Serial Scoop Now

LAFF, the country’s first-ever, over-the-air broadcast television network devoted to comedy around-the-clock set to launch on April 15, 2015, made the first in what-will-be a series of programming acquisition announcements today, landing the broadcast television rights to more than 800 episodes of some of the most popular sitcoms in contemporary television. In the three individual, multi-year licensing agreements, LAFF licenses: All nine seasons of both The Drew Carey Show (233 episodes) and Night Court (193 episodes) from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.

The hit action series Banshee will return to Cinemax in 2016 for a fourth season of eight episodes, which will shoot in Pittsburgh, Pa., it was announced today by Kary Antholis, president, HBO Miniseries and Cinemax Programming. The Emmy®-winning show is currently in its third season, with episodes debuting Fridays at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Banshee's fourth season will be executive produced by Alan Ball, Greg Yaitanes, Jonathan Tropper, Peter Macdissi, Adam Targum and Ole Christian Madsen. Returning cast and crew will be announced when they are confirmed. Debuting in January 2013, Banshee stars Antony Starr as Lucas Hood, an ex-con and master thief who assumes the identity of the sheriff of Banshee , Pa., where he continues his criminal pursuits while enforcing his own code of justice.

James Franco Oscar-nominated actor James Franco will lead the cast of the upcoming Hulu Original series 11/22/63 , from J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, acclaimed author Stephen King, executive producer/writer Bridget Carpenter and Warner Bros. Television. Based upon the best-selling 2011 novel written by King and published by Scribner, 11/22/63 is a thriller in which high school English teacher Jake Epping travels back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. But his mission is threatened by Lee Harvey Oswald, his falling in love and the past itself … which doesn’t want to be changed.

Victoria Rowell at Thursday's press conference in New York. Serial Scoop Now was on hand Thursday morning for a press conference announcing the lawsuit by former The Young and the Restless star Victoria Rowell against Sony Pictures Television, Inc., Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc., Bell Dramatic Serial Company, L.P., Bell-Phillip Television Production Inc., Corday Productions, Inc., and CBS Corporation. The press release below contains additional details and quotes from Ms. Rowell and her attorneys. Former The Young and the Restless star Victoria Rowell has filed a lawsuit claiming that CBS, Sony Pictures and other media companies refused to rehire her after she advocated for greater diversity among those who worked on the daytime drama. Rowell and her lawyers discussed the complaint at a press conference held steps from CBS headquarters. “All Ms. Rowell is seeking is basic fairness. We are confident that Ms. Rowell will be rehired if the issueis considered in a seriou...

Linda Gray will guest star in Winterthorne, the upcoming drama from Michael Caruso. Hosts Martha Madison and Lilly Melgar made a major web series casting announcement on today's episode of Soap Box Radio . Madison, who is set to star as Miranda Winthorne in Michael Caruso's upcoming drama, Winterthorne , revealed that longtime Dallas actress Linda Gray was joining her as a guest star in the series. Gray will play Miranda's mother, Joanna. Gray is best known for her memorable portrayal of Sue Ellen Ewing on CBS' original Dallas series and the reboot on TNT, which was canceled last fall after three seasons. “I have so many special memories of watching Dallas with my own mother, having Linda play my mother now feels like a full circle moment,” says Madison, “It’s incredibly special. I’m ecstatic.”

Angelica McDaniel CBS announced today that its program development unit for syndicated series will become part of the CBS Television Network’s daytime programming operation. Angelica McDaniel, head of CBS's top-rated daytime lineup, has been named to a new position that will oversee both Network daytime programming and new series development for syndication. In her new post, McDaniel will take on the added responsibility of leading development for all new first-run programming at CBS Television Distribution (CTD), the industry's leading domestic syndication company. She will be responsible for creating programming across all genres including talk, court, newsmagazines and game shows. In her new combined role, McDaniel will continue to report to CBS Entertainment Chairman Nina Tassler for CBS's daytime programming, while reporting to both Tassler and Armando Nuñez, President and CEO of CBS Global Distribution Group, for her new syndication duties.

NCIS and T he Big Bang Theory are America’s top two favorite current shows, according to a newly released Harris Poll of 2,232 U.S. adults who were surveyed online in English between Jan. 14 and Jan. 20, 2015. “We all know that NCIS and T he Big Bang Theory are the top-rated scripted series, but this survey demonstrates that these shows clearly stand out as America’s favorite choice in a growing television universe,” said David Poltrack, Chief Research Officer, CBS Corporation, President, CBS Vision. “This level of viewer engagement is important because research has proven that engaged viewers are more receptive to and more responsive to advertising. The CBS primetime lineup accounted for far more ‘favorite’ mentions than that of any other network and contained more different programs chosen as viewer favorites, confirming the unique bond between this Network’s programs and its audience.” FAVORITE CURRENT TV SHOW “What is your favorite current TV show?” Unprompted resp...