Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: E is back! Kevin Connolly, who played Vincent Chase’s best friend/manager Eric “E” Murphy on HBO’s Entourage, is attached to star in a multi-camera family comedy project that has been set up at CBS. Titled I Love You Like A Brother, the comedy hails from CBS TV Studios and The Tannenbaum Co. and will be written by Tad Safran. Loosely based on Safran’s own messed-up family, I Love You Like A Brother stars Connolly as the youngest of three brothers who realizes that his non-communicative family isn’t normal or healthy, and tries to force his brothers and parents to become closer. Comedy veteran Rob Long (Cheers), who  co-created/executive produces the TBS comedy series Sullivan & Son, is on board as executive producer alongside Eric and Kim Tannenbaum. Safran co-executive produces, with Connolly serving as producer.

Safran, Long and the Tannenbaum Co. also are collaborating on a dark, single-camera comedy at Showtime. Titled The Death Pact, it is co-written by Safran and Long and revolves around a group of friends who, approaching middle age, find themselves living unfulfilled lives until an old acquaintance re-enters their lives with unexpected consequences. On the feature side, Safran, repped by ICM and manager Carel Cutler, has an untitled Young Sherlock Holmes project in development with Gold Circle. Connolly, repped by CAA and 3 Arts, is the second Entourage star to be recruited by CBS for a starring role on a comedy series. Last year, the network cast Kevin Dillon in How To Be A Gentleman. Connolly is expected to reprise his role as E in the Entourage movie, which is in the works. Creator Doug Ellin recently completed a script that picks up six months after the HBO series’ end.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.