Drew Carey *May* Return to Sitcoms...Signs Two Year Developmental Deal with CBS

[Brian Damage]

Drew Carey is expanding shop at CBS.

The comedian who hosts the network's signature daytime game show "The Price Is Right," has inked a two-year first-look production deal with CBS Television Studios (formerly CBS Paramount Network TV) for scripted and non-scripted programs.

Under the pact, Carey will shepherd projects through his CBS-based company International Mammoth TV.

Former Paramount TV executive Andrew Horne has joined IMT as senior vp and will oversee all development under Carey's deal.

In addition to exec producing, Carey is open to performing on shows his company produces. He already appears in CBS primetime as the host of "The Price is Right Million Dollar Spectaculars" specials.

CBS TV Studios president David Stapf first met Carey at Warner Bros. TV where Stapf was a PR and marketing exec and Carey was the star of the then-fledging WBTV comedy series "The Drew Carey Show."

"Drew is brilliant at tapping into what appeals to a mass audience," Stapf said. "I have always been impressed by his creativity, depth and sincerity as both a performer and a producer."

Carey, who also created the improv troupe "Drew Carey's Improv All-Stars," is repped by Gersh and Messina Baker Entertainment.

Horne most recently served as president of development for Real Time Prods., the 20th TV-based company of "24'"s Joel Surnow, Robert Cochran and Howard Gordon. He previously was vp drama development for Paramount TV where he helped develop "Philly," "Deadwood" and "NCIS."

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