NBC has put down freshman comedy series Animal Practice, which will continue to air in its 8 pm slot on Wednesday nights until November 7th.  Starting November 14th, NBC, in the network’s infinite wisdom, has decided to start airing new episodes of Whitney.  There is no word yet on when fan-favorite and critical darling Community will return from limbo for its fourth season.  From the way NBC has handled their comedic properties, one would assume that Crystal the Monkey was in charge.  Clearly that’s not the case as Crystal would never cancel her own shows.  Hit the jump to get this sorted out. 

Over the years, I’ve written at length at how far too many indie comedies mistake quirk for character.  Characters feel like people.  They have emotions, goals, fears, etc.  A character can have quirks, but they can’t be quirks.  Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini‘s Imogene is yet another example of an indie comedy that derives its comedy not from clever jokes, thoughtful set-ups and payoffs, or believable characters.  It attempts to get laughs from its miserable eponymous protagonist interacting with her goofy family of one-dimensional eccentrics.  As much as Imogene strives to coast on the wackiness of the characters, the best jokes in this shapeless comedy come from the little off-handed moments that slip through the tortured, hollow idiosyncrasies.

Earlier this year, we brought you the news that Tom Hanks would be bringing an original creation to Yahoo! in the form of the company’s first ever scripted series, Electric City.  The first teaser trailer for the project is now available.  The animated sci-fi project, produced through Reliance Entertainment and Hanks and Gary Goetzman’s Playtone, will also feature Hanks in the voice cast.  Yahoo! looks to start airing the approximately 20, four-minute-long episodes starting July 17th.  Hit the jump to check out the teaser trailer and read up on the details of Electric City in the press release.

American Pie‘s Natasha Lyonne and June Diane Raphael (Going the Distance) have joined the cast of co-directors Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pucini’s (American Splendor) Imogene. Also starring Kristen Wiig, Annette Bening, and Darren Criss, the film centers on a woman (Wiig) who fakes her suicide in an attempt to reunite with an ex. When the plan goes awry, she finds herself in the custody of her New Jersey caricature, gambling-addict mother (Bening).

Per Variety, Lyonne will play a Jersey Shore-esque gal who works on the boardwalk. Details regarding Raphael’s character are not divulged. Imogene is written by Michelle Morgan (Middle of Nowhere) with Wiig on board to executive produce alongside Steve Golin of Anonymous Content. Lyonne is currently shooting American Reunion and recently joined the sci-fi/drama The Last Day on Earth. As for Raphael, she penned the 2009 rom-com Bride Wars and previously appeared in projects of varying quality such as Year One and Zodiac. She also has a role in Adult Swim’s NTSF:SD:SUV.