Allison Janney joins Matthew Perry's Mr. Sunshine

You could say that most people's interest in a new comedy from Friends' star Matthew Perry called Mr. Sunshine, would be pretty high. He's a popular actor. Friends was a popular show. People reacted favorably to Courteney Cox's new comedy Cougar Town... You see where I'm going here.

Well, the interest meter just moved up considerably because West Wing Emmy-winner Allison Janney will co-star with Matthew in Mr. Sunshine. Mr. Sunshine is an ABC pilot they'll be filming, and it's about a guy who reaches his 40th birthday and wonders if he can continue just getting by on his charm and nonchalant style.

Mr. Sunshine is set in San Diego, where Perry's character manages an aging stadium. Janney is playing Crystal Cohen, the lady in charge of the place. That's right; she's Matthew's boss.

Perry co-wrote the half-hour pilot with Alex Barnow and Marc Firek -- whose credits include Family Guy and 'Til Death -- and former West Wing helmer Tommy Schlamme will direct.

By the way, this Mr. Sunshine has nothing to do with the 1986 sitcom of the same name that starred Jeffrey Tambor. It lasted only 11 episodes. Hopefully the title will be luckier for Perry and Janney.

Oh, one more by the way, Allison Janney is also attached to another pilot for 2010. She's the romantic interest for William H. Macy in the Showtime drama Shameless.