TV Bites: James Gandolfini Finds His Inner French-Canadian Taxi Driver

· James Gandolfini is partnering with HBO for his first series with the premium cabler since starring in The Sopranos. The Emmy winner actor is developing the French Canadian single-cam comedy Taxi-22, which could potentially star Gandolfini as a politically incorrect taxi driver. Dave Flebotte (Desperate Housewives) is on board to write. [Deadline]

Captain Kirk sets his sights on tabloids, Elizabeth Perkins trades marijuana for animated bunnies, and more TV Bites after the jump.

· The Bio Channel, which already airs Shatner's Raw Nerve, is adding another William Shatner program to its line-up. The new series -- Shatner's Aftermath -- will feature tabloid headliners like Bernhard Goetz and Jessica Lynch. [The Wrap]

· After five seasons and three Emmy nominations, Elizabeth Perkins is leaving Showtime's Weeds and signing on to play the mother of James Marsden's character in a live-action/CG-animated hybrid comedy I Hop. Russell Brand will lend his voice to the son of the Easter Bunny in the project. [THR]

· Once again, CNN and CBS are considering partnering. [AP]

· Daytime. Cooking. Game show. CBS has just ordered a pilot that combines those three things and stars Emeril Lagasse. [Deadline]

· Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will join Alec Baldwin on Saturday Night Live's season finale on May 15. [NBC.com]