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Channel Surfing: Skeet Ulrich in Killer Role on "CSI: NY," Louis C.K. Hangs Out in "Parks," Paris Hilton Turns Demonic for "Supernatural," and More

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing.

Skeet Ulrich (Jericho) has signed on for a multiple-episode story arc on CBS' CSI: NY, where he will play a deeply disturbed killer in three episodes of the procedural crime drama. His first appearance is slated to air October 7th. (TVGuide.com)

Louis C.K. (Lucky Louie) will appear on NBC's Parks and Recreation next season in a multiple-episode story arc in which he'll play a police officer in Pawnee who is a potential love interest for Amy Poehler's Leslie Knope. He'll first appear in the second episode of the series' sophomore season, though it's unclear how many installments he'll ultimately appear in. (Variety)

Paris Hilton will guest star in an upcoming episode of the CW's Supernatural, where she will play "the role of a demonic creature that takes the form of... Paris Hilton," according to executive producer Sera Gamble, who sheds some light on the supernatural goings-on to The Chicago Tribune's Maureen Ryan. "If you know our style, you know we go pretty funny and irreverent with this stuff, so--expect that," added Sera. "The fact that she wanted to do the episode speaks volumes about her sense of humor. She's flat-out awesome for playing along. You'll see." Creator Eric Kripke meanwhile, teased, "If anyone ever wanted to see a bloodthirsty Paris attack and kill somebody, this is your chance." Hilton will appear in next season's fifth episode. (Chicago Tribune's The Watcher)

Syfy is reteaming with director/executive producer Bryan Singer to develop an untitled six-hour limited series about the Mayan prediction for the end of the world. Project, which will be executive produced by Singer and Keith Addis, will be written by Michael Petroni (Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys) and Michael Bond (Passengers). Here's the official description from Syfy PR: "The project will be a thrilling action-adventure story blending scientific fact and myth with popular conspiracy theories centering on the Mayan Calendar and what it predicts for mankind at its end date. With a feel of DaVinci Code and National Treasure, it tells the story of a down-on-his-luck author/professor who goes on a worldwide adventure to uncover the mysteries surrounding the Mayan Calendar and the potential apocalypse it seems to have predicted centuries ago. With an unlikely team, he races against time to prevent global catastrophe, and in doing so, ultimately rediscovers his faith in humanity and himself." (via press release)

HBO is developing single-camera comedy Enlightened about a self-destructive woman who has a spiritual awakening and then sets out to lead a more enlightened life, creating a trail of destruction in her wake. Project, written by Mike White (School of Rock), will star Laura Dern (Recount). "There are so many dysfunctional types of characters populating cable television, and she is equally as dysfunctional as any of them," said White, "but her impulse is to get healthy, to make the world a better place even though it creates havoc." (Hollywood Reporter)

Michael Raymond James (True Blood), Kimberly Quinn (Possible Side Effects), Laura Allen (Dirt), and Rockmond Dunbar (Prison Break) have been cast opposite Donal Logue in FX dramedy pilot Terriers, from creators Shawn Ryan and Ted Griffin. James will play Britt, the partner of ex-cop Hank (Logue) who together launch a private investigation business. Quinn will play Hank's ex-wife; Allen will play Britt's baby-crazy girlfriend; Dunbar will play Hank's former partner in the San Diego PD. (Hollywood Reporter)

USA announced a slew of in-development programming yesterday at the Television Critics Association in Pasadena, including:
  • Facing Kate: legal drama about a mediator from a family of corporate lawyers from Universal Cable Productions. Writer/executive producer: Michael Sardo (The American Embassy).

  • Crash Dummies: drama about a veteran Hollywood stuntman, his reluctant son, and a team of offbeat movie magic specialists from Reveille and Universal Cable Productions. Smallville's John Schneider will star and produce. Executive Producer: Matt Pyken (Knight Rider).

  • Good Cop, Bad Cop: an estranged brother and sister are forced to team up as cops in their small hometown from Universal Cable Productions. Writer: John Quaintance (Notes from the Underbelly).

  • Louise Candell: a female attorney, whose star was on the rise, unexpectedly becomes a star on YouTube for all the wrong reasons from Universal Cable Productions. Writer: Matthew Lieberman (Judging Amy).

  • Busy Bodies: mystery drama about a soccer mom who teams up with a gay stay-at-home dad to solve mysteries in the suburbs from Universal Cable Productions and Mosaic. Writer: Billy Finnegan.

  • Rock Doc: a famous rock star leaves the music business to go to medical school. From Universal Cable Productions. Writer: Todd Samovitz (Wonderland). From Universal Cable Productions.

  • Untitled Stephen J. Cannell/Scott Kaufer Project: an ex-con car mechanic goes undercover. From Universal Cable Productions and executive producers Stephen J. Cannell (The A-Team) and Scott Kaufer (3 lbs).

  • Hotel Dix: drama about an old school hotel detective who is brought back to work at a modern hotel. From Universal Cable Productions, executive producer/writer Tom Fontana (The Philanthropist) and director/executive producer Adam Bernstein (30 Rock).

  • Gourmet Detective: mystery drama about food detective travels the world and stumbles across mysteries of the palate…and murder from writer/executive producers David Breckman and Randy Zisk (Monk) and Universal Cable Productions.


NBC has announced that comedians D.L. Hughley, Mikey Day, Rachael Harris, Jim Norton, and The Dan Band have signed on to serve as correspondents for Jay Leno's eponymous weeknight series, along with NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, who will also make appearances. (via press release)

Warner Bros. Television has founded a global unit that will offer localized versions of their originated series--both on the scripted and unscripted sides--to territories around the world. Ronald Goes has been hired as EVP and head of international production; he'll be based in the UK and will report to Jeffrey Schlesinger. Concept is not a new one; 20th Century Fox Television has had a similar strategy in place for roughly a year now while NBC Universal has successfully formatted some of its series, most notably Law & Order, in the UK, France, and Russia. (Variety)

The Daily Show's John Oliver and Rory Albanese have signed a blind script deal with Paramount, under which they will create new feature film projects for the Paramount and television projects for CBS Television Studios. The duo will also be creating a production shingle. (Hollywood Reporter)

Pay cabler Epix has signed a movie output deal with Samuel Goldwyn Co. on all of its platforms for up to twenty of Goldwyn's feature films to be released in 2010 and 2011. Epix, backed by MGM, Viacom, and Lionsgate, will launch in October. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

Comments

Radha said…
Very excited to see what Mike White has up his sleeve. I think the combination of his talent, Laura Dern's talent, and HBO will produce some great results!
AskRachel said…
Gourmet Detective? Seriously, USA?

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