FOX hopes The Rednecks & Romeos will be the next That '70s Show

[Brian Damage]

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Fox is looking to recapture the creative and ratings magic of "That '70s Show" with a coming-of-age ensemble comedy from the co-creator of the longrunning hit comedy.

The network has given a cast-contingent pilot order to "The Rednecks & Romeos," which was written on spec by "That '70s Show" co-creator/executive producer Mark Brazill.

The comedy revolves around a group of working-class teenage friends growing up in a suburb outside Buffalo, NY. Reflecting some of today's harsh economic realities, the show centers on the Shea family, who are trying to make their way after the father has gone bankrupt and has lost his car dealership and the family home.

"Rednecks & Romeos" is semi-autobiographical, drawing inspiration from Brazill's own experiences, and is described as an honest portrayal of teenage and family life. Brazill and "That '70s Show" executive producer Tom Werner are executive producing the pilot with Mike Clements.

"That '70s Show," which Brazil co-created with Bonnie and Terry Turner, aired from 1998-2006 and was Fox's most recent multi-camera comedy hit. It also made stars out of several hot young actors: Topher Grace, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Wilmer Valderrama.

Launching live-action comedy series has been a priority for Fox, which has only two non-animated half-hours on the fall schedule, both multi-camera: the veteran "'Til Death" and the newcomer "Brothers."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090803/tv_nm/us_rednecks