Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: His CBS sitcom Rules Of Engagement has been an unsung hero for the network, an utility player the network calls upon when a time slot is in trouble. With the show safely in syndication and possibly heading into its final season on CBS, the network is making sure it is staying in business with Tom Hertz. In a competitive situation, CBS has landed a new relationship multi-camera comedy project from him with a put pilot commitment. Like Rules, its is being produced by Sony Pictures TV and Happy Madison.

The untitled project is based on Hertz’s early relationship with his wife and centers on a young couple that meets and moves in together very quickly and then has to navigate their very different ways of looking at life. Hertz is writing and will executive produce with Happy Madison’s Doug Robinson.

Hertz’s marriage has already inspired a series — his Married To The Kellys on ABC was based on his marriage and his wife’s family. Hertz, repped by WME and Cary Hoffman Management, also served as showrunner on Spin City and The King Of Queens. Rules Of Engagement is slated to return for a seventh season in midseason.

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