25 september 2000

By Josef Adalian

HOLLYWOOD - Matt Reeves, one of the two creators of Felicity, has teamed up with ABC to develop an hour-long drama loosely based on his childhood in 1970s Los Angeles. As part of Reeves' overall deal with Disney sibling Touchstone Television, ABC has ordered a script. Reeves will also direct the pilot if ABC gives the go-ahead. In addition to creating and executive producing the WB's Felicity with J.J. Abrams, Reeves most recently directed the pilot episode of ABC's Andre Braugher starrer Gideon's Crossing. He quietly signed a multiyear overall development deal with Touchstone last year. The untitled series would revolve around a young nuclear family that moves from New York to Los Angeles in the early 1970s. While the hour will explore all members of the clan, the main point-of-view will be that of the 11-year-old son. "It's about the American dream and trying to be a family in an era when traditional family roles were being threatened," said Reeves. "It will hopefully have a lot of humor to it and a sense of nostalgia." Reeves, 34, was four years old when he and his family arrived in L.A. from suburban New York. While he's written two major features (The Pallbearer and the upcoming The Yards), the ABC pilot represents his first solo stab at writing a series. "It's exciting that, if ABC orders the pilot, the next thing I direct is going to be something very personal," he said.