Alan Alda is donning scrubs once more.

The onetime 'ER' actor has booked a guest role on Showtime's 'The Big C' as Dr. Atticus Sherman, an oncologist whom Laura Linney's Cathy consults after her first cancer treatment fails, the network announced today.

Also joining the half-hour comedy: British actor Hugh Dancy, who has signed on for a recurring part, Deadline reports.

In other TV news ...

• Remember that time Bret Michaels got hit in the head with a stage piece at the Tony Awards? Well, he's suing CBS and the show's producers for not telling him how to exit the stage properly. [THR, Esq.]

• CBS corporate synergy alert! Julie Chen and Holly Robinson Peete of 'The Talk' and Drew Carey of 'The Price is Right' will appear on each other's shows in a crossover event scheduled for next week. [EW]

• Alton Brown has signed a new three-year deal with the Food Network. The star will continue to develop and host shows as well as appear on 'The Next Food Network Star,' 'The Next Iron Chef' and 'Iron Chef America.' [Deadline]