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'Hung' gets HBO hot and bothered
Naegle lines up her first project for pay cabler
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

New HBO Entertainment president Sue Naegle has already lined up her first project at the pay cabler, and it's sizable.
"Hung" revolves around, ahem, a well-endowed man who figures out a way to take advantage of his physical gift.

Dark comedy comes from Colette Burson and "The Riches" creator Dmitry Lipkin, as well as Blueprint Entertainment's Michael Rosenberg. HBO is currently developing the script, which comes with a significant penalty attached.

"Hung" opens on a man who was once a high school sports legend, but is now plodding along in middle age as a struggling father and high school basketball coach. His luck begins to change, however, when he figures out a way to use his best asset.

Burson and Lipkin -- not only writing partners, but also a married couple -- created and wrote the dark comedy and will exec produce with Rosenberg.

Project has been in the works for some time, and was originally developed by Burson, Lipkin and Rosenberg at Maverick TV. When Maverick TV shut down earlier this year, Rosenberg -- who had run the shop with Guy Oseary -- brought the project to Blueprint (Daily Variety, March 4).More than one option(Co) Daily Variety
Filmography, Year, Role
(Co) Daily Variety

As for Naegle, the new HBO series boss wasted no time getting her feet wet at the channel, which she officially joined on Monday.

Lipkin created and exec produces FX's "The Riches," which also came from Maverick and Rosenberg. Burson wrote for the show during its first season.

FX is currently airing season two of "The Riches," which was truncated from 13 to 7 episodes because of the writers strike. Net hasn't yet announced whether it plans to pick up a third season.

Burson's credits also include writing and directing the indie feature "Coming Soon," starring Mia Farrow and Ryan Reynolds. She wrote and is set to helm the comedy feature "Permanent," to be produced by John Cameron.

Beyond "The Riches," Lipkin is a playwright whose credits include "Cranes," "The Wanderer" and "Popped."

Lipkin and Burson said they've been having fun with the concept, cracking each other up while fleshing out the idea.

"Think of him like Spider-Man," Burson said. "He's an average guy who gets in touch with his innate super powers."

Lipkin called the show a "comedy with a lot of heart."

Both scribes said they were pleased with being the first piece of development chosen by the new Naegle regime at HBO.

"It does feel like HBO has been invigorated as a place to go for creative talent," Burson said.

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Thomas Jane tapped for 'Hung' lead
HBO pilot first foray into a TV series

By Nellie Andreeva

In his first foray into TV series, Thomas Jane has been tapped as the lead in HBO's hourlong pilot "Hung."

The dark comedy pilot, directed by Oscar winner Alexander Payne, centers on Ray (Jane), a well-endowed struggling middle-age high school basketball coach who figures out a way to use his best asset.

"Hung" has been a big priority for HBO's new entertainment president Sue Naegle, who made the spec script by "The Riches" creator Dmitry Lipkin and Colette Burson her first major purchase and later her first pilot pickup.

The pilot is exec produced by Lipkin, Burson, Payne and Blueprint Entertainment's Michael Rosenberg, John Morayniss and Noreen Halpern.

For CAA-repped Jane, "Hung" marks a return to HBO, where he starred as Mickey Mantle in the 2001 telefilm "61*." His feature credits include "The Punisher" and "The Tripper."

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