Fox and Brian Grazer team up for FBI drama

You have watched something produced by Brian Grazer. Imagine's prolific producer has been all over TV and film for the last fifteen years. Apollo 13, Bowfinger, A Beautiful Mind, Sports Night, 24 and Friday Night Lights were all executed by the crazy-haired impresario.

Grazer's latest project, which has landed a series commitment at Fox, will follow Iraq war veteran Michael Cavanaugh as he leads the Critical Incidents Response Group section of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Grazer has promised an emotionally complex show, avoiding the normal depictions of straight-laced, stolid FBI agents.

The currently-titled The FBI is the first show in 35 years to receive full cooperation from the agency since The F.B.I (note the periods) during the hippie era. The show will be penned by Changing Lanes scribe Chap Taylor and produced by Imagine and 20th Century Fox TV.

The character of Cavanaugh is loosely based on John O'Neill, the FBI agent who warned of al-Qaeda, quit in frustration and ironically perished on his first day as World Trade Center's new security director. Taylor said the flawed O'Neill was a good model of a fascinating hero for the show, courageous and not without sins.

Fox is considering to put the show on Monday night in 24's former slot, keeping with the theme of government shows produced by Grazer. However, Fox's Mondays this fall will feature Prison Break and K-ville, with 24 looking to return in the spring.