MTV Sets Premiere Date for 'I Just Want My Pants Back' (Exclusive)

MTV will premiere I Just Want My Pants Back with a special one-hour debut on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 11 p.m. following the fifth episode of Jersey Shore, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.

The comedy from director/executive producer Doug Liman (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Swingers) will open with back-to-back episodes and follow the same launching strategy the cable network used to launch scripted comedy Awkward. The original comedy starring Ashley Rickards premiered at 11 p.m. behind reality ratings heavyweight Teen Mom in July and opened to 1.7 million viewers.

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I Just Want My Pants Back, based on the book by David J. Rosen, revolves around Jason Strider (Peter Vack), who puts hanging with friends, going to bars and hooking up above his entry level job. It isn't until a one-night stand steals his heart -- and his pants -- until he begins a quest to get his beloved jeans -- and the girl back, while also growing up along the way. The series co-stars Kim Shaw, Jordan Carlos, Sunkrish Bala and Elisabeth Hower, with Chris Parnell guest starring.

MTV offered a sneak peek of the series in August, airing the pilot in the plumb post-Video Music Awards slot, where it drew 5.1 million total viewers and a 4.9 ratings in the 12-34 demo.

Executive producers David Rosen, Liman and David Bartis preview the series in a clip exclusive to THR where Rosen explains the origins of Pants and why they opted to film in New York. Watch the clip above and the teaser for the series on MTV.com. The series is a co-production with MTV and Universal Cable Productions.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit