Steve Coogan is getting a big break across the pond as his production company, Baby Cow, has been signed to produce comedy shows for US network NBC.

Coogan has been attempting to broaden his audience for some time now what with his branching into leading roles in films (Around The World In 80 Days and A Cock and Bull Story) and his recent dalliance with Courtney Love must have been some strange way of getting a green card.

Coogan was recently seen sending himself up in Jim Jarmusch's Coffee and Cigarettes desperate to get American contacts through Alfred Molina.

This need for wider appeal must have only been fuelled by Ricky Gervais's success in America with the original and remade versions of The Office and Extras doing particularly well. Perhaps that also explains Coogan's acceptance into the network's embrace.

This, of course, could see the likes of The Mighty Boosh, Marion & Geoff and, most recently, Saxondale getting a US makeover.

However, until then it seems that Coogan will have to prove himself with some original material as the first show to be produced under the contract is to be called Ben and is about the richest man in the World.

A-Ha.