Mark-Paul Gosselaar to join cast of 'Commander in Chief'

ZAP2IT.COM
Steven Bochco has already made his mark behind the scenes of ABC's "Commander in Chief," and viewers will soon see a Bochco veteran in front of the camera as well.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar, who starred in the final four seasons of Bochco's "NYPD Blue," is joining the cast of "Chief" starting with the show's ninth episode, which will likely air in late November. Bochco took over as the series' showrunner -- replacing creator Rod Lurie -- starting with episode seven.
Gosselaar will play a "slick, savvy media strategist" on the series, ABC says, although the network isn't saying whether he joins the team around the first female president, Mackenzie Allen (Geena Davis), or works for one of her political foes.
Bochco was named executive producer and showrunner of "Commander in Chief" earlier this month, reportedly to ensure that the show, the most-watched new series this season, would run smoothly and meet its deadlines. Lurie, who wrote the pilot script but focused more on directing after the show was picked up, retains an executive producer credit but has moved on to a development deal at "Chief" producer Touchstone TV.
Gosselaar played Detective John Clark on "NYPD Blue" from 2001 until the show's end in March of this year. The one-time "Saved by the Bell" star has one other Washington-based show on his resume: the short-lived 2000 drama "D.C.," which aired on The WB.