Shannon gives sitcoms another crack

Pilot watch
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER, JOSEF ADALIAN


NBC
Casting -- "Saturday Night Live" alum Molly Shannon is giving the sitcom world another crack, signing on to star in Peacock laffer "The Mastersons of Manhattan."

Shannon will play Amanda Masterson, a New York socialite who's on trial for murder in the pilot. Natasha Richardson plays her sister. Serialized laffer will be directed by James Burrows; Gary Janetti is exec producer-writer.

Shannon last starred in Fox's "Cracking Up" and appeared in the theatricals "Little Man" and "Marie Antoinette."

Casting -- Robin Weigert ("Deadwood") will play Damian Lewis' boss, Lt. Davis, in the cop drama "Set for Life."

ABC
Casting -- Allison Munn ("What I Like About You") has joined the comedy "Carpoolers" as Cindy.

Casting -- Bailee Madison ("Bridge to Terabithia") will play Brenna in the crime drama "Judy's Got a Gun."

Casting -- Jennifer Esposito ("Spin City") has landed the role of Angela in the comedy "Sam I Am," about a woman with amnesia.

Fox
Casting -- Onetime "Trapper John M.D." star Gregory Harrison is ready to don scrubs again to play Dr. Richard Miller in the drama pilot "Nurses." Also added to the cast: Brett Dalton as Dr. Kurt Taylor and Melinda Page Hamilton as Margo McDonald.

Casting -- Oded Fehr ("Sleeper Cell") is now a cast member on medical drama "The Cure."

Casting -- Johnny Sneed ("House") will play Tommy in comedy pilot "The Rules for Starting Over," which stars Craig Bierko as a new divorce who hits the dating scene with his pals. Shaun Majumder has also joined the cast as Dr. Bill.

CBS
Casting -- JoAnna Garcia ("Reba") has been added to drama "The Captain."

CW
Casting -- Ryan Merriman ("Final Destination 3") will star in the drama pilot "Gravity." Project follows rookie cops in Los Angeles.