Jason Bateman to direct pilot for FOX

Hollywood people are strange folk. In the normal world people who are sacked by the company they worked for wouldn't normally return to it in another capacity, especially if they were treated poorly during their employment. Yet, for some reason, when actors are let go from a network because of a show cancellation they tend to go back for more punishment.

Take Jason Bateman as an example. After his critically-acclaimed and fan-favorite comedy Arrested Development was unceremoniously canceled by FOX in 2006 you would think that he wouldn't step anywhere near the network. In fact, you would think that he would jump to another network and make it big just to rub it in FOX's face. Yet, there is news that he is directing a comedy pilot for them. Go figure.

The pilot is entitled The Inn and is being described as a modern Upstairs/Downstairs set at a hip New York hotel. No information has been given if the series will be considered for the 2008-09 season. This will not be Bateman's first time behind the camera. He directed a number of episodes of Development during its run as well as three episodes of the 80's sitcom Valerie. It was that time behind the camera that made him the youngest-ever member of the Directors Guild of America back in 1986.