NBC Gets in 'Smoking' Habit

Zap2It.com | November 24, 2006

Aaron Eckhart, 'Thank You For Smoking'

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'Six Feet Under' writer Cleveland will pen adaptation

LOS ANGELES -- NBC thinks there may be comedy in the world of shady corporate practices and the people who sell them.

The network is developing a pilot based on "Thank You for Smoking," based on the Christopher Buckley novel and its movie adaptation, which was in theaters early this year. Former "Six Feet Under" and "West Wing" scribe Rick Cleveland will write the pilot script and serve as an executive producer, Variety reports.

The show would be a half-hour comedy about spin doctor Nick Naylor -- played by Aaron Eckhart in the film version -- as he sets up his own PR firm. As in the film, the show would focus on both his work for various malfeasants with his efforts to be a good father.

"The idea is that there's a never-ending array of clients he could have," David O. Sacks, who produced the movie and will be an exec producer of the pilot, tells Variety. "But it has to be something where Nick is on the wrong or unpopular side of things."

Buckley will be a consulting producer on the project, which is set up at NBC's sister studio, NBC Universal TV, and Room 9 Entertainment.