Fox orders Mindy Kaling pilot

KalingFox has ordered a trio of pilots including a comedy pilot from "The Office" star/producer Mindy Kaling and Universal Television. In addition to starring, Kaling would executive produce with Howard Klein. Project was originally intended for NBC, which passed, opening it up for another bidders. The untitled pilot is described as a young "Bridget Jones"-type doctor trying to navigate both her personal and professional lives. Sale of the project marks the second time in as many days that Universal TV has steered a pilot outside of NBC, consistent with the studio's modus operandi heading into this development season. CBS announced another Universal TV order earlier Monday, from Louis C.K. and Spike Feresten. In addition, Fox has ordered "El Jefe," from David Guarascio and Moses Port, creators of the CW's "Aliens in America." Single-camera comedy is from Sony Pictures Television. "Jefe" centers on a guy from a wealthy family who has never made his own way who is ejected from the family home and winds up having to live with his family's housekeeper. Sony has also sold to Fox an untitled drama from Josh Berman and Rob Wright of Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva" about a female doctor who is working for the mafia. Michael Dinner ("Justified") is also on board to executive produce and direct. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Cheers & Jeers: Nick Nolte's Luck Changes

Nick Nolte Cheers to Nick Nolte for racing towards the leading in the pack with Luck. Want more Cheers & Jeers? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine. The veteran actor - who first increased to become star inside the '70s miniseries Wealthy Guy, Poor Guy - grew to become a stumbling punchline after his well-known arrest about 10 years ago. Now he's near the top of his game again due to his knockout behave as some different trainers: an alcoholic MMA coach within the Oscar-nominated performance in Warrior plus an old stable submit HBO's new horseracing drama. You can't help but appear like Nolte identifies along with his Luck role as Walter Cruz, also called the old Guy, a apparently over-the-hill geezer who's enlivened to produce any run for glory. TV Guide Magazine recently asked Nolte, who states Luck creator David Milch had approached him to star within the last series, the ill-produced (and -fated) John From Cincinnati. Nolte switched it lower, he mentioned, as they "did less than have that certain." When Nick Nolte finds something incoherent, that's really saying something. But Milch and Nolte have started making sense again, and expect once the old professional rides this role completely to have an Emmy. What can you consider Luck -a nd Nick Nolte? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Steven Spielberg's Moses: Casting The Scriptural Icon

Steven Spielberg is apparently not far from signing onto direct a biopic from the scriptural hero Moses, which makes this Good Jewish Girl happy. Obviously Mr. Spielberg, VIJ (Extremely Important Jew), could be reliable to inform the storyline of Moses together with his usual brilliance. But who definitely are the lucky fella to portray the guy who shepherded his individuals to freedom? Below, some casting suggestions! 1. Liam Neeson: He defied the Nazis in Schindlers List, fearlessly fought the seriously frightening Darth Maul in The Exorcist Episode I: The Phantom Menace and looked lower flesh-hungry baby wolves within the Gray. Who easier to challenge the evil Pharaoh than Neeson? 2. Tom Hanks: Moses was the essential Everyman, frequently questioning their own capability to lead a nation towards the Guaranteed Land. Hanks is Hollywoods Everyman, so hed be considered a natural option to take part in the guy who separated the Red-colored Ocean as they and the fellow Hebrews fled Pharoahs military. Run, Moses, run! 3. Difficulties: A blond-haired, blue-eyed Moses? Sacrilege! However they stated exactly the same factor about Bond, plus they were proven wrong. Also, theres nothing improper about showing a gritty, muscled Moses hey, it labored for Charlton Heston. 4. Benedict Cumberbatch: With roles in War Equine, Mess Tailor Soldier Spy, The Hobbit and J.J. Abrams approaching Star Wars follow up, Cumberbatch is certainly getting a minute. Why don't you add another prestige project to his CV? Hes certainly got the acting chops to visit mind-to-mind having a burning rose bush. 5. Haley Joel Osment: Hes been mostly MIA recently, but a job as juicy as Moses could revive his movie career inside a large way. Cant you simply imagine him whispering in to the dark, echoing chambers from the Egyptian structure, I see my people allow them to go! Many of these stars have labored with Spielberg before so that they have the advantage of familiarity. But he might easily choose a mystery actor to fill Moses sandals and thats certainly his prerogative he's Spielberg, in the end. Who would you like to see as Spielberg's Moses movie? Inform us within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

'Grey's Anatomy' strong in exchange

ABC's 'Grey's Anatomy' came 12. million audiences on Thursday called the night's No. 1 broadcast program in most key demos. It'll face harder competition in coming days, but ABC's ''Grey's Anatomy'' came back from the two-month break having a strong showing Thursday and assisted the internet win the evening over mostly repeats around the rivals. ''Grey's'' and lead-out ''Private Practice'' hit season levels, while CW's ''The Vampire Diaries'' also returned nicely.Based on preliminary national estimations from Nielsen, ABC began the evening with an excellent debut for ''Winter Wipeout'' (2.8/8 in 18-49, 8.5 million audiences overall), which placed second to CBS comedy repeats because of its hour but was lower about 25% from the premiere on a single evening last year. ''Wipeout'' is really a large upgrade within the timeslot for ABC, easily outperforming former slot occupant ''Charlie's Angels.''''Grey's Anatomy'' then increased after that (4.5 rating/11 be part of grown ups 18-49, 12. million audiences overall), standing because the night's No. 1 broadcast program in most key demos and rising 10% from the newest episode on November. 10 to publish its best demo score since late March the vet medical drama went facing repeats on CBS, NBC and Fox, with individuals nets returning their Thursday shows in originals in a few days. Closing the evening for ABC, ''Private Practice'' (2.8/7 in 18-49, 7.8 million audiences overall) hit a season high called the obvious broadcast leader in demos, although it likely placed behind MTV's season premiere of ''Jersey Shoreline.''For the evening, ABC won in 18-49 and 25-54 as well as edged out CBS as a whole audiences. The Three.3 rating in 18-49 marks the very best for any regular ABC Thursday selection this year.Cbs television studios placed second in demos, brought by comedies ''The Large Bang Theory'' (3.5/10 in 18-49, 11.six million audiences overall) and ''Rules of Engagement'' (2.6/7 in 18-49, 8.7 million audiences overall). The internet also did decent amounts with repeats of crime dramas ''Person of Interest'' (1.9/5 in 18-49, 8.7 million audiences overall) and ''The Mentalist'' (1.9/5 in 18-49, 9.two million audiences overall).NBC broadcast an exciting-repeat comedy evening: ''Community'' (.8/2 in 18-49, 2.six million audiences overall), ''Parks and Recreation'' (.9/2 in 18-49, 2.4 million audiences overall), ''The Office'' (1.1/3 in 18-49, 2.six million audiences overall), ''Whitney'' (.9/2 in 18-49, 2.3 million audiences overall), a unique 10 p.m. airing of ''The Office'' (.7/2 in 18-49, 1.8 million audiences overall) after which ''Up All Night'' (.7/2 in 18-49, 1.9 million audiences overall). And Fox broadcast a set of ''Bones'' repeats, generating single.2/3 in 18-49 and 4.8 million audiences overall at 8 along with a 1.1/3 in 18-49 and 4.3 million audiences overall at 9.At CW, ''The Vampire Diaries'' came back from an eight-week break to get affordable amounts (1.4/4 in 18-49, 3.two million audiences overall), matching its best women 18-34 score of year (2.3/7) and rising 14% in 18-34 versus. its last original (1.6 versus. 1.4). Also back was rookie drama ''The Secret Circle'' (.8/2 in 18-49, 2.a million audiences overall), consistent with its recent shipping.Next Thursday might find the series premieres of CBS comedy ''Rob'' (set for ''Rules of Engagement'') and Fox drama ''The Finder'' (changing ''Bones'') along with the return of NBC's ''30 Rock'' in the new 8 o'clock timeslot and also the new-evening debut from the net's ''Up All Night'' (changing ''Whitney'' at 9:30).Preliminary 18-49 earnings for that evening: ABC, 3.3/9 CBS, 2.3/6 Univision, 1.5/4 Fox and CW, 1.1/3 NBC, .8/2.As a whole audiences: ABC, 9.5 million CBS, 9.3 million Fox, 4.six million Univision, 3.six million CW, 2.six million NBC, 2.3 million. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com