D. W. Moffett News

ABC Family has given a back-season order of 22 episodes to the network's one-hour original drama, 'Switched at Birth,' giving the break-out series a full first season order, Michael Riley, President, ABC Family has announced.

TV Land announced today that the network is moving forward with three sitcoms - two new series and a renewal for 'Retired at 35.' These series join 'Hot in Cleveland' which is now up to a 24 episode order for season three. These pick-ups take TV Land from zero to four scripted sitcoms within less than a year's time, along with several additional sitcoms in development.

TV Land announced today that the network is moving forward with three sitcoms - two new series and a renewal for 'Retired at 35.' These series join 'Hot in Cleveland' which is now up to a 24 episode order for season three. These pick-ups take TV Land from zero to four scripted sitcoms within less than a year's time, along with several additional sitcoms in development.

First reported by BroadwayWorld.com last night and now with confirmed dates, THE NORMAL HEART is headed back to Broadway with previews beginning on April 19th and an opening set for April 27, 2011 at the Golden Theatre.

BroadwayWorld has learned that just before the 2010-2011 season comes to a close, Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart will open on Broadway at the Golden Theater starring Cheyenne Jackson, Joe Mantello and Ellen Barkin. Following an Actor's Fund benefit performance of the show starring Mantello and Glenn Close this past fall, rumors began swirling that Daryl Roth was hot to ressurect the property into a full-scale production - it's first on Broadway. Securing an available theater had apparently held up her efforts. it is believed that Mantello will reprise his role as Ned Weeks. Jackson will play his lover Felix Turner and Barkin will assume the role of Dr. Emma Brookner.

Furthering TV Land's expansion into the original sitcom landscape, the network announced today that it has signed several popular television and film actors to star in its three upcoming pilots. Fran Drescher ('The Nanny'), Tichina Arnold ('Everybody Hates Chris'), John Michael Higgins ('Best in Show,' 'Kath & Kim'), D.W. Moffett ('Friday Night Lights'), Rita Moreno ('West Side Story'), Valente Rodriguez ('George Lopez') and Robert Walden ('All The President's Men') will star in 'Happily Divorced' based on Drescher's life; Donald Faison ('Scrubs'), Wayne Knight ('Seinfeld,' 'Hot in Cleveland'), David Alan Basche ('The Starter Wife') and Kristen Johnston ('3rd Rock From The Sun') will headline an untitled Mark Reisman sitcom; and Christine Taylor ('Zoolander,' 'Arrested Development'), Barry Watson ('Samantha Who?,' '7th Heaven') and Sherri Shepherd ('The View,' '30 Rock') will star in a comedy pilot by Terri Minsky tentatively titled 'Rip City.' Anne Meara ('The King of Queens') will guest star in Minsky's show. All three pilots, which were previously announced in January, will be multi-camera and will tape in front of live audiences in February.