Scott Stuber - S 2015
AP ImagesYahoo has picked up new comedy series The Pursuit as it continues to slowly build out its original programming slate.
From Scott Stuber (Ted) and Beth McCarthy-Miller (Saturday Night Live), The Pursuit tells the story of a group of friends in their late 20s who are living in Manhattan and pursuing success, love, wealth and happiness. It was announced during Yahoo’s NewFront presentation at the Lincoln Center in New York on Monday.
Stuber executive produces alongside Dylan Clark (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) and McCarthy-Miller, who will also direct. Series creators and writers Chris Bruno and David Lee are also co-executive producing.
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Yahoo media chief Kathy Savitt describes the series as “Friends for the 21st century in the era of social media.”
The show adds to Yahoo’s efforts in TV-length projects and comes just one year after it announced half-hour projects Sin City Saints and Other Space at the 2014 NewFronts. The tech giant subsequently revived cult-classic Community after it was canceled at NBC.
Under Savitt, Yahoo has been cautious about exploring original programing, but the CMO says that doesn’t signal a lack of interest. “We’ve talked about originals always as being part of a very bespoke, select group of storytellers that we would work with if the project and the user demand is there,” she explains. “You’re not going to see the same quantity in the slate as with live programming and the digital magazines.”
Although there has been speculation that the recent season of Community, which premiered on Yahoo on March 17, would be its last, Savitt says she is still committed to the project and is talking with creator Dan Harmon “about all sorts of exciting things for Community‘s future.” And in what could perhaps be read as a sign of Yahoo’s commitment, the company’s NewFront presentation was hosted by Community star Joel McHale.
Also unveiled at Yahoo’s presentation was its growing slate of short-form original programming for its roster of digital magazines, and a renewal of its live concert series with Live Nation.
Stuber, McCarthy-Miller, Bruno and Lee are repped by CAA.
