'Modern Family' is adding more Pepper -- otherwise known as the hilarious Nathan Lane -- to its award-winning comedy recipe.

According to TV Guide, Lane will reprise his role in a spring episode. "Mitch and Cam go out for a boys night with Pepper and a bunch of their other gay friends," according to Steve Levitan, executive producer of 'Modern Family.'

Look for Jay to wind up at the party. "We're having a lot of fun playing with Nathan, and this will be a very funny use of him," Levitan said.

In other casting news ...

• Jean-Ralphio Ben Schwartz has landed a pilot. The 'Parks & Recreation' and former 'Undercovers' actor will star opposite Don Cheadle and Josh Lawson in the Showtime pilot 'House of Lies.' Cheadle plays Marty, a "self-loathing, highly successful management consultant." Schwartz will play a member of Cheadle's character's team. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Jeffrey Dean Morgan is in final talks to star in Starz's 'Magic City.' The 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Watchmen' actor will play the owner of one of Miami's famous hotels. [Deadline Hollywood]

• 'The View' co-host Sherri Shepherd will appear in a new pilot. Sadly, it's not '30 Rock''s fictional 'Queen of Jordan.' Shepherd will appear opposite Christine Taylor in TV Land's workplace sitcom. Shepherd will play the office drama queen. [Deadline Hollywood]

If any of you Hickey fans were hoping that the show might live on in cable, it's time for me to shatter all your hopes and dreams like that first girl who told you you just weren't all that. The truth hurts. It looks like the producers couldn't make the numbers work, so new episodes of My Name Is Earl won't be coming to TBS after all. I'm of mixed feelings about this now. I really enjoyed the show for the most part, but now that I have some distance from it, I don't think I'll be too shattered if it's gone.

I'm not sure I like this news. The television reporter at the Washington Post is reporting that every episode of My Name is Earl will not be about checking something off his list. According to Lisa de Moraes, the writers/creators felt confined by the format and only stuck with it to see if they could get through the first season (and be renewed). Apparently, some episodes will have nothing to do with the list. The Post reporter doesn't say what the other episodes will be about. The writing on the show is definitely hilarious but I kind of liked the gimmick of Earl having to cross something off his list each week. Although, I can see how that would get old after a few seasons. Guess we'll have to see what they come up with. See how I talked myself off the edge?

How do you feel about this change?

Ethan Suplee (pronounced soo-PLEE) plays lovable Randy Hickey on the NBC hit comedy, My Name is Earl. He has a long list of movie roles, including three Kevin Smith movies and a cameo in the upcoming Clerks II, roles in American History X, Without a Paddle, Cold Mountain, Butterfly Effect and the newly released Art School Confidential. Ahead of tonight's season finale, Ethan took some time to talk to me about the first season of Earl, antics on the set, and about a certain cat he let out of the bag regarding an extra episode on the upcoming Earl DVD.

He has the pox! Production for My Name is Earl was halted over the weekend because Jason Lee has red, itchy spots all over his body. So far, no one else in the cast or on the production crew has chicken pox. NBC says Jason is pretty miserable and highly contagious, so he'll be out of commission for several weeks.

Of course, show creator Greg Garcia had a great comment about Jason's misery. He said, "I saw him shake Charlie Sheen's hand at the Golden Globes, and the next morning he woke up with bumps all over him."