"Ted" may soon be better off

Here's usually a pretty good indicator that a bubble show isn't likely to come back: Its star goes ahead and books a new pilot.

That's the case with "Better Off Ted" star Jay Harrington, who has been cast in the lead of NBC's comedy pilot "Nathan vs. Nurture."

Harrington will play Nathan, a heart surgeon who discovers his biological parents -- and his underachieving siblings.

David Guarascio and Moses Port are behind the sitcom, while James Burrows is directing. Sony Pictures TV is the studio.

"Ted" earned top critical praise, but wasn't able to attract many viewers during its two brief seasons on ABC. Show starred Harrington as the employee of a mega corporation.

Harrington's other credits include "Private Practice," "Coupling," "The Inside" and the telepic "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy."

As is normal for thesps whose shows have technically not been canceled, "Nathan vs. Nurture" is in second position for Harrington's services -- but with "Ted" not expected to return, that isn't likely to be an issue.

"Numbers" star David Krumholtz is in a similar situation, having recently been cast in Fox's IRS-themed comedy pilot from Imagine TV and Ron Howard.