Local talent extends their reach

SHOWTIME is about to launch a pilot for a one-hour drama created, written and produced by Lena Waithe and Common, and directed and executive produced by a West Philly guy.

Clark Johnson, 60, is the West Philly guy who'll spearhead development of the pilot. He's known for his work directing Showtime's "Homeland," for playing Gus Haynes, a city editor, on HBO's "The Wire" and for years portraying Detective Meldrick Lewis on "Homicide: Life on the Street."

This new, yet untitled show is the coming-of-age story of a young African-American male growing up in surroundings that force him to face life-or-death obstacles on a daily basis.

* Meanwhile, over at Bravo, word has it that the cable channel has renewed its first originally scripted and critically acclaimed comedy, "Odd Mom Out," for a second season.

It's executive produced by Julie Rottenberg and Elisa Zuritsky, lifelong friends and graduates of Germantown Friends School (31 W. Coulter St.), who began to write for television back in the 1990s.

They're most notable for writing plots for HBO's "Sex and the City," for which they were nominated for three Emmys and three Writers Guild Awards.

I came across a piece in the L.A. Times reporting that former Phillies pitcher Ryan Madson is selling his southern California home for $1.35 million.

Madson, who spent nearly a decade with the Phillies and now works as a relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, has put his luxury home in Temecula on the market.

Set against a quiet hillside in wine country, it boasts a private drive, basketball half-court, custom swimming pool and a two-acre vineyard within the grounds. Property records show that Madson bought the home for $1.2 million in 2012.

If Madson is looking to settle in Kansas City, our editor (once a Royals usher) suggests one of the million-dollar homes in Lake Lotawana, which is not far from Kauffman Stadium.

Filming for the new movie "Equity" began Monday at Hotel Palomar (117 S. 17th St.).

The film - reported to be the first female-driven Wall Street production - follows a senior investment broker who is threatened by a financial scandal and must untangle a dense web of corruption.

It stars Anna Gunn, best known for her role as Skyler White on the AMC drama "Breaking Bad," and acting couple David Alan Basche and Alysia Reiner.

All three and more were on site for a full day of shooting scenes in the hotel's lobby, Presidential Suite and Pei Boardroom Monday. Sources say that Basche and Reiner later dined at Square 1682 with their daughter while staying at the Rittenhouse Square hotel.

* Jose Garces' Distrito (3945 Chestnut St.) and the owners of Magpie Bakery (1622 South St.) got shout-outs on yesterday's "The Chew," on ABC. Alicia Vitarelli, from 6ABC's Action News, did the interviews, while show host Carla Hall served pie to members of the audience.

Philly jazz drummer Bruce Klauber let me know that last week, the locally venerated "23rd Street Café Tuesday Night Jam Session" moved to Manayunk from its former Center City location.

After 25 years at The 23rd Street Café (233 N. 23rd St.), the Tuesday night act is now at the Manayunk Brewing Company (4120 Main St.). I'm told the old 23rd St. property was sold to make way for condominiums.

"When Manayunk first 'happened' years ago, there was a lot of jazz to be heard up and down Main Street, even in the famed Manayunk Farmer's Market," said Klauber.

"Eventually, jazz all but disappeared from the street until about a week ago."

Klauber's jazz group, "The Bruce Klauber Jazz Trio," also has begun a weekly Sunday jazz brunch at Café Zesty (4382 Main St.). All are welcome.

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