Katims Gets New Show: Friday Night Lights

From: Backstage.com

In a move that solidifies the series pickup chances for NBC’s “Friday Night Lights,” veteran Jason Katims has been tapped as executive producer/showrunner.

If the project, inspired by Peter Berg’s 2004 film, joins NBC’s schedule during the 2006-07 season as anticipated, Katims will serve as executive producer alongside the pilot’s writer-director, Berg, as well as Sarah Aubrey, John Cameron and Brian Grazer.

Set in the present day, “Lights,” from Imagine TV and NBC Universal TV Studio, stars Kyle Chandler as the coach of a small-town Texas high school football team.

The show, developed with the upcoming return of the NFL to NBC in mind, is rumored for a possible Sunday berth on the schedule in conjunction with the network’s football coverage.

Katims most recently served as an executive producer on the WB Network dramedy “Pepper Dennis.” His series credits also include Fox’s “Boston Public” and WB’s “Roswell.”