Variety reports that Fox has traveled across the pond to find its "Union Jackass," a comedy pilot starring British character actor Al Murray.

The net has also greenlit the drama "Drive," a sudser revolving around an "Amazing Race" competish, but on acid; and CBS has ordered the grandpa/grandson laffer "Generations."

On the casting front, "MASH" veteran David Ogden Stiers is set to return to network TV in Fox's "Worst Week of My Life," while Balthazar Getty and Chazz Palminteri have landed roles in upcoming pilots.

Also, the CW has found its "Girlfriends" spinoff stars and Simon West (When a Stranger Calls) is set to direct the CBS pilot "Under Pressure."

"Union Jackass," from 20th Century Fox TV and Avalon TV, stars Murray as an outspoken Brit who is forced to relocate to the Colonies -- specifically, Santa Monica -- when his ex-wife and young son move there.

Dan O'Keefe ("The Drew Carey Show") will write and exec produce, along with Jon Thoday, Richard Allen-Turner and David Martin.

"Union Jackass" is based on Murray's alter ego "The Pub Landlord," a cranky, Archie Bunker-like character who was born out of his stand-up act. As the Pub Landlord (who until now hasn't been given a name, but is referred to in the U.S. pilot as "Al"), Murray has starred in the Sky One sitcom "Time Gentlemen Please," the ITV1 special "An Audience With Al Murray the Pub Landlord" and the quiz show "Fact Hunt."

Fox's "Drive," meanwhile, comes from scribes and exec producers Tim Minear ("Angel," "The Inside") and Ben Queen ("Century City," "100 Weddings"). Skein focuses on contestants on an illegal cross-country road race.

Twentieth Century Fox TV is behind "Drive."

Then there's "Generations," which was written and exec produced by Cheryl Holliday ("King Of The Hill").

Sitcom, from NBC Universal TV and DreamWorks TV, follows a grandfather and grandson who live together at a retirement community.

As for West, he'll also serve as an exec producer on "Under Pressure," in addition to helming the pilot. Thriller, from CBS Paramount TV and scribes J.P. Donahue and Kevin Polay, revolves around a modern-day Indiana Jones-like character. West's recent TV credits include "Close to Home."

Meanwhile, castings Monday included:

-- Stiers, who will play the character of Jensen in "Week," the half-hour comedy that will follow the seven days leading up to a couple's wedding. Regency Television and Hat Trick are producing.

Most recently, Stiers has been seen as Rev. Purdy on USA Network's "The Dead Zone," which has not yet been picked up for another season. His last major network gig was the CBS laffer "Love and Money" during the 1999-2000 season.

On the feature front, Stiers has lent his voice to several major animated productions, including Hoodwinked, Pooh's Heffalump Movie and "Lilo & Stich."

Joining the cast of "Worst Week": Zachary Levi ("Less Than Perfect"), Anna Galvin ("Once And Again") and Stephanie Lemelin ("Anonymous Rex").

-- Getty as Charlie March on the ABC pilot "Brothers and Sisters," from Touchstone TV.

Getty's recent credits include the feature Ladder 49, as well as "Alias," "The Ghost Whisperer" and "Into the West."

-- Palminteri will star in Touchstone's "Drift," also for ABC, as Det. Joseph DiCaro. Seen in the current release Running Scared, Palminteri also appeared in the feature Analyze This.

-- Cast members set for the untitled "Girlfriends" spinoff at the CW include Aldis Hodge ("Numbers") as Derwin; Coby Bell ("Third Watch") as Jason; Cynthia Addai Robinson ("The Education of Max Bickford") as Melanie; Hosea Chanchez (The Guardian) as Malik; and Wendy Raquel Robinson ("Cedric The Entertainer Presents") as Tasha.

Salim Akil (Soul Food) has been tapped to direct the pilot, which also doubles as an episode of "Girlfriends" this season.

-- Lena Headey (The Brothers Grimm) has joined the cast of CBS' "Ultra" as Penny. CBS Paramount TV show is based on the comicbook about a female superhero. Headey's credits include "Imagine Me and You."