Can Chris Parnell and Horatio Sanz Find Success Outside the 30 Rock Bubble?

Putting cameos and homophobic Cuba Gooding Jr. movies aside, Chris Parnell and Horatio Sanz haven't expanded much beyond their creepy SNL roles. Luckily, they'll widen their repertoire on a new Will Ferrell-produced sitcom starring Jon Heder as a dream-chasing optimist who ends up moving back in with his parents. But are their roles enough to make the two wayward SNL players/30 Rock visitors small-screen stars?

According to Comedy Central, the as-yet-untitled project will slate the duo with roles close to their familiar styles:

Sanz will play one of [Heder's] pals, an ex-convict, with Parnell as another friend, a burned-out teacher.

Together, Heder, Sanz and Parnell attempt to save their hometown -- until they ultimately fail in each episode.

"Anyone in the comedy world knows that Horatio Sanz and Chris Parnell are two of the funniest guys around," said Adam McKay, who runs Gary Sanchez Prods. with Ferrell and Chris Henchy.

Sanz's role smacks of his waitering stint in Road Trip, when he defiled DJ Qualls's french toast. His new gig may reunite him with mangy, archetypal roles -- hopefully without the dated gross-out humor.

As for Parnell, his role sounds more in line with a Men of a Certain Age guest appearance than a Ferrell-sanctioned opening credit. That's kind of exciting. Up until now, Parnell has played kooky everymen; now he may rile us with somberness and subtle humor -- a "spaceman" in the more isolated, Major Tom sense of the word.

Chris Parnell and Horatio Sanz Cast in Will Ferrell/Jon Heder Sitcom [Comedy Central]