DiResta

One of several new shows built around a personality, DiResta is based on John DiResta who was, until some months ago, a transit cop in New York by day and stand-up comedian by night. The cop-turned-actor isn't hedging his bets when it comes to breaking into prime time, though: He didn't quit his job, but only took a year's leave of absence.

"It's up to us to be sure he's not back in the subway a year from now," says writer Eric Lee, who describes the show as being based on DiResta's life, at home and on the job.

And what sets this one apart, according to Lee, is that "this is a real guy who was a real transit cop. It's not some guy who went to Harvard and is playing a transit cop. We're taking stuff from his real life, creating and mixing it all together. Hopefully, it will be something people haven't seen a lot of before."