Buffy The Vampire Slayer

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" co-star Alyson Hannigan is returning to the small screen. The actress, also of "American Pie" fame, has inked a talent deal with NBC to topline a comedy project for the network targeted for fall 2004. "She has such a natural effervescence, she brought into ’Buffy’ a real sense of humor to the role of Willow, and between that and the ’American Pie’ movies, where she’s so winning, we really think that this is the right time for her to try a half-hour comedy," NBC executive vp casting Marc Hirschfeld said. "We’re really enthusiastic about the idea of getting her on NBC and on the air. This is one of our top priorities." Hannigan, who is meeting with writers and reading scripts, played Willow Rosenberg, the best friend of Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), on Joss Whedon’s cult series. On the big screen, she most recently reprised her role as the nerdy band camp lover Michelle Flaherty in "American Wedding." Hannigan is repped by Innovative Artists and manager Steve Lovett.