Pilots: Griffith Parks in 'Laughlin'

Zap2It.com | March 13, 2007

Melanie Griffith

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Other pilot gigs go to Bader and Burrell

Fully recovered, apparently, from her WB sitcom "Twins," Melanie Griffith is set to return to the small screen.

According to the industry trades, Griffith will take a guest starring role in the CBS musical drama pilot "Viva Laughlin," a part that could become recurring should the adaptation of the BBC's "Viva Blackpool!" go to series.

Griffith will play a scheming sexpot who has a romantic past with the show's central aspiring casino owner (Lloyd Owen). Hugh Jackman, an executive producer on the show, will also guest star in the pilot.

An Oscar nominee for "Working Girl," Griffith hasn't been seen much since "Twins," though her earlier credits include "Bonfire of the Vanities," "A Stranger Among Us" and "Milk Money."

The trades have plenty of other casting notes to report.

Diedrich Bader ("The Drew Carey Show") will join Stephen Dorff and Beverly D'Angelo in the CBS drama pilot "Skip Tracer," playing the best friend to the show's main character, a fugitive acquisition specialist.

Also at CBS, Jamey Sheridan ("Law & Order: Criminal Intent") will play a zombie in the walking dead drama "Babylon Fields." Previously announced cast members for "Babylon" include Amber Tamblyn and Ray Stevenson.

Meanwhile, over at FOX, Ty Burrell ("Out of Practice") will play a report on "Action News," the already-ordered-comedy featuring Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton and Fred Willard.

In addition, Billy Brown and Jesse James will take roles in FOX's drama "NSA Innocent."