TVSquad

I like Bradley Whitford. Chances are you like Bradley Whitford, too. Who doesn't like Bradley Whitford? So, the news today that the Emmy winning star, an NBC favorite from The West Wing -- and to a lesser-extent Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (although I think he was the best thing on that program) -- is back at work for the network is a good thing. Whitford will produce and star in Off Duty, a buddy comedy series opposite Romany Malco.

It'll be a single-camera style comedy, telling the story of a veteran, once legendary police detective who has fallen on hard times. He's then paired up with a younger up-and-comer, a straight shooter, played by Malco.

This sounds like a somewhat familiar formula, so what will make or break this project is the chemistry and comic fireworks between the principals.

Fortunately, we've seen that both these guys are very funny. Bradley is more of the name, clearly, but Romany Malco is a face that most everyone will recognize from big screen comedies, Baby Mama and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, as well as TV's Weeds.

Jason Mantzoukas of Upright Citizens Brigade is writing the show. Off Duty has been greenlighted for production following a cast-contingent pilot order in July.

From the looks of things right now, Kath and Kim will have a tough time making it beyond this season, and that's just the most obvious casualty in the NBC line up. Off Duty could definitely find a place on the roster for 2009.