TV Tidbits: Demi Moore Joins ‘Empire’, ‘Days of Our Lives’ Renewed for Season 52

A famous Hollywood movie star books a new role on a prime time serial drama, a long-running daytime drama will continue on for another season and a basketball legend leaves his network studio gig are among some of the day’s news items.

• Demi Moore Joins Fox’s ‘Empire’ in New Recurring Role
  E! News confirmed that Moore, who hasn’t had a regular TV role since her days on “General Hospital” in the 1980’s, will appear on the popular hip-hop serial drama as a “take-charge nurse with a mysterious past” who becomes “treacherously entangled” with the Lyon family. Moore’s new character will make her first appearance on Empire’s third season finale in May and will continue on throughout its fourth season. Moore’s daughter Rumer Willis will also guest star on the show as a singer-songwriter in the March 22 episode. (Source: E! News)

• ‘Days of Our Lives’ on NBC Renewed for 52nd Season
  Despite concerns that the hiring of former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly would cause its cancellation, NBC announced on Tuesday that it renewed its long-running daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives” for a 52nd season. “We feel so privileged to be able to continue the remarkable legacy of ‘Days of our Lives,’” said Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment.” “We thank [executive producer] Ken Corday and his team for their incredible accomplishments and look forward to all the stories from Salem that will continue to unfold.” Corday added: “It’s a great day in Salem! We’re pleased to announce that after more than 51 years in the hearts and homes of our amazing fans, ‘Days of our Lives’ will continue to be part of the NBC family. We are grateful to our incredible network and longstanding partner Sony for their continued support, and we look forward to what the future will bring under the new creative direction of the show. I’m especially proud to be able to shepherd ‘Days’ into the new season, continuing my parents dream and the show’s legacy.” (Source: NBC)

• Marg Helgenberger Joins Series Pilot ‘Behind Enemy Lines’ for Fox
  The Emmy-winning actress of “China Beach” and “CSI” has been cast as a “fierce but fair” Navy Admiral in the pilot of the TV remake of the Owen Wilson/Gene Hackman 2001 motion picture military drama. Action-film director McG has been tapped to direct the pilot episode.

• Magic Johnson Departs ESPN to Become New Lakers President
  Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s return as an NBA analyst for ESPN was short-lived as he stepped down from the position on Tuesday to assume the role as President of Basketball Operations for the team he had been with for his entire career as a legendary player, the Los Angeles Lakers. In a statement, ESPN indicated they were “grateful for the terrific contributions Magic has made to [their] NBA coverage” and “look forward to documenting the next step in Magic’s unprecedented basketball journey.” Johnson’s first stint with ESPN concluded in 2013 after rumored behind-the-scenes issues led to his exit. His recent ESPN gig only lasted two months. (Source: ESPN Media Zone)

• Legendary Baseball TV Director Bill Webb to Not Return Full-Time to SNY
  Newsday’s Neil Best reported that Webb, director of New York Mets games on television for almost four decades as well as for 17 World Series, will not return full-time as director for games on the team’s primary network SNY. The 65-year-old Webb — inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame back in November 2016 — has missed extensive time from work since being diagnosed with cancer in 2015, including the two most recent World Series. Dan Barr, who worked alongside Webb since 2006, will become the new lead director for the Mets on SNY. (Source: Newsday)