Foley Nabs Title Role In 'fuddy'

Dave Foley has answered Fox Broadcasting Co.'s question "What's Up, Peter Fuddy?" The "NewsRadio" star has signed to play the title character in the comedy pilot presentation from Studios USA.

Written by award-winning advertising writer Erik Moe and Emmy winner Jay Kogen (NBC's "Frasier"), The "Truman Show"-esque show is set at a "Nightline"-style news show that follows the daily foibles of insurance adjuster Fuddy (Foley), who is forced to appear on the show to defend his actions.

David Steinberg (HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm") is set to direct the single-camera presentation, which is part of Moe's and Kogan's overall deals with Studios USA.

"Fuddy" reunites Foley, Kogen and Steinberg, who worked together on the cult comedy "The Wrong Guy." The feature was never released in the United States but won the best screenplay award at the 1999 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colo.

The "Fuddy" cast includes Jamie Denbo, who will play Fuddy's wife; Craig Anton as Fuddy's neighbor; Jay Johnson as the news show's co-anchor; Mark Moses as Fuddy's wife's teacher; David Pressman as Fuddy's co-worker; and Brendon Ryan Barrett as Fuddy's son.

Foley's credits include the TV series "The Kids in the Hall" and "The Andy Dick Show" and Disney's animated features "A Bug's Life" and "Toy Story 2," voicing the adventurous ant Flik in both films.

He is repped by ICM and manager Tim Sarkes.