Photo : Jeff Spicer ( Getty Images )

A little more than a month after renewing Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear’s 9-1-1, Fox has taken a big step in transforming it into a franchise to compete with Law & Order or the Chicago shows. According to Variety, the network has ordered a spin-off series called 9-1-1: Lone Star that will focus on a “sophisticated New York cop” who moves to Austin, Texas with his son and must now “try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving problems in his own life.” Mr. New York Cop will be played by Rob Lowe, who will hopefully remind his new Texas colleagues that he’s from New York by regularly referencing the way its water supply makes pizza and bagels taste better or whatever.


In a statement that sounds a lot like something his extremely positive Parks And Recreation character would say, Lowe said that, “Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear’s ability to make smart, unique, great television is unmatched. I am elated to join this team.” The Variety story doesn’t mention any other casting details, but it does point out that Lowe “stands to make more than $200,000 per episode.” He’ll definitely catch Bigfoot with that kind of money rolling in.