Comedy Central's slate: 22 projects in the pipe
Comedy Central is set to unveil an eclectic
development slate that
tackles sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll and religion.
The network has 22 projects in the pipeline ranging from script
deals to pilots, with the usual formats of animated shows, sketch
comedy and talk shows represented.
Standout ideas include a live sex-chat talk show, a program based
on a Funny or Die Web short, an update of "The Odd Couple" and an
animated series about Jesus Christ.
From the list of shows at the pilot stage, Comedy Central has
"Highdeas," in which a comedian explores mind-blowing questions
that can only be posed by stoners, with concepts including "white
chocolate milk" and "hamster-sized rhinos." That's from Embassy
Row.
With a title that sounds like a companion piece, "This Show Will
Get You High" is a sketch comedy show featuring the next wave of
performers from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. In between
sketches, the show created by Matt Besser and Eric Zicklin will
have the ensemble performing around the U.S.
Another sketch show, "Jon Benjamin Has a Van," has the
actor-comedian ("Archer") putting a twist on the investigative
newsmagazine. It's produced by Benjamin, Andrew Steele and Funny or
Die.
"Live Sex Show" updates Dr. Ruth with hosts Bert Kreischer and
Layla Kayleigh taking a comedic look at all things sex. Jesse
Ignatovic is the exec producer.
Based on a Funny or Die short, "Rich Dicks" stars Nick Kroll and
Jon Daly as obnoxiously wealthy party-mongers in Los Angeles. The
show is exec produced by Jon Krisel, Kroll and Daly.
"Steel Panther" is a loosely scripted docu-reality show following
the band Steel Panther, which parodies '80s hair metal acts. It was
created by Brian Posehn, Jeff Tremaine and Shane Nickerson.
Finally, stand-up comics Kevin Hart and Bill Burr have a half-hour
untitled scripted series that's billed as a modern-day take on "Odd
Couple." The show is produced by Bruce McCulloch and 3Arts.
Of the network's projects at the script stage, highlights include
"Supermax" (an animated prison series featuring famous-name
inmates), "The Fuzz" (a police procedural that mixes humans and
puppets) and "Joe Squad" (a spoof of classic Saturday morning
superhero cartoons).
The network also set premiere dates -- or, at least, premiere
months -- for several shows, including the return of "Futurama"
(June 24), sketch-comedy show "Nick Swardson's Pretend Time"
(October) and "The Onion Sports Network" (January).
FULL LIST:
PILOTS/PRESENTATIONS (all
titles listed are working titles)
"Highdeas"
In this comedy reality show based
on the Web site highdeas.com, our comedian
co-hosts will explore the kind of mind-blowing questions that can only be posed
by stoners. By delving into
concepts such as "white chocolate milk" and "hamster-sized
rhinos," "Highdeas" will bring the highest ideas to light using
a combination of field reports, prototype tests and, of course, black lights
and lava lamps. Executive produced
by Embassy Row (Michael Davies, Jen Kelly and Dave O'Connor).
"Jon Benjamin Has a Van"
Investigative reporter Jon Benjamin
("Important Things with Demetri Martin," "Archer") hits the
streets to put his twist on the traditional human interest story in this
newsmagazine style sketch show. Whether
going undercover or participating in reenactments, Benjamin will do whatever it
takes to get the news to the people. And his custom van will ensure that he delivers it in style. Executive produced by Benjamin, Andrew
Steele and Funny or Die.
"Live Sex Show"
It's live, it's late night and
there's a whole lot of sex. Hosted
by irreverent comedian and professional party animal Bert Kreischer ("Reality
Bites Back," "Hurt Bert") and wickedly sharp-tongued Maxim model
Layla Kayleigh ("Attack of the Show," "America's Best Dance Crew"),
"Live Sex Show" is a live, fully interactive panel show that takes a
comedic look at all things sex. Each week the show will feature a panel of celebrity guests,
sketches and titillating conversation. Viewers will be able to interact with the show via Skype,
Twitter, email and text. Executive
produced by Jesse Ignatovic ("The T.O. Show," MTV's VMA's) and
written by Mat Harawitz ("The Soup," COMEDY CENTRAL Roasts).
"Patrice Oneal's Guide to White People"
Remarkably adept at pinpointing
the details of whiteness, Patrice
Oneal ("Opie and Anthony," "ZRock") schools us on race
relations from his unique point of view, offering hilarious lessons both in the
classroom and on the street. Executive
produced by Michael Hirschorn ("Celebrity Rehab") and Gideon Evans ("The
Daily Show with Jon Stewart").
"Rich Dicks"
Based on the popular "Funny or Die" web
short, "Rich
Dicks,"Nick Kroll ("The League," "The Life & Times of
Tim") and Jon Daly (Upright Citizens Brigade Theater) star as two
obnoxious rich dicks who party it up in Los Angeles with the help of
their nanny Consuela, creating a mess in their wake. Directed by Jon Krisel ("Tim and Eric's Awesome Show")
and executive produced by Krisel, Kroll and Daly.
"Steel Panther"
This loosely scripted docu-reality show follows the outrageous and
popular '80's style hairband,
Steel Panther, as they
attempt to bring back heavy metal.
Featuring vocalist Michael
Starr, drummer
Stix Zadinia, bassist Lexxi Foxxx, and guitarist Satchel, Steel Panther is a
parody heavy metal
band from Los Angeles, known for their profane and humorous
lyrics. Their over-the-top live performances
have attracted celebrities and fans alike, and in February 2009 the band succeeded in becoming one of
the most popular cover bands in California, winning the contest of "Best
Tribute Band in the Universe".
The band's first album, entitled "Feel the Steel" was
released in 2009. "Steel
Panther" is created by
Brian Posehn ("The Sarah Silverman Program") and Jeff Tremaine ("Jackass").
"This Show Will Get You High"
This is a sketch show of video shorts featuring
the next wave of stars from the world famous Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, which was
founded by Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh, and Ian Roberts, and has
produced such notable performers as Ed Helms, Rob Corddry, Rob Riggle, Aziz
Ansari, Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer, and Jack McBrayer. In-between scenes of this sketch show, we'll see the ensemble
performing in venues across America, and interacting with the public at cool
events. Think an edgier "Saturday Night Live" on the road. This show is written and created by UCB
co-founder Matt Besser ("Curb Your Enthusiasm," "RENO 911!")
and Eric Zicklin ("Frasier," "Dharma & Greg").
Untitled Andre Hyland Project
Starring fresh new talent Andre Hyland, this mockumentary-style
sketch show exists somewhere between Monty Python and Jackass; featuring the
characters of Andre Hyland and the animations of Mike Mayfield ("The
Cleveland Show," "American Dad") as well as the comically petty
squabbling of three stoner-ish roommates.
From executive producer Bob Odenkirk ("Mr. Show"), this
irreverent stoner sketch show will resonate with our young male viewers.
Untitled Bill Burr/Kevin Hart Pilot
Top stand-upsKevin Hart("Krod Mandoon
and The Flaming Sword of Fire," "Soul Plane") andBill Burr
3Arts Entertainment.
"The Odd Couple."
Executive produced by Bruce McCulloch ("Kids in the Hall," "Carpoolers")
and ("Chappelle's
Show") star in a half-hour hour comedy scripted series featuring a modern
day take on
SCRIPT/PAPER DEVELOPMENT (all
titles listed are working titles)
"A**Holes"
You know those people
who cut you off in traffic, use their cell phone in the movie theater, and don't
hold the door open for old ladies? They're a**holes, and it's about time we find out what makes
them tick. "A**holes" is
a scripted half-hour comedy series that tells the story of the two biggest
assholes in the entire world…Jeff and Geoff. These two twenty-something roommates spend their days
scamming on girls, bilking Alzheimer's patients out of money, and generally
being the opposite of model citizens. You've never laughed harder at watching people be so
bad. "A**holes" is
written and created by
Steve Koren ("Saturday Night Live," "Seinfeld") and Nick
Malis ("Tosh.0," "Mind of Mencia").
"The
Fuzz"
A police procedural cop series
set in a corrupt city where humans and puppets co-exist. Viewers follow Herbie, the police force's
first puppet detective, valiantly trying to improve his detective skills
without becoming disillusioned and hardened, and his human man-child partner
Sanchez as they unravel high-profile cases that touch upon such hot-button
issues as jellybean smuggling, the anti-human movement, and puppet
sex-crimes. Dead bodies,
compromised forensics and shoot-outs are par for the course in the visually
exciting, seam-splittingly hilarious and gritty puppet world of "The Fuzz." Created and written by Waverly Films
(Chris Ford, Duncan Skiles and Jon Watts) and executive produced by Dave Becky,
Tom Lasally, and Greg Walter, the series has also been greenlit for five Webisodes
to air on COMEDY CENTRAL's sister network, Atom.com, later this year.
From brash young comedienne Whitney Cummings ("Made adventures in dating and sex. Joining Whitney e ach week on her adventures will be her
of Honor," COMEDY CENTRAL Roasts), "Intercourse with Whitney Cummings"
is a half-hour scripted narrative comedy that follows Cumming's
single, guy friend Neal, her married couple friends Dick and Jane, and her porn
star neighbor Starla whose advice normally does more harm than good. With material taken from her stand-up
act, Cumming's unique voice and brutally honest point of view of the dating
landscape and relationships in general promises to make "Intercourse"
a twisted "Sex and the City" for the new decade.
"JC"
A half-hour animated show about JC (Jesus Christ)
wanting to escape his father's enormous shadow and to live life in NYC as a
regular guy. A lot has changed in
2000 years and he is the ultimate fish out of water. Meanwhile his all-powerful yet apathetic father would rather
be playing video games than listening to JC recount his life in the city. JC is a playful take on religion and
society with a sprinkle of dumb.
Executive produced by Reveille ("The Office"), Henrik Basin,
Brian Boyle ("American Dad"), Jonathan Sjoberg and Andreas Ohman.
"The Jim Jeffries Show"
From the twisted yet completely relatable mind of
Australian stand up comedian Jim
Jeffries, this is a half-hour narrative about Jim's new life in the
US. In the pilot episode Jim's
best friend Damon is getting married to a religious woman who hates him and
declares that Jim must go to confession in order to be the best man. This is a big problem since Jim is an
atheist. Meanwhile his new hot
roommate Carly goes missing and Jim thinks he will be blamed. Executive Produced by Jim Jeffries, Chris
Case ("Reba"), Mindy Schulteis and Michael Hanel.
"Joe Squad"
In the vein of classic Saturday
morning superhero cartoons, like "G.I. Joe" and "Jonny Quest,"
the Joe Squad is the most elite fighting squad hell-bent on saving the
world. Led by sex-obsessed Captain
Falcon, the team consists of Auburn, the stunning, red-headed
sexy-librarian-type, Berserker, the heavyset mustached goof, Big Jersey, the
chiseled overly-tanned douchebag, Butchley, the freakishly Schwarzeneggerian
female, Brick House, the insanely jacked African-American Muslim, Dutch, the
clean-cut All-American good guy, and Lone Wolf, the masked and mysterious mute
ninja. When these guys are not
trying to save the world, they're getting in each other's way and on each other's
nerves. Fortunately for Joe Squad,
their nemesis Master Snake and his team of Rattlers are just as inept. This animated action-comedy comes from
writer Blake McCormick ("King of the Hill") and executive producer Marty
Adelstein ("Made of Honor").
"Mars"
Eric Slovin and Leo Allen ("Saturday
Night Live," "Important Things with Demetri Martin") bring their
hilarious vision of life on a space station to the airwaves. It's awkward office politics as usual in
Deep Space, with a twist – the whole thing might just be a social experiment
funded by an eccentric zillionaire with a love for all things astral.
"Midnight Drop Box"
From Golden Globe® and
Emmy® Award-winning writer Rob Schrab ("The Sarah Silverman
Program") and executive producer Erin O’Malley ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") this
comedic twist on "Tales from the Crypt" is a stoner-horror anthology that spins
the genre on its ear with aggressively odd stories featuring comedy guest stars. Funny but not spoofy, each tale is
bookended by "The Hoster," who introduces each episode from his
haunted video store in an abandoned mini-mall.
"Nocturnal Mission"
From veteran comedy writer Les
Firestein ("The Drew Carey Show", "In Living Color"), "Nocturnal Mission" is an
out-of-this-world comedy that stars Chris D’Elia ("Monk", "Boston Legal"), who has
been sent to Earth to save the planet. Without realizing there is a difference
between someone’s on-line persona and who they really are, the alien brain
trust has identified super-nerd Moshe Kasher ("Chelsea Lately", "Live at
Gotham"), to impregnate as many women as possible. This live-action show features two of the young, emerging
stars in the world of comedy. Written
and executive produced by Les Firestein and 3Arts Entertainment.
"Supermax"
"Supermax" is animated series where the well-known
inmates (Robert Hanssen, Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, Ted Kaczinski,
Omar Abdel-Rahman, Richard Reid, John Walker-Lindh) of a real super maximum
security prison in Colorado learn to live and love. From Emmy® Award-winning comedy writer Lew Morton
("Undeclared," "Newsradio," "Futurama"), comedy
gets a life sentence in this "arresting" comedy, where the only crime
is not to laugh.
Untitled Broken Lizard Minor
League Umpires Project
From the minds of Broken Lizard, ("Super Troopers", "Beer Fest") comes a series about four
minor-league umpires as they travel from game to game in coastal California
with dreams of making it to the major leagues. Written by Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Erik Stolhankse,
Paul Soter and executive produced by 3Arts Entertainment.
Untitled Reggie Watts Project
Multi-talented musician/comedian
and indescribable stage phenomenon Reggie Watts, currently
opening for Conan O'Brien on his nationwide tour, joins forces with COMEDY
CENTRAL to bring his unique voice to television. Executive produced by James Biederman ("Michael and
Michael Have Issues," "Whitest Kids U Know").
"Waiting…"
Based on the popular
movie of the same name, "Waiting…" follows the young and not so young employees
at Shenaniganz restaurant as they gossip, make fun of customers, and avert
boredom and adulthood with their antics.
Each of the
employees projects their own issues into the restaurant as they grapple with
sex, booze, and whether they are temporary or permanent fixtures in the
restaurant world.
Written by Rob McKittrick (who also wrote and directed the film)
and executive produced by McKittrick, Thomas Augsberger and Jeff Balis.
