Dave Matthews makes ‘House’ call

Grammy winner Dave Matthews will make his TV-acting debut later this season, playing a piano prodigy on Fox’s “House.”

The leader of the Dave Matthews Band will play a character named Patrick, who suffered an accident as a child that left him with a severe neurological condition but also made him a virtuoso pianist. He’s admitted to Princeton-Plainsboro with a movement disorder, and his case catches the attention of House (Hugh Laurie).

Former “That “70s Show” star Kurtwood Smith will also appear in the episode, playing Patrick’s father, a retired doctor who has to make a decision about his son’s treatment.

The episode is scheduled to run sometime in March, though a specific airdate hasn’t been set.

The Dave Matthews Band has sold better than 35 million records over the past decade and a half. The band won a Grammy in 1996 for best rock performance by a group for its song “So Much to Say,” and Matthews won a solo award in 2004 for his song “Gravedigger.”

His acting credits include the 2005 movie “Because of Winn-Dixie” and a pair of features due for release sometime this year: “Lake City” with Sissy Spacek and “The Other Side” with Giovanni Ribisi, Tim Roth and Brittany Murphy.

‘Alias’ actor Cooper weds

Bradley Cooper, who appeared in the comedy “Wedding Crashers,” attended his own wedding over the holidays.

The former “Alias” actor and actress Jennifer Esposito married in late December, reports People.

No details about the ceremony were made available. Cooper, 32, and Esposito, 33, have been good about keeping their romance quiet. They announced their engagement last October. It’s the first marriage for both.

Esposito starred with the rest of the star-studded ensemble in the Oscar-winning “Crash.” She starred opposite Michael J. Fox on the “90s sitcom “Spin City,” had a recurring role on “Judging Amy” and starred in the short-lived WB series “Related.”

Cooper is best known as all-around good guy and platonic friend Will Tippin on “Alias” and starred in a short-lived sitcom of his own, “Kitchen Confidential.” His big screen credits include “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Wedding Crashers” and “Failure to Launch.”

‘Family Guy’ scribes back at work

Once again, rumors of the demise of “Family Guy” appear to have been greatly exaggerated.

Scribes on Fox’s apparently unkillable animated comedy returned to work this week after a two-month hiatus that led many naysayers to suggest that “Family Guy” might be down for the count once again.

Initially scheduled to kick off writing on the sixth season of “Family Guy” back in late October, the show’s staff was sent home as 20th Century Fox TV attempted to iron out a new deal with series creator/voice/executive producer Seth MacFarlane.

While both industry trade papers agree that MacFarlane fresh pact with the studio remains unconsummated, the “Family Guy” writers were called back into the offices on Tuesday and started breaking stories on Wednesday.

MacFarlane, who also executive produces “American Dad” and the upcoming “The Winner” for Fox, is expected to have a lucrative deal in place soon.