Pilot Season: NBC Accumulates Ryan Murphy Comedy

Ryan Murphy NBC has purchased an airplane pilot for that New Normal, a comedy from Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy, based on the Hollywood Reporter.Together with fellow Glee producers Ali Adler and producer Dante DiLoreto, Murphy will co-write and direct the only-camera project in regards to a gay couple attempting to begin a family with the aid of a surrogate.Photos: The very best and worst Glee performances (to date!)As formerly reported, Book of Mormon actor Andrew Rannells will star among the three lead roles.The project is going to be Murphy's first half-hour show and fifth overall series. His credits likewise incorporate American Horror Story, Popular and Puppy nip/Tuck.

Obama says he'll launch trade unit to fight piracy

In tonight's State of the Union address, President Obama announced the creation of a "trade enforcement unit" that will be tasked with investigating "unfair trade practices" in other countries, including China.Saying "it's not right when another country lets our movies, music and software be pirated," Obama told a joint session of Congress that the unit will be tasked with inspections "to prevent counterfeit or unsafe goods from crossing our borders."Obama's reference to the problem of piracy is also a nod to Hollywood.Last week, studio executives were openly critical of the administration after it criticized long-in-the-works anti-piracy legislation pending in Congress. The bills stalled out last week in the face of widespread protest online, with activists charging that the legislation was an overreach.It was unclear the extent to which the trade enforcement unit would target piracy --- or how it will differ from existing initiatives launched by customs officials. Contact Ted Johnson at ted.johnson@variety.com