ABC Close to Ordering Two Drama Projects From 'Friends' Co-Creator

ABC is nearing deals for two adapted projects from Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman. Looking to capture some of the magic of Kauffman's past, the network is close to ordering scripts for two adapted projects, a Glee-like drama and a teen hospital-set ensemble. The former,Avalon, which is being billed as a musical drama set in a restaurant, as adapted from an Asian format.The project, from Ben Silverman's Electus andABC Studios, will be written by Kauffman andJessica Queller (Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls). The latter, Red Band Society, which was at the center of a multi-network bidding war, is based on a Spanish format. The drama project, from DreamWorks TV and ABC Studios, follows the day-to-day lives of a group of six teens in the wing of a hospital. In addition to assuming showrunning duties, Kauffman is attached to write. Kauffman, who is also behind Lifetime's recent effort Five, and Queller are both repped by WME. Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose Related Topics ABC Glee TV Development