USA Network Orders Two Comedy Pilots

USA Network is expanding its original programming with two comedy pilot pickups.

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The top cable network has greenlit the following cast-contingent projects: the untitled Douglas McGrath project with Nathan Lane and Paging Dr. Freed.

The untitled McGrath project, previously known as On We Go, is a half-hour single-camera comedy about an unlucky actor whose Broadway dreams are put on hold when he returns to Texas when his father's health takes a turn for the worse. Two-time Emmy winner Lane is in negotiations to star in the project and will serve as an executive producer, along with McGrath, who will write for the Universal Cable Productions project.

Staying in the half-hour realm, Paging Dr. Freed is a comedy about two brothers who take over their father's medical practice after he suddenly dies. The Fox 21 project will be executive produced by Michael Feldman (That's So Raven, Everybody Loves Raymond), who will write. Unhitched's Katy McCaffrey and Brad Johnson (Clueless) will also executive produce.

“The pick-up of these half-hour comedy pilots underscores our commitment to broadening the appeal of USA’s entertainment brand,” said McCumber and Wachtel. "We're excited to be collaborating with some of the most distinct voices in the business as we open up to new genres.”

In its effort to enter the comedy space, the network will begin airing Modern Family repeats beginning fall 2013.

USA is coming off one of its busiest and most successful summer slates, with seven original scripted series airing at one point in time. It recently renewed rookie lawyer series Suits for a second season and picked up the Michael Ealy drama Common Law.

Email: philiana.ng@thr.com