Tuning In

HBO’s inaugural gig

The Presidential Inaugural Committee is tapping HBO to exclusively televise the opening celebration of the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, a Sunday afternoon event at the Lincoln Memorial.

The committee said HBO will work with cable and satellite distributors to make the airing of its signal for the event free, TVWeek.com reports.

Set for Jan. 18, the free Sunday event at the Lincoln Memorial comes two days before the swearing in of the new president and will feature major entertainment. Both Mr. Obama and Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. are expected to attend.

Brent Colburn, a spokesman for the inaugural committee, said the committee decided to work with HBO because it offered to televise the whole 90-minute event without commercial interruption. HBO did a similar telecast in 1993 for the inauguration of Bill Clinton.

Mr. Colburn said that while HBO will broadcast the full production with multiple cameras, other media will be able to cover the event. The committee has yet to name the talent to perform.

In a statement, Bill Nelson, chairman and chief executive of Home Box Office, said the channel is “honored to be broadcasting an event of this national significance featuring some of the leading talent from the music and entertainment industry. HBO is proud to work with all of our distributors to make this event accessible to as many citizens as possible.”

Kelsey’s new sitcom

Kelsey Grammer is taking another stab at a sitcom.

ABC has given a pilot commitment to a half-hour multicam series starring Mr. Grammer as a corporate tycoon who re-connects with his family after being downsized out of his powerful job.

“Everybody Loves Raymond” alum Tucker Cawley is penning the pilot, Variety reports.

The new project comes just months after ABC passed on Mr. Grammer’s last comedy in development at the network, an adaptation of the Britcom “Roman’s Empire.”

Mr. Grammer most recently starred in Fox’s “Back to You” - alongside Patricia Heaton, who has her own comedy pilot at ABC, “The Middle” (also from Warner Bros.).

Mr. Cawley has been working on NBC’s upcoming Amy Poehler comedy. His credits also include “Welcome to the Captain” and “Out of Practice.”

As for Mr. Grammer, the “Frasier” star’s recent credits include the features “An American Carol” and “Swing Vote.” He also has been cast in the upcoming remake of “Fame.”

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