Fox Picks Up Steven Spielberg Soap, Arms-Dealing Drama

Fox has ordered a new comedic soap from Steven Spielberg and a Traffic-esque drama centered on arms dealing, TVGuide.com has learned.

Red Band Society is a comedic soap following a group of teenagers who meet as patients in the children's wing of a hospital and become unlikely friends and a surrogate family. Spielberg will executive-produce with Margaret Nagle (Boardwalk Empire), Justin Falvey (Under the Dome), Darryl Frank (Under the Dome) and Sergio Aguero. Fox has already ordered additional scripts beyond the pilot.

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Runner, from writer Michael Cooney (Identity), is described as a drama that delves into the tough world of arms dealing through the unexpected perspective of a woman. After a twist of fate, Lauren Marks learns her husband is not the person she thought he was and goes on a truth-seeking journey that inserts her into a U.S./Mexican war over weapons and terrorism.

Ghost Whisperer's Kim Moses and Ian Sander will executive-produce with thirtysomething alum Peter Horton. Runner has received an off-cycle commitment for possible series production this summer.

Would you watch Red Band Society or Runner?