With the scripts gestating at USA Network for months, comedies “Paging Dr. Freed” and “Sirens” have finally been given their pilot orders.
“Sirens” comes from Bob Fisher and Denis Leary. Sounding similarly themed to Leary’s New York Fire Department dramedy “Rescue Me” on FX, “Sirens” is about three Chicago-based self-destructive but skilled paramedics.
Project comes from Fox Television Studios, which is the producing home of USA’s “White Collar” and “Burn Notice.”
Michael Feldman’s “Paging Dr. Freed” is about two gynecologist brothers who inherit their father’s medical practice and must deal with a neurotic mother. Fox 21 is producing.
Feldman was a former writer-producer on Disney Channel’s “That’s So Raven” and “Sonny With a Chance.”
Leary has been busy since “Rescue Me” went off the air last fall. He co-stars in “The Amazing Spider-Man,” which opens this week and his script “Bronx Warrant” was just ordered as a pilot at FX.
While both scripts had been sitting at USA for awhile, co-presidents Chris McCumber and Jeff Wachtel couldn’t order pilots until deals with the respective studios could be worked out. Casting should begin shortly.
Upcoming in 2013 for the net, and of major importance, is the launch of the costly syndie acquisition “Modern Family.” USA execs are clearly hoping the ABC hit can do for them what “The Big Bang Theory” has done for TBS — boost ratings in all demos and total viewers. Show is expected to launch in third-quarter 2013 and will likely be paired with another comedy — possibly “Sirens,” “Paging Dr. Freed” or Nathan Lane laffer “Local Talent” — to create an hourlong block.
Of more immediate priority for USA is the July 15 premiere of miniseries “Political Animals.” From Greg Berlanti, six-part project stars Sigourney Weaver as a former presidential candidate who becomes secretary of state and has several personal and professional dilemmas to deal with.
Cabler also ordered “Graceland” to series last week. From “White Collar” creator Jeff Eastin, Fox TV Studios drama follows U.S. Customs and FBI agents who are forced to share an undercover home in Southern California.
