After kicking around the various developmental corridors of ABC for the past year, a comedy pilot backed by Elton John has finally received the green light.

The pilot, based loosely on Elton's life and those of some of his peers, will follow the life of a graying rock star, his manager and other assorted hangers-on. It is titled "Him and Us".

Cindy Chupack, a veteran of "Sex and the City" and "Everybody Loves Raymond," is writing the pilot, which will likely be a single-camera comedy, the showbiz trade papers report. She'll also executive produce with Elton; the singer's personal assistant, Bob Halley; "Desperate Housewives" exec producer Michael Edelstein; and Bruce Roberts.

Elton is also expected to write original songs for the series with long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin.

"Him and Us" first went into development about a year ago, but it passed through last spring's pilot season without a formal pilot order. With a script now written, ABC and sister studio Touchstone TV decided to forge ahead.

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