Pilot Watch: CBS picks up 'Captain'

NBC grabs 'Class'; Fox nabs 'Them'
By VARIETY STAFF

CBS
Pilot pickup -- "The Captain," a single-camera comedy about a writer who moves into a Hollywood apartment building. John Hamburg wrote the pilot and will also direct for CBS Paramount Network TV.
Pilot pickup -- "Protect and Serve," a drama about cops who live in the L.A. suburbs. Project, from exec producer Gary Scott Thompson, was originally developed at NBC. Mark Gibson and Phillip Halprin wrote the pilot, produced by NBC Universal TV Studio.
CW
Pilot presentation pickup -- "The World According to Barnes," a comedy about two cheeky Princeton students who use their skills (think "Ferris Bueller" meets "Animal House") to help solve crimes. Tom Wheeler wrote the pilot and will exec produce, along with Steve Pearlman and Andrew Plotkin. Warner Bros. TV is producing, along with Class IV.
NBC
Pilot pickup -- "Business Class," a quirky single-camera comedy about two soda salesmen. Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein wrote the pilot and will exec produce with David Bartis and Doug Liman. NBC Universal TV Studio produces with Dutch Oven.
Cast contingent pilot pickup -- Untitled Israel & O'Doherty animal vehicle, a laffer about the staff at a wildlife park. David Israel and Jim O'Doherty are writers and exec producers; Conan O'Brien, Jeff Ross and David Kissinger also exec produce. O'Brien's Conaco label is behind the show along with NBC Universal TV Studio.
Fox
Pilot pickup -- "Them," a drama about aliens who infiltrate the human race. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, about an alien agent who must locate a rogue operative on Earth -- and finds himself tempted by the planet's offerings. Scribes John McNamara and David Eick will exec produce, along with Jonathan Mostow (who will direct). David Engel, David Alpert and Lawrence Mattis are co-exec producers. CBS Paramount Network TV is behind the show along with Circle of Confusion.