One-year pact calls for Ridley to create, develop and exec produce comedies and dramas for the studio via his Intl. Famous Players Radio Picture Corp. shingle. He has already set up a project about the world of escort agencies for USA Network (though that project was set up before the overall deal was signed).

Marit Weisenberg is head of development for the shingle.

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Ridley, most recently based at Touchstone, created and exec produced UPN’s short-lived drama “Platinum.” He also recently returned to Warner Bros. TV’s “Third Watch,” where he’ll be a consulting producer.

Universal Network Television topper David Kissinger said he’s been a fan of the scribe’s for many years.

“His strengths are in so many diverse areas, all of which we’re extremely interested in as a production company,” Kissinger toldDaily Variety.

“He’s one of those rare writers who’s enormously literate and ambitious, but also a genuine fan of genre material. He loves science fiction, he loves action and cop material, but he always approaches all of these areas with a great originality and a search for something fresh.”

While Ridley has mainly worked in drama on the TV side, he also penned hit spoof feature “Undercover Brother” and the comedic drama “Three Kings.” Kissinger said he’s hopeful Ridley will develop comedies for the studio as well.