Mindy Kaling, one of the only reasons to watch 'The Office' this season, is at work on a new animated series with 'The Office' and 'King of the Hill' executive producer Greg Daniels.

According to Deadline, she'll write, executive produce and voice a character on the series about a girls high school volleyball team.

'Parks and Recreation' producer Alan Yang is also working on a new animated project with Daniels. Yang's series is about a group of Los Angeles twentysomething guys who share a house in Hancock Park.

In other casting news ...

One of the tricks to any successful movie is the use of stunt men to protect the actors. According to Ellen Barkin on 'Chelsea Lately' (Weeknights, 11PM ET on E!), they are used for absolutely everything. Even something as innocuous as a shove requires a stunt professional.

But when it came time to choreograph a fight between her and Demi Moore for their film 'Another Happy Day,' the women told their stunt men that they could manage this one on their own.

"She didn't want to pull my hair or do any b****-girl things," Barkin said of Moore. "So she just strangled me."

Seven years ago, Ellen Barkin had one thing on her mind, and it was Craig Ferguson. But it wasn't until her appearance on 'The Late Late Show' (Weeknights, 12:37AM ET on CBS) that he knew anything about it. That's because he was the typically thick-headed male who can't read those subtle signs women give off.

Barkin said she "sidled" up to him and tried to engage him in conversation, but apparently Ferguson wasn't nibbling on the bait she was laying out there.

"Well you could have said, couldn't you?" Ferguson told her. "I mean, obviously I didn't read the signs very well."

Jason Priestley is stepping back in front of the camera to join Syfy's 'Haven.'

According to TVLine, Priestley will play Chris Weekly, an antisocial genius marine biologist. He'll have an affliction of sorts that some would call a blessing.

Priestley is signed to appear in four episodes during season 2. The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' star will also direct an episode of the Syfy series. (The series airs on Showcase in Canada.)

In other casting news ...

• Ellen Barkin has joined NBC's 'A Mann's World.' The pilot, from 'Sex and the City's' Michael Patrick King, stars Don Johnson as an aging hair stylist. Barkin will play Johnson's character's ex-wife. [Vulture]

• Paul F. Tompkins is getting his evil genius on at Comedy Central. Tompkins will write and star as Professor Tiberius Lynch, a villain who has successfully taken over the world. What happens next? How do you run Earth? Those are Professor Lynch's questions. [Deadline]

• Eddie Cibrian is replacing Jeff Hephner in the NBC drama pilot 'Playboy.' Hephner reportedly performed well in his auditions but didn't work out after the table read. [Deadline]

• Titus Welliver has been tapped to star in The CW's 'Awakening.' 'The Good Wife' and 'Lost' actor will play a zombie hunter. [TVLine]