Adrian Pasdar and Michael Imperioli have joined the cast of Doug Ellin's '40.'

The comedy about middle-aged men also stars Ed Burns and Michael Rapaport.

The single-camera comedy follows four lifelong friends as they navigate their 40s. Burns plays a married man and father who used to well-off, but hasn't worked in almost a year. According to Deadline, Rapaport's character is a married "neurotic everyman." 'Sopranos' veteran Imperioli plays a single man who isn't shy about self-promoting and Pasdar will play a Wall Street millionaire.

Susan Misner will play Burns' wife.

In other casting news ...

(S01E01) "Are we supposed to love this job or hate it?" - Dylan Hewitt

I like this show! Let's face it. Grey's Anatomy is dying, and The Deep End is Grey's Anatomy (the early years, that is), only with lawyers. It's got plenty of snappy dialogue, romantic sparks, inter-office power struggles, handsome people in nice clothes, office sex, Black-Eyed Peas tunes and cupcakes! What's not to love?

ABC's newest Thursday night drama, 'The Deep End,' takes the sex, romance and friendships of 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Private Practice' out of the hospital, and sets them in a law firm instead.

With Billy Zane as Cliff, the big bad boss they call the Prince of Darkness, and Tina Majorino as Addy, the frazzled first year who's eager to please, the two are complete opposites on the show -- and, apparently, in real life, too. "I'm most like Addy," Majorino admits. For Zane, it's a toss-up between his character and ... the receptionist?

Watch our interview to find out what to expect from the show (premieres Jan. 21, 8PM ET), and what show the stars are watching -- or should be watching -- on TV.

The cast of ABC's 'The Deep End' gathered to talk about power mad bosses, bonding over BBQ, and who the biggest bloodsuckers are: vampires or lawyers.

Billy Zane, Matt Long, Tina Majorino, Leah Pipes, Mehcad Brooks and Ben Lawson sat down for our cameras to answer fan questions about how 'The Deep End' is different from other lawyer shows.

You've got questions? I've got answers. I'm The Show Girl!

This week, I have a preview of ABC's new legal dramedy 'The Deep End' -- which is sort of like 'Grey's Anatomy' at a law firn -- straight from stars Billy Zane and Tina Majorino. I also get funny lady Aisha Tyler to beg another 'Arrested Development' alum (they already have two!) to come on her new animated comedy 'Archer.'

Then there's Katee Sackhoff. She's officially my new favorite actress, and now she's on '24,' but her answer to my sort of controversial 'Nip/Tuck' question -- why did they get all soap opera-y and keep your character but replace you with Rose McGowan? -- is equal parts lovely and hilarious.

Want more? Email me TV questions at TheTVShowGirl@aol.com -- who knows, I might just give you an answer on the show. Now watch, enjoy and come back next week for more. Until then, happy TV watching! -- By Maggie Furlong

Television's legal drama waters will soon be teeming with new sharks when ABC's 'The Deep End' premieres on Jan. 21.

The new series focuses on five young and ambitious associates who join one of the most prestigious law firms in Los Angeles -- and quickly learn just how cutthroat this new world really is.

Billy Zane stars as one of the firm's top partners, with Matt Long, Leah Pipes, Tina Majorino, Ben Lawson and Mehcad Brooks rounding out the cast as the associates. On Tue., Jan. 12, we'll be interviewing them about the show with your questions.

Fans of ABC's FlashForward were a little surprised when it was announced at the end of the most recent episode that the show was going on a four month hiatus (plus the network has cut the episode order). Here's a preview of the new show that's going to replace it for a while.

It's called The Deep End and it's about a law students fighting for a spot at a big law firm. It debuts on January 21.

Earlier this year we told you about the new version of The Phantom that Syfy (back then it was still called Sci-Fi - remember that?) was making, and now we have our first sneak peek of the miniseries, with Ryan Carnes as the title hero.

I interviewed Bruce Campbell several years ago, and he told me that he auditioned for the role that eventually went to Billy Zane in the 90s version. What a different movie that would have been.

[via io9.com]

Samantha Who? is going to be a trivia question one day. What was the name of that comedy on ABC that got good reviews and pretty good ratings and people seemed to like it and then ABC canceled it? Of course, that could probably describe quite a few shows the past several years, but I think the cancellation of Samantha Who? surprised a lot of people when ABC had their upfront a couple of months ago. Now they're doubling up on episodes this summer.

Billy Zane (pictured) has done some TV over the years -- Twin Peaks, Boston Public, and Charmed, for example -- but I think of him more as a movie star. In fact, he has four movies in the works right now -- 4Chosen; Mama, I Want to Sing!; The Hessen Affair; and Love N' Dancing.

But hold the phone, because like so many other movies stars, Zane has signed on for a TV pilot. He'll star opposite Teri Polo in ABC's Finnegan. The show revolves around the organized crime/vice unit in Los Angeles, led by a tough female detective named Finnegan (Polo). Zane will play Deputy D.A. Brian Clark. Because, you know, we don't have enough crime drama shows on the air right now.

Teri Polo, meanwhile, has also done plenty of TV and movies. You might remember her from Northern Exposure, Felicity, The Practice and The West Wing. Upcoming movies include Two:Thirteen, Material Lies, The Beacon and Little Fockers (the third installment of the Focker franchise).

Just like writers, I guess it's good for actors to diversify and not have all their eggs in one basket. Gigs come and go, and the acting world is one heck of a fickle business.