Casting News: New Scrabble Host, Kaia Gerber in Ryan Murphy Series and More
Comedian Craig Ferguson is taking over as host of The CW's Scrabble, replacing Raven-Symoné, who will remain an executive producer on the recently renewed game show.
Both Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit, hosted by LeVar Burton, have been picked up for 30-episode second seasons to air in 2026 on The CW.
More from TVLine
Shark Tank Says an Emotional Goodbye to Mark Cuban - Will You Still Watch Without Him?
Casting News: Ernie Hudson Joins Boston Blue, Elle Adds Van Der Beek and More
Michael J. Fox Joins Shrinking Season 3, Marking His First TV Role in 5 Years and Reunion With Bill Lawrence
'We are excited to continue growing family game night on The CW by bringing a supersized order of 30 new episodes of both Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble to the network next year,' Heather Olander, Head of Unscripted Programming for The CW, said in a statement. 'The one and only LeVar Burton is back as host for Trivial Pursuit, and we welcome superstar comedian Craig Ferguson to The CW family as the new host of Scrabble. We are also incredibly grateful and lucky that Raven-Symoné will continue to work with us as executive producer of the series.'
Added Ferguson: 'I'm cock-a-hoop to be hosting Scrabble. I've wanted to do this show ever since I found out the letters of my name can be used to spell Cougar Fingers.'
In other recent casting news…
* Kaia Gerber (Overcompensating, American Horror Story) will star in Ryan Murphy's series adaptation of the Bret Easton Ellis prep school thriller novel The Shards, which is in early development at FX, our sister site Deadline reports.
* Leslie Mann (Knocked Up) and Gabrielle Union (Truth Be Told, Being Mary Jane) are being eyed to star in the Strangers On a Train-esque thriller series Strangers, which is in development at Peacock, per Deadline.
* Hallmark Channel's Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story will star Holland Roden (Teen Wolf), Matthew Daddario (Shadowhunters), Tony Danza (Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Who's the Boss?), Tracy Pollan (Family Ties), Caroline Aaron (Ghosts, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Steve Schirripa (Blue Bloods, The Sopranos) and Patti Murin (Broadway's Frozen, Chicago Med). Premiering during this year's Countdown to Christmas, the movie will also feature Buffalo Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott, Running Back Ray Davis, Safety Damar Hamlin, Offensive Tackle Dion Dawkins, Tight End Dawson Knox, Long Snapper Reid Ferguson, Defensive Tackle DeWayne Carter and Wide Receiver Joshua Palmer, plus Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly, former teammates Steve Tasker, Thurman Thomas, Scott Norwood and Andre Reed, Bills play-by-play announcer Chris Brown and broadcast journalist/die-hard Bills fan Tim Russert's son, Luke Russert.
Hit the comments with your thoughts on the above castings!
Best of TVLine
Stars Who Almost Played Other TV Roles — on Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, Lost, Gilmore Girls, Friends and Other Shows
TV Stars Almost Cast in Other Roles
Fall TV Preview: Who's In? Who's Out? Your Guide to Every Casting Move!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Notes from latest Buffalo Bills OTA session: Josh Allen, James Cook among those absent
The Buffalo Bills are back on the practice field at One Bills Drive this week as the team continues working through Organized Team Activities (OTAs). Tuesday was the lone session this week with media in attendance, which revealed a bit more than is typical of these practices. Here's what we learned when the rubber turf pellets settled following the latest OTA session... James Cook again not at OTAs The least surprising news of the day was that running back James Cook continues his absent streak at OTAs. Bills Mafia is well aware of Cook's situation heading into the final season of his four-year rookie contract. Cook wants to be paid from the team that drafted him before he hits free agency, and like a top back in the league whose 2024 production warranted such a tag. The tougher conversations about Cook will begin if he's not in attendance once Mandatory Minicamp begins next week. Advertisement That said, offensive coordinator Joe Brady understands the situation and isn't letting it distract the team from its offseason goals. Cook wasn't the only players missing from OTAs on Tuesday, with Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic noting that defensive back Cam Lewis and quarterback Josh Allen were both absent. As is typical of such absences, no further information was available. We do know that Josh Allen just married Hailee Steinfeld, so him missing an OTA practice or two should come as no surprise. It would seem more likely any honeymoon for the power couple happens once Allen gets an extended break following Mandatory Minicamp — but his isn't the only massively busy and important schedule to manage in this scenario, as Hailee Steinfeld continues to see her star rise as a successful Hollywood actress, singer, and fashion icon. TLDR: There's zero cause for concern about Josh Allen's absence. Plenty of Bills players listed non-participants during Tuesday's OTA These sessions are somewhere in-between a typical practices and in-season walkthrus. That means players aren't allowed to engage in football contact, but they do run drills at speed to simulate how functions of a particular play are to be executed. Among those listed as non-participants on Tuesday were defensive end Joey Bosa, right tackle Spencer Brown, linebacker Baylon Spector, and safety Damar Hamlin. Advertisement Bosa continues working through a recent calf injury, and we shouldn't expect to see him on the field until training camp — perhaps a generous timeline by the team out of an abundance of caution for his health. The move with Bosa, like Von Miller before him, will be to limit his exposure to risk and also keep him on a snap count. The other names in Brown, Spector, and Hamlin are a bit surprising, with no updates to their health provided as of publishing. It's concerning to see Spector's name here given the amount of time he's already missed in his young career. Regarding Hamlin, his being sidelined could play heavily into the opportunity we've heard about regarding second-year safety Cole Bishop. Additionally, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN reported that nickel cornerback Taron Johnson was participating in a red jersey, and only in limited fashion. That's not great news but, again, it could simply be the team exercising due diligence in protecting Johnson at all costs in the offseason. Bills continue racking up injuries during Week 2 of OTAs While many are concerned about Bosa's health, it's again potentially a situation of the team being overly cautious during a point when they can afford to do it. We of course can't know if Bosa would practice or suit up were this training camp or the regular season, but we understand it's something the team doesn't feel the need to rush him through to avoid missing key work at the moment. Advertisement Yet Bosa is no longer the only concern. Alex Brasky reported that wide receiver Joshua Palmer left the field with what 'appeared to be a lower body injury.' After spending time with medical trainers in the field house, Palmer did return to the practice field with teammates. Hopefully it's a situation that doesn't linger for Palmer, who like so many other receivers on the team, undoubtedly benefits from every available snap right now, no matter who's throwing the football. Do the Bills have a brewing LB controversy brewing? Many will ask that very question, but I believe the answer is 'no.' Yes, linebacker Dorian Williams has 'shined' in sessions open to media, as noted by Alex Brasky, but it shouldn't come as any surprise. Nor should it surprise anyone if his continued development comes at the expense of snaps for veteran linebacker Matt Milano. Milano has endured a brutal stretch of injury and the hope is that he's in the clear now and able to stay on the field. But Father Time is undefeated, and Milano's losing ground on that front. It may seem unfair for a guy in Milano who's played his tail off since day one, but Williams could find himself back in a starter's role during 2025 regardless of '58's' health. Catching up with Bills players and coaches on the mic If you didn't get to listen in during Tuesday's media availability, below are the full press conferences for defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, offensive coordinator Joe Brady, special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, plus cornerbacks Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson, as well as safety Taylor Rapp. Advertisement DC Bobby Babich Bills Mafia already knows Bobby Babich is an engaging, often fun interview. Babich is a genuine football guy, someone very excited to talk about the players under his direction — from both their on-field work and ability, to their intangibles and what they bring to the table has people away from football. Babich gave the press a generous 23 minutes of his time, and he covered a lot of ground. Make sure to set aside some time to hear all Babich had to say, from rookies to veteran players, during Tuesday's media session — embedded below. OC Joe Brady Joe Brady was his usual conversational self, fully in the moment with reporters and ready to respond to any question posed before him. Brady covered a ton of topics in the 18 minutes he spent with members of the media on Tuesday, so be sure to catch up with his entire press conference below. STC Chris Tabor Catch up with all new special teams coordinator Chris Tabor had to say, including what he learned during a season away from coaching in 2024, how he sees returns changing in 2025, the competition at punter and lots more. You can watch his full press conference via the embedded video below. CB Tre'Davious White Pleasantly, White really appears back to his old self. It's arguable that Tre' White never really left the Bills in 2024, if you listen to the excited way he talks about last season's team when asked if anyone's ability has surprised him since returning. 'Did you see our offense last year? [eyes fluttering] Did you see the MVP?' [huge smile]' Advertisement ...before continuing to note how impressive it is for Allen to have won MVP and the team get to within one game of the Super Bowl. White did draw attention to wide receiver Khalil Shakir's game, stating 'his after catch, the way he attacked the ball and just not dropping anything; hands of Velcro, man White had plenty more to offer, so be sure to check out his full presser below. CB Dane Jackson Dane Jackson chats with the media about returning to the Bills, his role with the team, and what he's observed about the defense and teammates since hitting the field at One Bills Drive. S Taylor Rapp Hear what Taylor Rapp had to say in a quick sideline interview with members of the media. More from
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Josh Allen Catches Stray In Eagles Legend's Tirade
Josh Allen Catches Stray In Eagles Legend's Tirade originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is the reigning league MVP and one of the best quarterbacks in football. No one can truly deny that. Advertisement What they can argue, though, is his placement among the best quarterbacks in the league. Just ask recently retired two-time Super Bowl champion Brandon Graham. Graham took offense to Pro Football Focus' latest quarterback rankings that had Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts fifth, and Allen at second behind Patrick Mahomes. And Graham spoke on WIP to make sure his voice was heard. "You've got Josh Allen who's been to the (AFC Championship) every year but just can't seem to beat Mahomes," Graham said. "You know what I'm saying? He can't seem to beat Mahomes. But, that boy Jalen had been to the Super Bowl. Advertisement "That boy Jalen Hurts came back and went to the Super Bowl again when Josh Allen definitely hasn't even been able to sniff it and it's like okay. They just like who they like, man." Allen catching a stray from Graham is quite funny. The longest-tenured Eagle in franchise history is one of the only players in franchise history to win multiple titles. His latest came in Super Bowl LIX - a game that Hurts outplayed Mahomes to win MVP. Is that enough to knock off Allen in the case of Hurts? Most analysts will say no. But it is hard to argue with his results in the regular season. If Hurts can keep winning Super Bowls over players like Allen, then Graham's remarks won't just be an outlier, they will be the normal way of thinking. Advertisement Related: Chip Kelly vs. Ashton Jeanty Gives Eagles Fans Bad News Flashback Related: Eagles Impacted By Two Major NFL Retirement Updates This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
California Senate Approves Film & TV Tax Credits Bill
In a near-unanimous vote, the California Senate today passed its version of legislation aimed at expanding and retooling the state's Film and Television Tax Credit Program. The vote on Senate Bill 630 was 34-1, with the only nay coming from Sen. Roger Niello, who represents the city of Sacramento and surrounding areas. The bill (read it here) now moves on to the state Assembly. More from Deadline Show Us The Money: When Can Productions Expect To Reap Benefits Of California's Proposed $750M Film & TV Tax Credit Expansion? SAG-AFTRA's 'Here's Looking At You L.A.' & Mayor Karen Bass Push For State & Federal Tax Incentives To Get Hollywood Working Again Sweetened New York Production Incentives A Go As State Budget Passes Along with Assembly Bill 1138 — which passed the Appropriations Committee last month — the legislation would expand the definition of a qualified motion picture, allowing additional projects to apply for the program, including series with episodes averaging 20 minutes or more, animation films, series, and shorts, and large-scale competition shows. After years of strife for the California film and television industry, Gov. Gavin Newsom in October proposed a significant increase to the overall cap on incentives, more than doubling it from $330 million to $750M annually. SB630 and AB1138 seek to do more than just provide additional finance incentives to studios who bring physical production back to California. The sister bills also are meant to 'amend, update, and modernize' the program. The legislation comes amid the latest spurt of runaway production as other states ramp up their film and TV tax incentives programs in an effort to lure production away from California. New York last month passed a state budget that includes expanded incentives. RELATED: Also getting Hollywood's attention is President Donald Trump's bombshell announcement of planned tariffs on movies produced outside the U.S., which were decried many in the industry, along with Newsom, who said Trump has 'no authority' to impose the tariffs. Here is how the voting on SB630 went: Best of Deadline 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More Everything We Know About 'Nobody Wants This' Season 2 So Far List Of Hollywood & Media Layoffs From Paramount To Warner Bros Discovery To CNN & More
