Shield' creator's new pilot is an hourlong comedy

Shawn Ryan is back at FX with a new pilot.

The network has given a green light to "Terriers," an hourlong comedic private-eye show from "The Shield" creator Ryan and "Ocean's Eleven" writer Ted Griffin.

The project, from Fox21, centers on two PI partners with maturity issues who solve crimes while trying to avoid danger and responsibility.

The idea came from Griffin, a "Shield" fan who penned an episode of the gritty FX cop drama. Griffin wrote "Terriers" and is executive producing the pilot with Ryan.

Ryan mentioned the idea for "Terriers" to FX topper John Landgraf last summer during a chance hallway meeting.

"I could see his eyes brightening up," Ryan said. "It was a lucky break because that's an area he wanted to mine next."

The network quickly bought the project and put it on the fast track.

"Terriers" is the first pilot developed at Ryan's MiddKid Prods. under the writer-producer's rich overall deal with 20th Century Fox TV. Marney Hochman-Nash serves as MiddKid's president of development.

At FX, "Terriers" joins two other pilots in various stages of production: the untitled Elmore Leonard drama, starring Timothy Olyphant, and the Holt McCallany starrer "Lights Out."