Nellie Andreeva

Comedy pilot Rebounding is looking to live up to its title as producing studio 20th Century Fox TV has been shopping it to other networks since its surprising pass at Fox two weeks ago. Meanwhile, one of USA Network’s main priorities is getting an original comedy series ready by next summer to launch as a companion to its prized off-network acquisition, ABC hit Modern Family. Could Rebounding fit the bill? I hear USA is looking at the pilot starring Will Forte as a man recovering from the death of his fiancé with help from his idiot buddies on a pickup basketball team.

Related: Fox Passes On ‘Rebounding’: Will Steve Levitan Ever Again Sell A Show There?

Rebounding and Modern Family seem like potentially great companions — the two single-camera shows share a sensibility (comedy with heart) and a lot of creative DNA. Rebounding, which was created by Joe Port and Joe Wiseman based on Port’s real-life experiences, is executive produced by Modern Family co-creator/executive producer Steve Levitan in his first major project since Modern Family. The pilot was directed by Jason Winer, who also helmed the pilot for Modern Family, with Levitan and Winer’s collaboration on Rebounding drawing parallels to the duo’s chemistry on Modern Family. The Rebounding pilot actually tested higher than the pilot for Modern Family at the studio. 20th TV produces both Modern Family and Rebounding, which should help a potential deal. (Additionally, 20th TV division Fox21 and sibling Fox TV Studios are behind USA’s two comedy pilots, Paging Dr. Freed and Sirens, respectively.) Levitan also has a relationship with USA, he did a comedic video for the cable network’s upfront presentation last week touting Modern Family‘s fall 2013 launch to USA.

Related: USA Nears Deals For 2 Comedy Pilots, Picks Up Reality Pilot, Unveils Development Slate

While finding a home for rejected pilot almost never works, 20th TV has had success in the area with the 2010 drama pilot Breakout Kings, which also tested well but didn’t make the cut at Fox. The pilot was picked up to series by A&E, running for two seasons. Of this year’s broadcast pilots, remaining in contention at the networks that ordered them are dramas Guilty at Fox and Gotham at ABC, the latter also produced by 20th TV. Additionally, the CW is redeveloping The Selection and ABC is taking a new stab at adapting British comedy Like Fools And Horses and developing a fish-out-of-water vehicle for Judy Greer.

Related: Upfront 2012: What Pilots Are Still Alive

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