Famed writer / director Cameron Crowe is heading back to his roots with a new music-themed comedy series for Showtime titled Roadies, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The network, which houses the likes of Californication and House of Lies as well as past hits Dexter and Weeds, has ordered a pilot of Crowe's creation. Roadies, as it's titled, will be a comedy about the behind-the-scenes features of a successful rock tour told through the eyes of the crewmembers.
Crowe is set to write and direct the pilot alongside My So-Called Life writer Winnie Holzman. Rounding out the trio – and making it a golden team – is Lost, Alias, and Fringe creator J.J. Abrams. He will be serving as executive producer.
If all goes well and Roadies is selected to go to series, it'll be the first for Crowe, who won an Academy Award back in 2000 for Best Original Screenplay for the rock drama Almost Famous. Other credits include Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Jerry Maguire and Say Anything, to name a few.
"Cameron Crowe is one of my all-time movie heroes," says David Nevins, president of Showtime. "Winnie Holzman created and wrote one of my favorite TV shows ever. J.J., among many other things, is a consummate television producer. Best of all: The comedy script they've come up with together is brilliant, original and full of life."
The excitement doesn't stop at the network. Crowe recently said, "I love that we're finally doing Roadies. J.J. and I have been talking about it for some time. We're fans of crews, those workers up on the rigging towers, or walking feverishly with eight phones on their belt. Those quietly devoted people live huge lives, they're often the real keepers of the flame. So happy to also be telling these stories with Showtime, and also with one of my very favorite writer-producers ever, Winnie Holzman. Let's get this show on the road."
Stay tuned for more information regarding Roadies.
