Shane gets an American re-make

Avalon TV is developing an American version of Shane for CBS. The sitcom's writer and star, Frank Skinner, has been paired up with Michael Shipley and Jim Bernstein (American Dad) to adapt the script for an American market.

Shane is about a wise-cracking minicab driver who is going through a mid-life crisis. Shane is bored with his marriage and annoyed by his teenage kids. They are equally disappointed in him. The seven episodes of the comedy were first shown in the UK in 2004 on ITV to average, but not great, reviews.

Avalon are currently perusing a number of new commissions over the pond. Their other comedy projects include a brand-new single dad sitcom titled Mad, Bad and Dangerous (also for CBS) and Honeymooned (for Fox) which is about two pals who wind up on a prepaid honeymoon after one of them is jilted.

In other development news, ABC is moving ahead with a pilot based on the ITV hit comedy drama Footballers' Wives and have some how persuaded Bryan Singer (X-Men, Superman) to direct the pilot.