'Everybody Loves Raymond' star co-writing, starring in pilot

Ray Romano is teaming with one of his "Everybody Loves Raymond" writers for a pilot at TNT -- but it's a drama, not a comedy.

Romano and Mike Royce have received a pilot order for a show called "Men of a Certain Age," which will star Romano as a guy who enters middle age with more than a few trepidations. It's Romano's first try at an hour-long drama -- though there will undoubtedly be comedic elements to the show as well -- after years as a stand-up comic and nine seasons of "Raymond."

The show will center on Romano's character, a divorced father who once dreamed of a pro golf career, and his two best friends, a car salesman and a still-struggling actor. All three are trying "to fulfill [their] dreams before the clock starts running out," says TNT's original programming chief, Michael Wright.

"Mike and I have always had success writing what we know," Romano says. "What we know now is that we're middle-aged, neurotic and fat. We're excited to be working with Michael Wright and TNT, who have been incredibly enthusiastic and supportive."

Royce, who wrote more than 20 episodes of "Raymond" and won two Emmys as part of the show's producing team, and Romano co-wrote the pilot and will executive produce with Cary Hoffman and Rory Rosegarten.