Hurwitz
"Arrested Development" creator Mitch Hurwitz is adapting the Australian laffer "Sit Down, Shut Up" for U.S. auds -- but as an animated skein.
Fox is developing the project, which will be written and exec produced by Hurwitz; Eric and Kim Tannenbaum are also involved as exec producers.
Skein revolves around the lives of seven staff members of a dysfunctional high school in a small northeastern fishing town. Exploits center on faculty members as their own egos and personal agendas trump the students' needs.
Sony Pictures TV is producing, along with Granada USA and Tantamount, the partnership between Hurwitz and the Tannenbaums.
Casting for voice talent is ongoing for "Sit Down, Shut Up," which producers will set up as a table read. Fox will make its decision on whether to move forward with the skein post-table read; net took a similar tact with animated project "The Pitts."
Project reps the latest in Fox's ongoing hunt for its next animated franchise, to pair with network stalwarts such as "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy."
Beyond "Arrested," Hurwitz's credits include "Less Than Perfect," "The John Larroquette Show" and "Golden Girls."
The Australian "Sit Down, Shut Up" -- which aired as a live-action laffer -- was relatively short-lived, running on Channel Ten for 13 episodes in early 2001.
Contact Michael Schneider at
mike.schneider@variety.com