‘Seinfeld’s’ Kramer joins TV Land pilot

NEW YORK — TV Land says it has cast “Seinfeld” star Michael Richards in a pilot for a prospective new sitcom.

The series, “Giant Baby,” also would feature fellow “Cheers” alums Kirstie Alley and Rhea Perlman.

TV Land said Tuesday the pilot will be taped next week.

“Giant Baby” focuses on Broadway star Maddie Banks, played by Alley. Richards plays her limo driver while Perlman plays her assistant.

This would be Richards’ first regular series role since his short-lived NBC sitcom aired in 2000. Before that, he played Jerry Seinfeld’s kooky neighbor Cosmo Kramer on the wildly popular “Seinfeld” series.

In the meantime, Richards performed as a standup comedian. He lost his temper while being heckled at a club in 2006 and was caught on tape shouting the N-word. He later apologized.

‘Walking Dead’ tops fall ratings

NEW YORK — Those zombies in “The Walking Dead” have already terrorized the good people of Atlanta. Now they’re gobbling down the ratings record books, too.

AMC’s zombie smash has become the first cable series to win the fall TV ratings in the key demographic of adults ages 18 to 49, according to Nielsen.

That includes established network series such as “Modern Family,” “The Voice” and “The Big Bang Theory,” as well as the new fall shows like “Elementary” and “Revolution.”

What kind of power does “Dead” have? Well, Sunday’s “midseason finale” — the show will return in February — drew 10.5 million viewers. Throw in a couple of encores, and the total rose to 15.2 million.

Season 3 also has been averaging an additional 3.4 million viewers who watch later in the week and are included in the DVR numbers.

“The records that ‘The Walking Dead’ shattered today represent an enormous achievement of which we are so proud,” said Charlie Collier, AMC’s president.

Disney to unveil princess ‘Sofia’

NEW YORK — Disney says its animated children’s series “Sofia the First” will premiere Jan. 11 on the Disney Channel and Disney Junior networks.

Created for kids ages 2 to 7, “Sofia the First” is about a young girl who becomes a princess and learns that honesty, loyalty and compassion are what makes a person royal.

Sofia is voiced by “Modern Family” actress Ariel Winter, and her mother is played by “Grey’s Anatomy” star Sara Ramirez.

Last week’s premiere of the “Sofia the First” animated movie drew a total audience of more than 5 million viewers. It was the year’s top-rated cable TV telecast among kids ages 2 to 5.

In the series’ debut episode, Sofia strives to become the first princess to earn a spot on her school’s flying derby team.