Ethan Hawke and Vincent D'Onofrio: the new dynamic duo?

According to Deadline, the two will star in and produce 'Blue Tilt,' a cop drama from writer/producer Chris Brancato. NBC has reportedly snapped up the project.

Hawke and D'Onofrio will play homicide detectives. One is married, one is divorced, and their family issues will go along with the police cases. Deadline reports the title, 'Blue Tilt,' is a reference to a police term about officers who deal with brutal crimes and are later deemed a danger to themselves and put under observation.

In other casting news ...

'Life Unexpected' star Britt Robertson is staying in The CW family as a lead on the network's new pilot, 'Secret Circle.'

According to Entertainment Weekly, Robertson's casting in the drama series is in second position, behind 'Life Unexpected,' though it's not specified what part she'll play. The CW has not officially made a final decision on the fate of 'Life Unexpected,' but with a "complete series" DVD set being released soon, all signs point to its cancellation.

'Secret Circle' is based on L.J. Smith's novels about a young woman who moves to a new town and finds out she's a witch. Not only is she a witch, but she's part of a secret coven and is the key to the battle between good and evil.

In other casting news ...

• Aaron Ashmore has joined the cast of 'Warehouse 13.' The 'Smallville' actor will play Steve Jinks, a new ATF agent who can tell when people are lying. Ashmore will be a series regular. [EW]

• Christina Applegate on 'The Office'? If she gets her way! 'The Office' star Jenna Fischer and Applegate are cooking up plots to get Applegate on the hit NBC series. [E! Online]

• Rachael Harris has joined Mike O'Malley in 'Family Album.' Harris will play wife to O'Malley's Dave. The series follows a family on their vacation. [Deadline Hollywood]

Tricia Helfer has booked a guest spot on an upcoming episode of 'Two and a Half Men.' The 'Battlestar Galactica' alum will play a close friend of Charlie's fiancee, Chelsea, who crashes at the Harper house after a bad breakup. Helfer's guest spot will air Nov. 16 on CBS. [Ausiello Files]

(more headlines after the jump)

Yesterday, Leno mocked "Cash for Clunkers" by mocking up a "Cash for Flunkers" video. Tonight he tapped the same well with a "Cash for Chunkers" joke. I guess that's common in the late night arena, but I've never been a fan of using the same exact set-up on different nights to get a different joke. Unless you acknowledge how weak it is when you do it.

Tonight's correspondent was The Hangover's Rachael Harris, who came on to show us the lost art of bartering in this tough economic times. Like most of the other correspondent segments, it had some funny moments, but it just seemed to go on forever.

This clip from Funny or Die had me laughing out loud several times. It's called Hostage: A Love Story, and stars Heroes' Zachary Quinto as a guy trying to rob a restaurant. It really throws the whole "crazed gunman takes a hostage" story for a loop. You'll see the ending coming, but it's still a very effective short film.

By the way, the police were called twice during the filming of this because they thought Quinto was a real crook.

If Judy Greer was in tears about Miss Guided not being picked up by ABC for the fall schedule, she can wipe her eyes and blow her nose because something else -- maybe better -- has come along. Greer has been cast as the lead in HBO's Suburban Shootout. This is the same comedy that has already been announced with Kelly Preston, Rachael Harris (Notes from the Underbelly) and Kerri Kenney (Reno 911).

The comedy pilot is being directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, best known for features like Men in Black and Addams Family (I'll be kind and not harp on The Wild, Wild West), but on TV is one of the prime players behind ABC's Pushing Daisies (as well as Notes from the Underbelly which is the connection to Rachael). So, you see, Judy may have landed in a project that's bound for glory. Well, we'll see, but it does sound interesting.

ABC is cowering in fear. Ok, all of the networks are (rightfully) cowering in fear from the ratings behemoth that is American Idol. This time it's the new comedy, Notes From the Underbelly, that is being shifted to stay out of Ryan Seacrest's path.

The comedy, about a couple expecting a baby and dodging crazy advice from friends and family, has been moved from Wednesdays at 9:30 pm to Thursdays at 10 pm after Grey's Anatomy. The move is in response to Idol's announcement this week that it will expand its results shows to one hour, starting April 11th. Now, Notes From the Underbelly will premiere with back-to-back episodes on April 12th instead of April 11th.

Giving a comedy the 10 pm time slot, even if its lead-in is Grey's Anatomy, is a terrible idea. From the promos, it does not look like a prime time show. Let's face it: ten o'clock is the hour for sex and violence. Underbelly looks like it belongs in the 8 o'clock hour (or not on television at all, if you ask Joel).