Perry is best known for his roles on the TV shows "Friends" and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip."

The pilot for the series was co-written by Perry and writer-producer Peter Tolan, who has recently had success as co-creator and executive producer on the firefighter drama "Rescue Me," Variety.com said.

Perry, who will be credited as co-creator of "Steve" with Tolan, will play a local TV talk-show host who is genial on-screen, but cantankerous when the cameras stop rolling.

"Matthew had a kernel of an idea that he had been fleshing out, and he got together with Peter," Sony TV co-president Zack Van Amburg, told Variety.com. "Peter worked closely and collaborated with Matthew, and they rounded up a full show."