Hmmm ... this sounds like a rather interesting premise, actually: HBO has just given the green light to a new comedy pilot titled Bored To Death, about a Brooklyn writer who is so bored that he decides to become a real life private eye like the hero in his favorite Raymond Chandler novels.

Hey, if we can't have Marlowe, I'll take this.

The script is being written by Jonathan Ames, former columnist at The New York Press and author of the books The Extra Man, I Pass Like Night, I Love You More Than You Know, My Less Than Secret Life, Wake Up Sir! and What's Not To Love? Ames has also been a boxer and has appeared several times on The Late Show with David Letterman. He's also working on a graphic novel called The Alcoholic, which sounds like a rather great idea for a graphic novel. He'll also be executive producer on the project.