The writing had been on the wall for a while, and Spike executives began quietly telling agents over the past couple of weeks that the network is getting out of the scripted business, at least for the time being. One of the network’s 2 scripted executives, Laurence Sullivan, has already departed to join Conan…

Megan Hilty has joined the cast of NBC’s drama pilot Smash, which was based on an idea by Steven Spielberg. The pilot, from DreamWorks TV and UMS, follows a cross section of characters who come together to put on a Marilyn Monroe musical on Broadway led by the musical’s composer Tom and lyricist Julia (Debra Messing)…

Playing with Guns has been picked up to pilot… again. The project, which shot a pilot for Spike TV last year but didn’t make the cut to series, has now been greenlighted by another Viacom network, Comedy Central. Back is star Danny Masterson and producers Varsity Pictures and Lionsgate TV as well as writers Bob…

EXCLUSIVE: As part of its push in scripted comedy, Spike TV ordered two half-hour pilots earlier this year, Back Nine and Playing with Guns. After seeing the completed pilots, the cable network has decided to pass on both. While this is rare, it’s not unprecedented. Last year, Showtime passed on all 4 pilots it…