Hannigan to be in Hewitt Sitcom on ABC

[Pavan]

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" star Alyson Hannigan is back "In the Game."

The actress has joined the cast of Jennifer Love Hewitt's midseason ABC sitcom from Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah ("Life as We Know It"). The series, for which a pilot was shot last year, is undergoing several major changes as production on the first episode prepares to get under way.

Judah said Hannigan will play Hewitt's assistant, who also happens to be her best friend since junior high school. "She's someone who'll have a quarter-life crisis, quitting law school to become an assistant and enjoying having no real responsibility," scribe said.

Casting Hannigan was key because the two producers "wanted someone who could carry her own storylines," Sachs said, rather than serve as what Judah calls "the typical loser best friend who listens to (someone else's) problems."

Paula Cale, who appeared in the pilot as Hewitt's assistant, has left the project due to the change in her character.

The role represents Hannigan's first series gig since "Buffy" ended its run. She is also known for her work in the "American Pie" feature trilogy. She also had a failed sitcom pilot this past season for NBC, which never made it to the air.

As for "Game," Sachs and Judah are working on several other changes:

* Ed O'Neill, who played Hewitt's boss in the pilot, will now also be her father. He'll play a "Monday Night Football" producer who, after 20 years on the road, takes a job running his daughter's cable sports net.

"The show's now more about a father and daughter trying to re-establish their relationship," Sachs said.

* Instead of being set at ABC sister cabler ESPN, laffer will now take place at an upstart sports cabler called In the Game.

* Producers have written a new character into the show, a Diane Sawyer-like reporter. Casting is expected soon.

Look for the series this mid-season on ABC, day and time still to be determined. The eeries will most likely debut in March.

[Pavan]

Alyson Hannigan won't be joining ABC's upcoming Jennifer Love Hewitt laffer "In the Game" after all. Instead, the role will be filled by Sara Gilbert ("Roseanne"), who will guest star in the role.

Gilbert has had recent guest turns on "ER" and "24."

[Dean Winchester]

even tho I would've loved to have seen her on this show, I'm glad she didn't join after all.

After seven seasons as a supporting character, I'd rather Alyson headline her next tv series, she deserves it

[Buffy_Rules16]

Yeh I agree with you!