Spike orders 'Peep Show'

Single-camera comedy is adapted from a British series

By Kimberly Nordyke

Sept 30, 2008, 12:00 AM ET

Spike TV is peering into "Peep Show," handing out a pilot order to the single-camera comedy adaptation of a British series.

"Peep Show" -- from Pangea, the scripted arm of RDF USA, and British producers Objective -- is a modern-day "Odd Couple" centering on Jeremy (Rob Chester Smith), a slacker with misguided musical ambitions, and Mark (Brad Morris), his uptight, office-drone roommate, who are living together and trying to survive the many unexpected hurdles life throws at them. The stories are told with what is described as a "unique" first-person perspective and voice-over from the characters.

Shooting on the half-hour pilot just wrapped in Chicago.

David Richardson ("The Simpsons") is serving as showrunner/exec producer on Spike's version. Dylan Kidd ("Roger Dodger") directed the pilot from a script by Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong, writers on the U.K. series. Chris Coelen, Karrie Wolfe, Brian Lenard, John Lynch and the British version's Andrew O'Connor also are exec producing.

"This is a huge audience favorite in the U.K.," said Coelen, CEO of RDF USA. "In adapting the format, we had a lot of funny material to draw from, but we slightly tweaked it to make it more American."

The BAFTA Award-winning British series is entering its sixth season on Channel 4 in the U.K.

Spike TV debuted its first original comedy series, "The Factory," in June. No decision has been made regarding a second season.

Spike orders 'Peep Show'

Single-camera comedy is adapted from a British series

By Kimberly Nordyke

Sept 30, 2008, 12:00 AM ET