I used the G-word.”

Question: I am dying to know what happens with Casey and Cappie on “Greek”! —Bri

Ausiello: Wow, you “Greek” fans are playing the death card to, um, death this week. Well, it’s working, because I can tell you that this season’s penultimate (and prematurely Thanksgiving-themed) episode on Oct. 26 will reveal which way Casey’s love life is going — towards Evan or Cappie.

Question: Is there any news on that planned “Pushing Daisies” comic book? —Tommy

Ausiello: Bryan Fuller just turned in the script for the first one and he’s currently working with the show’s writers on the next three. Here’s a spoiler to whet your appetites: The first comic, which I’ve read and is awesome, features the return of ***a* *****iu*!

Question: Two “Criminal Minds” Qs for you: Is Hotch going back to his ex-wife Haley after he catches Foyet? And will Emily finally have a love life? —Marbs

Ausiello: “Hayley will definitely play an important role in the taking down of The Reaper,” responds exec producer Ed Bernero. “That’s really all I can say about that right now. And as far as Emily, we’ve all been talking a lot about her and her ’status,’ though no final decision has been made. She’s become a very important character for us in a number of ways. I think it’s fair to say that we are as interested in Emily Prentiss finding love and balance in her life as the audience is.”