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Comedian Tiffany Haddish recently disclosed an unconventional method she once used to earn money before achieving stardom in Hollywood.

During a July 29 appearance on Nick Cannon’s We Playin’ Spades podcast, Haddish, 44, shared that she previously posed as a housekeeper for Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry and attempted to sell what she claimed were Berry’s used undergarments online.

“I would pretend my name was Rosalinda and say I worked for Halle Berry,” Haddish explained. “Then I’d offer to sell her supposedly dirty underwear.” The Girls Trip star added that she would post these offers on Craigslist, typically earning around $300 per transaction.

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Haddish’s revelation came during a casual conversation with podcast host Cannon, 43, and fellow guests. The actress emphasized that this scheme occurred during a period of financial struggle before her rise to fame.

After a landmark year for female pilot directors in 2018, the 2019 season has seen further movement in representation for women behind the camera

With execs at the major broadcasters making decisions on the fate of pilots at this very moment, it’s worth noting that of the 63 pilots ordered this season across the five major broadcast networks, 25 were directed by women , or 40%.

Compare that with last 2018’s figure of 24 female-directed pilots out of 75, or 32%, and it appears that progress is continuing to be made, especially when put in context with the 2017 season which had only 9% female directors across its pilots.

The question still remains, will the progress instigated by the Time’s Up and Me Too movement and the push for female representation ever translate into full parity behind the camera on broadcast TV?

Despite two notable breakthroughs in Jade Wong and Jessica Yu, who are two of the first Asian-American...

With the network screenings wrapping up, we are heading into the final stage of pilot season when network executives take the pilots that had screened the best/tested the highest and see which of them fit into their schedules for next season. With ABC’s order Thursday of Black-ish‘s young Rainbow-centered prequel Mixed-ish kicking off the new series pickups, here is our final pilot buzz list.

The field of leading ABC drama contenders has narrowed down a bit. Staying strong after the screenings are early standouts Pi drama Stumptown starring Cobie Smulders, the soapy, John Mayer song-inspired Heart of Life, the new NYPD Blue and the untitled Hank Steinberg /50 Cent legal drama. NY Undercover also has supporters; I hear its fate might be tied to that of bubble drama The Rookie as ABC is unlikely to go for three cop dramas in these two and NYPD Blue. I...

With the WGA-Ata war fully raging, diversity discussions at the forefront of the industry and numerous new rivals entering the original-content game, there is arguably more pressure than ever on the broadcast networks to make the right call when it comes to pilot pickups.

Here’s what Variety’s insiders are saying about this season’s offerings.

ABC

On the comedy front, three female-led pilots look to charge ahead at ABC.

An untitled Hannah Simone project has enjoyed support within ABC from the start. Simone’s “Greatest American Hero” pilot at ABC last year was ultimately passed over, but she still has many supporters at the network.

Another hot prospect comes from writer Jessica Gao, fresh off an Emmy win for her work on “Rick and Morty.” Hopes for the untitled pilot are bolstered not only by Gao’s recent success but also by Brian Grazer serving as exec producer.

“New Girl” creator Liz Meriwether has signed another overall deal with 20th Century Fox TV.

The new deal comes only seven months after she signed a multi-year extension agreement with the TV studio, where she signed her first overall deal in 2014.

Meriwether’s overall is now the seventh that Twentieth Television has announced in the four weeks since the Disney acquisition went through. The other previously announced deals were with Drew Goddard, Jason Winer, Octavia Spencer, Nora Smith, Jake Kasdan & Melvin Mar, and Marlene King.

“Peter Rice, Howard Kurtzman, Jonnie Davis, and Dana Walden have been my creative partners since I was a receptionist living in New York writing a script called ‘Sluts.’ I’m so grateful and thrilled to be able to keep making television at my home studio, which now, I’m hoping, also comes with tickets to Disneyland,” Meriwether said.

She currently has multiple pieces of business with the studio,...

It’s late April. Normally at this time TV business’ attention is focused almost squarely on the broadcast pilot season as it is heading into its final stages — network pilot screenings followed by new series pickups. But this is not a normal time. With the WGA-Ata standoff completely dominating the Hollywood conversation following the mass firing of agents by writers, it has been hard for anyone to focus on pilot season. Here is what I hear is hot at the networks. Keep in mind that the information is still incomplete as not all pilots have been delivered to the networks. We will have a fuller picture at the end of next week when most of the pilots will have screened.

Pi drama Bad Alibi (fka Stumptown) starring Cobie Smulders and the untitled Hank Steinberg /50 Cent legal drama continue to be getting strong buzz, with ABC authorizing all...

It’s April, and Deadline is launching its annual Pilot Panic feature where we track buzz on the broadcast pilots as they go through production and and testing. We are late out of the gate this year, but that’s understandable — it’s been an extraordinary time of upheaval in the business, with 13,000 writers on Friday told by the WGA to fire their agents after the guild and the Ata could not reach a new franchise agreement.

The 2019 broadcast pilot season has been completely overshadowed by the WGA-ata battle. Still, handicapping broadcast pilots is a Deadline tradition, so let’s get to it. As usual, the first story is very sketchy and preliminary as many pilots are still in production and very few have been delivered. Here is a list of some pilots that are getting strong early buzz based on a combination of auspices, script, table read, taping or dailies.

Jason Winer and his Small Dog Picture Company have signed a new, multi-year overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television.

Under the deal, Winer will develop, executive produce and direct projects for all platforms. In addition to directing projects he develops, the deal also contemplates him potentially directing those he does not develop personally, as well as doing some episodic directing as opportunities arise.

“20th has been my creative home since they bought my very first short film over thirteen years ago,” Winer said. “I’m so thrilled to be extending that relationship another three years and expanding my company with Jon Radler, especially during a time of such exciting change and opportunity. I’m deeply grateful to Peter Rice, Dana Walden, Jonnie Davis and Howard Kurtzman for the belief they showed in me way back when, the support they’ve given me over the years, and the passion they...

Jason Winer has signed an overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television, the studio announced on Tuesday.

Under the deal, the veteran TV director and his company Small Dog Picture Company will develop, executive produce and direct projects for the studio. Winer will direct the projects he develops in addition to some he does not develop personally, as well as doing episodic directing “as opportunities arise.”

Winer is currently executive producer on ABC’s “Single Parents” and “Life in Pieces” on CBS, having directed the pilots of both comedies. He also directed the “Modern Family” pilot, and is currently directing the NBC comedy pilot “Perfect Harmony,” starring Bradley Whitford and Anna Camp, and executive producing ABC’s “Woman Up,” written and directed by Zoe Lister Jones.

Also Read: 'Bob's Burgers' Ep Nora Smith Signs Overall Deal with 20th Century Fox TV

“20th has been my creative home since...

Prolific TV director and producer Jason Winer has re-upped his overall deal at his longtime studios home, 20th Century Fox TV, where he has been for a decade and a half. I hear the new pact is for three years and is valued in the eight figures, among the biggest for a director/producer.

Under the new agreement, Winer will continue to develop, executive produce and direct series projects for all platforms through his Small Dog Picture Company. In addition to directing projects he develops, the deal also allows for Winer to helm other pilots for the studio, along with some additional episodic directing.

Two comedy projects from Small Dog Picture Company and 20th TV landed pilot orders at the broadcast networks this season, Perfect Harmony at NBC, starring Bradley Whitford and Anna Camp, and Woman Up at ABC. Winer is executive producing both pilots and is directing Perfect Harmony...

“Life in Pieces” star Zoe Lister-Jones will write and direct Sony Pictures’ remake of “The Craft” for Blumhouse and Red Wagon Entertainment.

Doug Wick, the producer of the original “The Craft,” will return in the same capacity along with partner Lucy Fisher through their Red Wagon banner. Jason Blum is also producing and his Blumhouse is co-financing. Fisher was vice chair of Columbia during the first movie.

Robin Tunney starred in the original, portraying a new arrival at a high school who’s sought out by three students, played by Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True. The trio had been dabbling in witchcraft, and Tunney’s arrival enables all four to become adept at magic, but the new coven disintegrates when Balk’s character misuses her new power.

Sony’s been attempting to remake “The Craft” since 2015 when Leigh Janiak was hired to direct. Andrew Fleming directed the original film.

Zoe Lister-Jones is writing and directing “The Craft” reboot for Blumhouse, Columbia Pictures and Red Wagon Entertainment, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Blumhouse’s Jason Blum is producing alongside Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher for Red Wagon Entertainment. Red Wagon’s Andrew Fleming and Lucas Wiesendanger are executive producing. Blumhouse and Columbia are co-financing the film.

The original 1996 film paved the way for an onslaught of TV series and films that were witch-themed and centered on female empowerment. The film starred Robin Tunney, Neve Campbell, Christine Taylor, Fairuza Balk and Skeet Ulrich, and followed a new student at a Catholic prep high school who falls in love with a trio of outcast girls who practice witchcraft.

Blumhouse and Columbia Pictures have officially announced that Zoe Lister-Jones is writing and directing the new rendition of The Craft.

The original 1996 movie, which starred Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Christine Taylor and Skeet Ulrich followed a newcomer at a Catholic prep high school who falls in with a trio of outcast teenage girls who practice witchcraft, and wage curses against those who tick them off. Both Blumhouse and Columbia are co-financing the latest version of the pic. The original film gave way to an onslaught of TV series and films that were both witch-themed and centered on female empowerment, and the remake arrives at the time of the #MeToo and Time’s Up.

Lister-Jones wrote, executive produced and starred in the Fox Searchlight feature, Lola Versus. She also co-wrote, produced and starred in the indie comedy, Breaking Upwards and she wrote and directed the independent feature Band Aid,...

Bryce Charles (Black-ish) and newcomer Tate Moore have booked series-regular roles in Woman Up, ABC’s comedy pilot from Life in Pieces star Zoe Lister-Jones, Single Parents co-creator Liz Meriwether, Jason Winer and Single Parents producer 20th Century Fox TV.

Written and directed by Lister-Jones, Woman Up is about two former teen moms, played by Mary Elizabeth Ellis and Tawny Newsome, who have worked their asses off to see their daughters all the way through high school graduation. And now, at 35, they’re ready to make up for the youth they never had.

Charles will play young Liz (Ellis), and Charles is young Phoebe (Newsome).

Cast also includes previously announced series regulars Abby Quinn, Gabrielle Elyse, Kym Whitley and Leon Thomas.

Charles’ TV credits include Fuller House, Teachers and Black-ish, and she just finished shooting a recurring role on Netflix’s Tales of the City. She’s currently starring as...

Exclusive: Leon Thomas (Victorious) is set as a series regular in ABC comedy pilot Woman Up, from Zoe Lister-Jones, Single Parents co-creator Liz Meriwether, Jason Winer and Single Parents producer 20th Century Fox TV. Written by Lister-Jones, Woman Up is about two former teen moms who have worked their asses off to see their daughters all the way through high school graduation. And now, at 35, they’re ready to make up for the youth they never had. Thomas will play Jeff, Phoebee and Liz’s younger neighbor in their apartment building. Thomas, actor, record producer, songwriter and singer, is best known for his role as Andre Harris on Nickelodeon’s Victorious. He’s repped by

ICM Partners, Authentic Talent & Literary Management and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham.

Sofia Barclay has booked a series regular role on ABC’s NYPD Blue pilot, a new iteration of the iconic cop drama.

Life in Pieces star Zoe Lister-Jones is set to direct Woman Up, her single camera comedy which recently received a pilot order at ABC. The project hails from Lister-Jones, Single Parents co-creator Liz Meriwether, Jason Winer and Single Parents producer 20th Century Fox TV where Lister-Jones, Meriwether and Winer are under overall deals.

Written by Lister-Jones, Woman Up is about two former teen moms who have worked their asses off to see their daughters all the way through high school graduation. And now, at 35, they’re ready to make up for the youth they never had.

Lister-Jones executive produces via her Ms. Lister Films banner with Meriwether and Winer and Jon Radler via Winer’s Small Dog Picture Company.

Lister-Jones wrote/executive produced/starred in the Fox Searchlight feature, Lola Versus. She also co-wrote, produced and starred in the indie comedy, Breaking Upwards and she wrote/directed the independent feature...

ABC has ordered a pilot for Dick Wolf’s “New York Undercover” reboot, and another for Zoe Lister-Jones and Liz Meriwether’s young mom sitcom “Woman Up.”

Picking up 20 years after the end of the classic cop show, the new “New York Undercover” will follow detectives Nat Gilmore and Melissa Ortiz as they investigate the city’s most dangerous criminals from Harlem to Battery Park, per ABC. Some cast members from the original series are expected to reprise their roles.

The original “New York Undercover,” created by Wolf and Kevin Arkadie, aired from 1994 to 1999 on Fox. It starred Malik Yoba, Michael DeLorenzo, Patti D’Arbanville and Luna Lauren Velez.

Also Read: Slimmed-Down Fox, Karey Burke's ABC Debut and 6 More Burning Questions for Winter Press Tour

The new version, which hails from Wolf Films/Utv/ABC Studios, will be written and executive produced by Wolf and Ben Watkins. Also executive...