You know, like Python...

Law & Order star Richard Belzer is returning to his comedy roots with a new sketch film.

The former stand-up is teaming up with Madonna's production company Maverick Films for the movie This Is America.

He will star, co-write and produce the film, which could be the first of a series, with a new one coming out every 18 months.

Belzer told The Hollywood Reporter: "I think people are ready for a mirror to be held up to the culture in a really funny way - in a way the South Park movie did or some of the Monty Python movies did - and really reflect culture, mores and politics.

"I want to put something on the screen you can't see anywhere else, push the parameters and be equal-opportunity offensive but not in a vicious, homophobic, misogynistic or racist way. I want this to be in the great tradition of satire and parody that I was brought up in."

Published: 22 Jan 2004