TV/STREAMING . . .

Katherine Heigl Cast as Lead in CBS Comedy Pilot Our House. Heigl's got herself a new starring role. The current Suits star will lead and executive produce the CBS pilot Our House, opposite Timeless' Malcolm Barrett. The multi-cam comedy is about a married couple, Shawn (Barrett) and Bridget (Heigl) who are committed to raising their kids with the love and support Bridget never got as a kid but discover how difficult that is when they've moved into her childhood home, with her insane parents and siblings back in the picture. Per Deadline, Shawn is a therapist, and Bridget tries her best to be as laid-back and progressive as he is, but often finds herself reverting to the old school style of her parents and now has to find a balance between these wildly different parenting styles. This is Heigl's first role in a TV comedy, and one of few TV roles Heigl has taken. She's currently on Suits, starred in CBS' Doubt in 2017, NBC's State of Affairs in 2014, and of course, Grey's Anatomy until 2010. She was also the original Isabel Evans on the 1999 version of Roswell. (Eonline)

Mindy Kaling Heads to Netflix With Comedy Inspired By Her Childhood. Mindy Kaling is heading to Netflix. The streaming site has ordered a new coming-of-age comedy inspired by Kaling's childhood, described as a story about the complicated life of a modern-day first generation Indian American teenage girl. Kaling will serve as executive producer and showrunner alongside Lang Fisher, who wrote for The Mindy Project and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The project also finds Kaling reteaming with EP Howard Klein, who worked on The Office, The Mindy Project, and Parks and Recreation, as well as David Miner, known for 30 Rock and Master of None. "I'm joining the Netflix fam!" Kaling Tweeted. "[Lang Fisher] and I are working on a brand-new Netflix TV comedy about the life of a modern-day first generation Indian American teenage girl. Get ready for lots of relatable, awkward teen moments. More coming soon!" Kaling has written about her relatable, awkward teen years in her books, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me and Other Concerns and Why Not Me? and it definitely seems like she's got a lot of material to work from. The currently untitled show is just the latest highly anticipated project for Kaling, who just debuted her critically acclaimed movie Late Night, starring Emma Thompson as a late night TV host and Kaling as one of her writers, at Sundance. Plus, she's turning the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral into an anthology series at Hulu, all through her current deal at Universal TV. (Eonline)

Pauly D and Vinny's A Double Shot at Love Preview Is Full of Cute Chicks. It's time for Pauly D and Vinny Guadagnino to stop messing around with chicks. Literally. In the exclusive teaser for a Double Shot at Love with DJ Pauly D and Vinny, the Jersey Shore Family Vacation stars are surrounded by chicks. Baby chicks. And we can't tell who we're more jealous of: the reality stars or the fluffy yellow birds. "You know what Pauly? I'm tired of messing around with all these random chicks," Vinny says in the promo below. "This one's stuck to me. It's a stalker," Pauly says. Pauly previously attempted to find love on MTV's Game of Clones. On that show, he dated Megan Fox lookalikes. The dynamic fist-pumping duo will be joined by 20 contestants who are ready to be their ride-or-dies, but in this show the ladies have the power. While the boys decide who stays and goes, the women get to decide who they're competing for. Right now, Vinny and Pauly are the only two Jersey Shore stars not with a significant other (aside from Jenni "JWoww" Farley who is going through a divorce). A Double Shot at Love with DJ Pauly D and Vinny premieres with back-to-back episodes on Thursday, April 11 on MTV. This Bachelor-esque series originally ran in 2008 as a spinoff of A Shot at Love With Tequila Tequila. The first season of Double Shot at Love featured bisexual twin sisters. (Eonline)

Anthony Mackie and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II join 'Black Mirror' season 5. "Captain America: Civil War" star Anthony Mackie and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II ("Aquaman") have been cast in the upcoming fifth season of Netflix's Emmy-winning anthology sci-fi series "Black Mirror," Deadline has learned. Created and written by Charlie Brooker, each episode of "Black Mirror" employs a different cast of actors to explore themes linked to the collision of mankind with the unforgiving technology they have created. Season 4 featured episodes including space thriller "USS Callister" starring "Breaking Bad's" Jesse Plemons, rom-com "Hang The DJ," Maxine Peake-fronted black and white nightmare "Metalhead," Iceland-set "Crocodile," Jodie Foster-directed "Arkangel" and Colm McCarthy's "Black Museum." Netflix, which has been extremely quiet about the upcoming season, wouldn't comment. Mackie will next be seen in the second season of Netflix's "Altered Carbon" as the lead Takeshi Kovacs. He most recently was seen on the big screen in "Miss Bala" and "The Hate U Give." Abdul-Mateen II, last seen as Black Manta in the WB/DC Comics blockbuster film "Aquaman," is in talks to take on the lead role in MGM/Jordan Peele's "Candyman" sequel and will be seen in HBO's "Watchmen." (PageSix)

Riverdale's Version of Heathers: The Musical Had a Surprising Lack of Murder. All hail Toni Topaz and also Vanessa Morgan! We knew the entire Riverdale cast was talented, but as Toni was given a moment to shine Wednesday night, so was Vanessa Morgan. That girl can SING. And she was a very good distraction from whatever the heck is going on with this show and the dang Farm as she, through the magic of songs from Heathers: The Musical, worked to win Cheryl back. Unsurprisingly, it worked, and Choni's back as they should be. Their big reunion came in a ballad along with Betty and Jughead, which also served as Cole Sprouse's singing debut, right before he and Betty burned down the trailer his mother stole. Meanwhile, we also saw Archie and Josie go legit (into it!), and Veronica learned that her parents are separating. Our reaction to that was "It's about time!" Veronica's reaction was less understanding, despite the laundry list of crimes that have gone down between Hiram and Hermione. There was, as usual, a lot going on Wednesday night, but there was a surprising lack of one thing: murder. Heathers is filled with murder, and usually Riverdale loves a murder, but there was none tonight, even on stage. That's a curious twist we were not expecting, and actually kind of an accomplishment! Everybody lived! Instead of a shocking death like we got at the very end of last year's musical, this year's musical ended with one lone member of the audience standing up to start a creepy clap: Edgar Evernever, played by Chad Michael Murray. Until now, the cult leader has only been spoken about and not seen, but it's clear now that the Farm has taken over all of Riverdale, including Principal Weatherbee. As for the musical aspect, we gotta say Heathers had better songs than Carrie, but we're still a little bummed that Carrie had more murder. Why are we bummed about that, you ask? Because this show has ruined us. Riverdale airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW. (Eonline)

Natalie Morales stays on at NBC. Natalie Morales isn't going anywhere. Despite reports that Morales has been fired from "Access Hollywood," Page Six has learned she will remain at NBC. "This is not true," an "Access" executive told Page Six on Wednesday. "Natalie has not been fired. She is and will continue to be a huge part of the NBC family. Our new EP will start next week." A separate source also confirmed to us that Morales, 46, will keep her position as the West Coast correspondent for the "Today" show. "Access" Executive Producer Rob Silverstein is leaving the morning show after 20 years, Variety reported. He's set to be replaced by "Hot Bench" alumnus Maureen FitzPatrick. A report this week claimed Morales was let go from the entertainment show and would be replaced by Mario Lopez, who currently works on "Extra." Lopez's news show is set to move to Fox from NBC in fall 2019. NBC carefully worded its statement as we're told Morales will "likely" be leaving "Access" and Lopez will "likely" be joining the show. When reached for comment by Page Six, Lopez's rep simply stated, "Mario is the host of 'Extra.'" A rep for Fox didn't immediately return our request for comment. (PageSix)

Tamron Hall demanded more women on her ABC talk show staff. Tamron Hall had some demands for her upcoming ABC talk show. "When I came to [an early] meeting to discuss my new show .?.?. there were only men in the room," she told the audience at Rolling Stone's Women Shaping the Future brunch Wednesday. "And I had to say, 'Sorry to tell you, but we are going to have a lot of women on staff. Sorry, but I don't want to just talk to you men all day. We need some women in here.'" Meanwhile, Hall revealed earlier this month that, at 48 years old, she's pregnant. She said she's received a lot of support online -- but she's also received some hurtful criticism from Instagram users because of her age. Hall's new self-titled show premieres Sept. 9. (PageSix)

Peppa Pig is being slammed as "sexist" by London Fire Brigade who claims the cartoon discouraged young girls from becoming firefighters. Over the weekend, the London fire department criticized the British cartoon, which centers around Peppa and her many adventures, for using language that promotes gender stereotypes. "Come on @peppapig, we've not been fireman for 30 years. You have a huge influence on kids & using out of date stereotypical gender specific wording [that] prevents young girls from becoming firefighters." The message from London Fire Brigade was in response to clip of an episode of Peppa Pig titled "The Fire Engine." In the scene, Peppa's mother can be seen dressed as a firefighter, however, she is referred to as a "fireman." London Fire also called out Fireman Sam -- which follows Sam as he protects his town against fires -- after a social media user pointed out that it does feature a female character named Penny. Natural beauty comes from a healthy lifestyle and proper skincare regimens -- so you can help your body produce that natural glow. "Sadly Penny's involvement in the show is completely devalued by the constant use of the outdated term fireman in the catchy theme tune, title and on all merchandise. Language matters," London Fire tweeted. David Jones, the Fireman Sam's creator, told BBC that the show "wasn't meant to be advertised as a recruiting post." "Someone doesn't join the fire service when they watch Fireman Sam," Jones told the outlet. "They wouldn't be the right people for the job if that was their mentality." London Fire's criticism of the children's cartoons comes amid their #FirefightingSexism campaign. On March 16, the rescue service shared a photo of a Barbie doll wearing a firefighter uniform. "Great to have another supporter in our #FirefightingSexism campaign. Welcome Barbie! She's coming to the rescue, helping girls & boys to imagine everything they can become by joining the Brigade, in our new gold kit too." Earlier this month, London Fire revealed it currently employs 354 female firefighters, CNN reported. Peppa Pig has not addressed London Fire's criticism and a rep for the show did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. The cartoon made headlines last month after parents on social media spoke out on their non-British children developing an accent after watching Peppa Pig, dubbing it #PeppaEffect. "I just read an article about American parents saying that their children are developing a British accent because they're watching Peppa Pig. I just have to say that it's true. J still has her accent sometimes with certain words & I honestly love it. Lol," one parent wrote on Twitter. "It's so true this #PeppaEffect," another admitted. "I have [been] trying to teach my daughter hindi. She is 4yrs old. But she still is not able to make sentences in hindi but can speak English very well in British accent." (People)

Stormzy Joins BBC's 'Noughts & Crosses,' Exec Produced by Participant, Jay-Z's Roc Nation. The TV drama is an adaptation of Malorie Blackman's award-winning book series and is set in an alternate world of racial divide. British musician Stormzy has joined the cast of Noughts & Crosses, the TV adaptation of Malorie Blackman's award-winning young adult book series. The grime artist will play newspaper editor Kolawale, a character created for the TV drama, which is being produced by Poldark banner Mammoth Screen for the BBC, with Participant Media and Jay-Z's Roc Nation exec producing. "As a diehard fan of Malorie's novels, being a part of this important show is a dream come true," said Stormzy, whose debut album Gang Signs & Prayer became the first grime record to reach number one on the U.K. album charts. Noughts & Crosses follows two young people divided by their colour in an alternate world where there is a ruling class of people of African descent and white people suffer discrimination and prejudice. Jack Rowan (Peaky Blinders) will play Callum McGregor and newcomer Masali Baduza has been cast as Sephy Hadley. Other cast include Helen Baxendale, Paterson Joseph and Ian Hart. "The first time I met Stormzy he informed me he was a huge fan of my Noughts and Crosses series of books," said Blackman. "I'm thrilled he will now be a part of the Noughts + Crosses TV production. It's so exciting!" Added exec producer Preethi Mavahalli: "As an icon of black British culture, we are honored to have Stormzy play a part in this adaptation of a novel he's such a fan of." Mammoth Screen is part of ITV Studios. International distribution of Noughts & Crosses is being handled by ITV Studios Global Entertainment. Roc Nation will handle the show's soundtrack. (Hollywood Reporter)

Online Video Subscribers Outnumber Cable Subs for First Time. Americans now spend 52 percent of their media time on a digital platform, the MPAA said. The number of global subscriptions to online video services like Netflix and Amazon Prime surpassed cable TV for the first time in 2018, according to data released Thursday by the MPAA. Worldwide, the streaming services added 131.2 million new subscribers for a total of 613.3 million. Comparatively, cable subscriptions fell 2 percent to 556 million. Despite the larger number of subscribers, cable remains the highest revenue generator in worldwide video, followed by satellite TV then streaming, with digital terrestrial television and Internet protocol TV bringing up the rear. Also, the MPAA said sales of DVDs and Blu-ray discs plummeted 15 percent in the U.S. in 2018 while streaming soared 24 percent, leading to a 12 percent gain in total home video revenue to $23.3 billion domestically. Americans now spend 52 percent of their media time on a digital platform, the MPAA said. Globally, home entertainment revenue grew by 16 percent in 2018 to $55.7 billion, with physical discs making up just $13.1 billion of the total. Due to the tremendous growth in streaming, home entertainment has been surging for four years even though rentals and sales of discs have been quickly falling. Globally, home entertainment revenue was at $39.1 billion in 2015; $43 billion in 2016; $48.1 billion in 2017; and $55.7 billion in 2018. The MPAA also disclosed that the top-selling movie on DVD and Blu-ray disc in the U.S. was Black Panther in 2018, followed by The Greatest Showman, Star Wars Episode VII: The Last Jedi, Coco and Avengers: Infinity War. Online viewing of TV shows in the U.S. surged to 170.6 billion views in 2018 from 138.3 billion in 2017, while movies grew to 11.5 billion views from 8.9 billion a year earlier. (Hollywood Reporter)

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