'Studio 60' star signs for comedy pilot

NBC's comedy pilot "Zip" has found its leading man, and it didn't have to look too far.

Steven Weber, who has a long relationship with the network and most recently co-starred in "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," will star in the pilot. His casting lifts a contingency on the project and earns it an official green light, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Zip" was originally developed as part of NBC's pilot roster last spring -- by then-producer Ben Silverman's company, Reveille -- but the previous regime passed on it. After Silverman and development exec Teri Weinberg joined NBC in late May, they put the show back into development, getting a new script from writers Mark Rizzo, Marc Abrams and Michael Benson.

Weber will star as Trip Stringer, a single dad living in Beverly Hills. Low on money, he runs a series of cons to provide for his three kids.

Weber is taking over the lead role from Rob Huebel, who starred in the original version of the pilot. Prior to "Studio 60," he starred on NBC's "Wings" for eight seasons and had a short run on "Cursed" (aka "The Weber Show"). He's also appeared on "Will & Grace," ABC's "Once and Again" and in Showtime's "Reefer Madness." He's also set to guest on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" later this season.