bobby cannavale

Jeremy Piven was unavailable this time around, busy as he is playing Ari in Entourage, so writer/producer Rob Thomas went in another direction. Taller, by four inches. Thomas has chosen Bobby Cannavale for the title role in Cupid for ABC.

Cannavale, an Emmy-award winner for his guest turn on Will & Grace as Vince, will be Trevor Hale in Cupid. He's described as manic and charming and firmly believing in the fact that he is the real Roman god of love, Cupid. His mission is to make 100 love matches so he can earn the right to leave Earth and return to Mount Olympus. ABC is behind this new pilot, an updated version of Thomas' 1998 Cupid that didn't make it past season one.

Catherine Bell (JAG) and Gary Cole (aka 'Lumbergh' on Office Space) have joined the cast of the CBS pilot Company Town, a drama about government agents who live in the same neighborhood. Already on board for the pilot are Sherry Stringfield (ER) and Blair Underwood (LA Law). You don't have to wait for next fall to see Cole on television, he'll reappear on some of the final episodes of The West Wing.

Mercedes Ruehl has joined the untitled Paul Reiser comedy pilot for CBS, about a man who takes over the family car dealership in Queens, NY. In 1991, Ruehl won an Academy award for her supporting role in The Fisher King. Ruehl joins castmates Bobby Cannavale (Will & Grace) and Hector Elizondo (Chicago Hope).