Showtime will pick up the comedy series Weeds, a single-camera comedy from Lions Gate Television about a single mother who makes ends meet in suburban Los Angeles.

"I made it a mandate when I arrived here that Showtime would aggressively get into the comedy business. This series, along with Kirstie Alley's upcoming Fat Actress, will do that in a way that is quintessentially premium," commented Robert Greenblatt.

"We're delighted to be in business with Showtime on Weeds," said Kevin Beggs of Lions Gate Television. "We believe that this comedy has the kind of wit and edge that audiences want."

Produced by Lions Gate Television in association with Tilted Productions, Weeds has received a 10-episode commitment and stars multi-award-winning actress Mary Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins, and Kevin Nealon. The series will be produced in Los Angeles and debut on Showtime in mid-2005.

Weeds exposes the secrets that lie behind the pristine lawns and shiny closed doors of homes of a fictional town. Parker stars as a suburban mom who resorts to selling to support her family. Perkins stars as the uptight head of the PTA and Nealon plays a city councilman.

Weeds is written and executive produced by Jenji Kohan and the pilot was directed by Brian Dannelly, who will serve as a producer on the series. Danielle Gelber is the creative executive for Showtime.