Showtime wants to be able to complete with HBO in the original scripted arena, so it makes sense that the premium cable network is poaching talent from its most visible rival. Showtime is in development on two comedy projects that have their roots at HBO.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the first of the half-hour offerings comes from "Carnivale" creator Daniel Knauf and one of the Dust Bowl drama's consulting producers, Tracy Torme. The pair is working on a show about 1950s suburbia, looking at the dysfunction beneath the pristine surfaces. That currently untitled project might be a good pairing with Showtime's upcoming suburban dysfunction comedy "Weeds."

Should Showtime move forward on the Knauf/Torme comedy, that could raise doubt on a possible third season of "Carnivale." HBO hasn't committed to addition episodes of the drama, which finishes its second season on Sunday (March 27) and failed to create any ratings momentum.

Showtime is also working on a pilot based on the HBO documentary "Ferry Tales." The short was nominated for an Oscar in 2004 and looks at a group of women who meet on in the bathroom on the Staten Island ferry on a daily basis. Sara Colleton (HBO's "Live From Baghdad") is executive producing the scripted treatment, which will be written by playwright Lynn Nottage.