Making his first foray into television, Nicolas Cage has set up and will exec produce two-hour pilot "The Dresden Files" for Sci Fi Channel.

Cabler has greenlit production on the project, based on Jim Butcher's bestselling novels. Lions Gate Television is onboard to produce in association with Cage's Saturn Films.

Hans Beimler ("The District") and Robert Wolfe ("The 4400") will write and exec produce alongside Cage. Saturn Films' Norm Golightly and Morgan Gendel also will exec produce.

Story follows Harry Dresden, a wizard who makes his living as a Chicago-based private eye. Using his extraordinary abilities to see the paranormal forces behind crimes, Dresden helps the police solve their more baffling cases.

Sci Fi exec VP of programming Mark Stern said, unlike the cabler's other original dramas, "Dresden" will pursue a more procedural-style of storytelling.

"It's very much a detective procedural with a speculative sci-fi spin -- a first for us and something we've been looking to do for a while," Stern said. "What the script did so well was to make the fantasy elements integral to (rather than superimposed on) the plot."

"There's this 'Rockford Files' quality to it that I love," he added.

"Dresden Files" is one of two pilots under series consideration at Sci Fi. Other is "Painkiller Jane," a comicbook adaptation about a young woman exposed to a biochemical weapon that gives her self-healing powers. Production on "Jane" wrapped early this year.

Sci Fi last month ordered to series "Eureka," a quirky drama about a man who stumbles upon a small town of geniuses working for the government (Daily Variety, Sept. 26).

"Dresden" is out to directors and casting. Production will begin in Toronto this fall for a target summer 2006 premiere.

Cage will next produce and star in "The Wicker Man" for writer-director Neil LaBute. He toplines Paramount's upcoming pic "The Weather Man."

My best LA eating has been Hump so far, but I've been told there's better sushi to be had. Not sure if I can afford it.

That's because of the company.

Where is this better sushi?

ION, I'm pretty sure my day is making all the baby Jesuses cry.

Where is this better sushi?

It's the place I suggested we go last time, but you blew me off. Uh, I mean, I don't actually remember. But I have it in an e-mail somewhere.

Oh, Howard, Howard, Howard. [link]

MATTHEWS: Do you believe that the president can claim executive privilege [on Miers' files]?

DEAN: Well, certainly the president can claim executive privilege. But in the this case, I think with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, you can't play, you know, hide the salami, or whatever it's called. He's got to go out there and say something about this woman who's going to a 20 or 30-year appointment, a 20 or 30-year appointment to influence America. We deserve to know something about her.

Also, Perkins, you must kick at your day until it bleeds.

It's the place I suggested we go last time, but you blew me off.

Did not, or if I did, it's Kat's fault.

Thanks, ita.

I've only heard samples of JM doing the audiobooks. . . but they sounded okay.

Also, Perkins, you must kick at your day until it bleeds.

Too late. First blood has already been drawn, and I am pretty sure it wasn't the day's.

In clothing news, my mother informs me that I need to bring pants to my grandfather's memorial get-together this weekend because it's going to be very casual.

I told her I'd bring casual dresses, and she said, "No! It's going to be too cold!"

I told her I'd bring warm, casual dresses (I went to college in upstate New York and wore pants maybe five times in four years, and I managed not to freeze to death). "But it's really casual! You can go to Ross and buy some pants!"

But, Mom, I HATE pants. HATE them. (The way they feel on me, not the way they look on me or anyone else. It's a thing.)

Whereupon she lapsed into gloomy silence. I love her dearly, but not quite enough to spend money I don't have on an article of clothing I hate to make her feel better this weekend.

Then you just have to kick at the day harder. Defend and counterattack simultaneously.

I just bought this. I am pleased. I need to find Flash, GL, WW and Robin insignias, and then I'm done.