F/X greenlights Cox/Arquette pilot

The "Nip/Tuck" network is carving up its next generation of would-be hits. FX has picked up a one-hour pilot about a family of cons from comedian Eddie Izzard and has greenlit a second from Courteney Cox and David Arquette set in the world of celebrity tabloid journalism. Izzard's "Lowlife" (working title) revolves around a family of grifters who take the identity of an upper-middle-class suburban family in Louisiana. Project was brought to the cablercabler earlier this year by Maverick TV toppertopper Michael Rosenberg (Daily Variety, Jan. 31). Story will center on a father (Izzard) questioning the marginal lives that he and his family lead. His wife, newly sprung from prison, rejoins the family only to discover her husband having doubts about the con-artist lifestyle to which she's comfortably accustomed. Second pilot, "Dirt," from exec producers Cox and Arquette, concerns a tabloid editor and her right-hand photographer as they navigate the murky world of celebrity journalism. Matthew Carnahan ("Fastlane") scripted and will exec produce. Cox and Arquette's Warner Bros. TV-based Coquette Prods. banner brought the show to FX. With the exception of "Entourage," "Dirt" arrives at a time when most Hollywood-themed fare -- i.e. "The Comeback" and "Project Greenlight""Project Greenlight" -- has flopped for other nets. Landgraf said he's unconcerned with comparisons. [Variety]