COMEDY CENTRAL� LOCKS IN THE LAUGHS WITH ITS 2009-2010 DEVELOPMENT SLATE AND GREENLIGHTS ANIMATED SERIES "UGLY AMERICANS"
Talent With Projects In Development Include Jamie Foxx, Ron White, Andy Dick, Judah Friedlander, Ice Cube, The Sklar Brothers, Among Others
"Ugly Americans" Receives Seven-Episode Series Order And Is Set To Premiere 1Q 2010
After announcing an overall deal with Jeff Dunham that includes a seven-episode series order, COMEDY CENTRAL will expand its reach on all platforms and continue to create unique and innovative programming. The all-comedy channel is guaranteeing the laughs in the coming years with a 2009-2010 development slate and a seven-episode order for the animated series "Ugly Americans," announced today by Lauren Corrao, president, original programming and development, COMEDY CENTRAL. The network has also set summer and fall premiere dates for the previously announced new series and specials; "Tosh.0," "Michael & Michael Have Issues," "Secret Girlfriend" and "The COMEDY CENTRAL Roast of Joan Rivers."
Developed and executive produced by David Stern ("The Simpsons"), "Ugly Americans" (working title) is a half-hour animated series based on an original idea by illustrator Devin Clark, who will serve as a producer. "Ugly Americans" takes place in an alternate universe New York City where creatures from horror, fantasy and science-fiction live among us as ordinary citizens. Mark Lilly, a human social worker for the Department of Immigration, helps new citizens, both human and fantastic, adapt to life in the Big Apple. When he's not helping warlocks, land-whales, vampires and man-birds adjust to human society, Mark is trying to keep his own life in check. Unfortunately, his zombie roommate, wizard boss and demon girlfriend can't always be relied upon for help. Dan Powell is the executive in charge of production for COMEDY CENTRAL.
"During these tough economic times our viewers need a good laugh now more than ever," said Corrao. "With the pick-up of 'Ugly Americans,' our viewers will be able to escape into a fantasy world like they've never seen before."
Projects in development range from animated to sketch/variety to scripted narrative and feature a cross-section of top comedic talent including Jamie Foxx, Ron White, Andy Dick, Judah Friedlander, Ice Cube and Randy and Jason Sklar and feature top producers including Michael Eisner, David Stern, Principato-Young and Double Features' Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher.
Some of the shows that have been greenlit for pilot production and script development include: the untitled Ron White show based on White's "everyman" point-of-view featuring in-studio and man-on-the-street segments; a sports comedy show from the Sklar brothers which is executive produced by Michael Eisner and centers around two brothers who are the heirs to a major sports conglomerate; an outrageous sketch-variety show from Andy Dick; "The Life," which follows a one-hit wonder music star and is executive produced and written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh in their first project together since collaborating on the hit film "Friday"; "Ghosts/Aliens," which follows two friends quest to expose the truth about the existence of ghosts and aliens and is executive produced by Scott Aversano and Phil Johnston; and "Midwest Teen Sex Show," an "instructional" sex sketch show executive produced by Principato-Young and Double Features.
In addition, COMEDY CENTRAL is ramping up its animation development slate with projects that include: a Jamie Foxx workplace comedy based on his Sirius/SM satellite radio program, "The Foxxhole;" "Gypsy Cab," which stars "30 Rock's" Judah Friedlander as a whacked-out cab driver; and from Dan Vebber ("Futurama," "American Dad") comes "The Invadersteins," the story of a family of aliens who stayed behind after an alien invasion of Earth failed.
Upcoming 2009-2010 new series that have been previously announced include: "Tosh.0," a topical series hosted by Daniel Tosh that takes on everything the Internet has to offer; "Michael & Michael Have Issues," starring Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter as the hosts of their own fictitious sketch show and "Secret Girlfriend" in which the audience is the central character in the irreverent life of a single guy, his best friends and his multiple girlfriends. In addition, COMEDY CENTRAL will roll out the red carpet this summer to Roast one of comedy's trailblazing female performers, comedic icon Joan Rivers.
Descriptions of previously announced 2009-2010 new series/specials follow.
"Tosh.0" � premieres Thursday, June 4 at 10:00 p.m.
"Tosh.0" goes deep into the Web, spinning commentary about blogs and vlogs both popular and obscure, tweets and pokes, popular sites and new technologies. In addition, the series will feature viral clips of the week, premiere its own original videos created by and starring well-known actors and comedians, as well as highlight a weekly "Viewer's Choice" video chosen from among those uploaded and voted on via COMEDY CENTRAL's flanker Web site, Atom. Each episode will feature the segment "Web Redemption," which will give subjects of infamous viral videos (think "Afro Ninja") a second chance to redeem themselves from the embarrassment with which they've become synonymous.
"Michael & Michael Have Issues" � premieres Wednesday, July 15 at 10:30 p.m.
Executive produced by Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, Jim Biederman ("Whitest Kids U Know," "I'm With Busey") and Lou Wallach, "Michael & Michael Have Issues" stars Black and Showalter in a new twist on narrative and sketch comedies that features the long-time comedic partners as the hosts of their own fictitious sketch show. Sketches will be interspersed throughout the narrative thread of each episode. Behind-the-scenes of the show-within-a-show, viewers will get a first hand look at issues, both big and small that the two misguided stars wrestle with as they confront their own issues of insecurity and jealousy as each attempts to undermine the other. Check out a clip from the pilot here: "The Farting Butterfly Sketch"
"COMEDY CENTRAL Roast of Joan Rivers" � premieres Sunday, August 9 at 10:00 p.m.
COMEDY CENTRAL will add a new face to its Emmy-nominated Roast franchise when it rolls out the red carpet to Roast one of comedy's most trailblazing female performers, comedy icon Joan Rivers. This star-studded event will tape in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 26, 2009 and will air on Sunday, August 9 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
"Secret Girlfriend" � premieres Wednesday, October 14 at 10:30 p.m.
Based on Atomicwedgietv.com's ground-breaking comedy series, "Secret Girlfriend," breaks the fourth wall with a first-person format that makes the audience a central character in the irreverent life of a single guy, his best friends and the multiple girlfriends as he juggles to try and keep them secret from one another. Produced by FremantleMedia North America, each episode of "Secret Girlfriend" will consist of two back-to-back 11-minute scripted mini-sodes. Ben Wexler will serve as executive producer, with Jay Rondot and Ross Novie, who created the original Webisodes and television pilot, also serving as executive producers.
Untitled Jeff Dunham Series � premieres October 2009
After the tremendous ratings success of "Jeff Dunham's Very Special Christmas Special," which delivered 6.6 total million viewers to become COMEDY CENTRAL's most watched telecast of all time, the network will develop a starring vehicle to give viewers what they want, more Dunham. Executive produced by Dunham, Ross McCall, Aaron Peters and Levity Entertainment - the show will have Dunham and his characters on stage in front of his fans doing a mix of stand-up, as well as pre-taped pieces. In the pilot, "Walter" and Dunham go into therapy, "Achmed the Dead Terrorist" visits pre-school and "Bubba" takes a shot at a gun range.
Descriptions of all 2009-2010 development projects follow.
PILOTS/PRESENTATIONS (all titles listed are working titles)
Untitled Ron White Show
If you know Ron White's stand-up, you know he has something to say about everything. The Ron White Show will be a half-hour comedy show that is a natural extension of his one-of-a kind persona. Through branded segments, remotes and story telling, White will take a look at stories from across the country and run them through his everyman perspective. He doesn't shy away from any topic and through his unique brand of story telling, always makes them relatable to his audiences. The show will focus on events and stories that come from the heartland looking out at a crazy world. Executive produced by White, Eddie Feldmann ("The Showbiz Show with David Spade," "Dennis Miller Live"), John MacDonald and New Wave Entertainment.
"Ghost/Aliens"
A cast-contingent pilot written by Phil Johnston, "Ghosts/Aliens" centers on Trey Hamburger and his loyal best friend, Mike Stevens - a couple of regular reefer-loving guys living the good life in Leonard, Michigan, until everything goes awry. "Ghosts/Aliens" follows Trey and Mike's quest to expose the truth about the existence of ghosts and aliens and is executive produced by Scott Aversano and Phil Johnston.
Untitled Andy Dick Project
Andy Dick stars in this wild and unpredictable sketch-variety show that features digital shorts, sketches, man-on-the-street segments, in-studio guests and animation. It's the best of every comedy show you've ever seen packed into 11 outrageous minutes. Segments will include, "Dick at Large," "Dick Tips" and "Advice from a Dick."
"Midwest Teen Sex Show"
"Midwest Teen Sex Show" is definitely not your parent's sex education class. Based on the popular Web series of the same name, this weekly comedy show brings the discussion of sex to the forefront in an outrageous and comedic way. Every week, the show tackles a different topic (i.e. masturbation, one-night stands, lesbians) exploring it through a variety of sketches. Created by Nikol Hasler, Guy Clarke and Brittany Barber and executive produced by Principato-Young and Double Features' Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher.
"The Fuzz"
"The Fuzz" is a procedural cop series set in a corrupt city where humans and puppets co-exist. Viewers follow the police force's first puppet detective and his human partner as they unravel high-profile cases. Executive produced by the 2009 Webby Award-winning Waverly Films for "Stickman Exodus," the series has also been greenlit for five Webisodes to air on COMEDY CENTRAL'S digital network, Atom.com, later this year.
"Workaholics"
Based on the Web series featured on 5thyear, "Workaholics" follows three friends living and working together after college. The sketch group, Mail Order Comedy, made up of Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine and Anders Holm and director Kyle Newacheck, star in this scripted comedy where they spend their days selling time shares and their nights partying. Executive produced by 5th Year, Avalon and Gigapix Studios.
SCRIPT/PAPER DEVELOPMENT (all titles listed are working titles)
Jamie Foxx Animated Project
Oscar�-winner, Jamie Foxx, stars in this half-hour animated comedy loosely based on his Sirius/XM satellite radio program, "The Foxxhole." Foxx and his tight-knit crew of comedian buddies convene weekly at "The Foxxhole" to discuss everything from politics to music to STDs. The series will also follow Foxx's whirlwind life as an A-list star and his crew's attempts to define their own careers. Foxx and Marcus King will executive produce and Lance Crouther will write the pilot.
"Gypsy Cab"
An animated show featuring "30 Rock" star Judah Friedlander as a wacked out gypsy cab driver whose great ambition in life is to top everyone around him. His hat simply reads, #1. When Judah's not scheming to get his real cab license, he roams the streets of Manhattan picking up celeb fares like Sarah Silverman, Jim Gaffigan, John Mayer and Dave Attell. Monologues will be delivered from the back seat, "Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist" style. Friedlander's totally outrageous stand-up voice will be laced throughout. "Gypsy Cab" is written and created by Jordan Rubin. ("Crank Yankers," "The Man Show").
"The Invadersteins"
One year ago, aliens invaded Earth. The invasion was swift and brutal. Most major cities were destroyed. Millions died. But mankind pulled itself up by its bootstraps and fought back. Alien motherships fell from the skies and plowed into the world's most recognizable skylines. After their defeat, the aliens retreated in shame, except for one family - The Invadersteins. This animated project comes to COMEDY CENTRAL from Dan Vebber ("Futurama," "American Dad") and Avalon Television.
"The Life"
Ice Cube and DJ Pooh have reunited to pen a script for the first time since their hit comedy film, "Friday." Set in Los Angeles, "The Life" follows a surprise one-hit-wonder music star as he tries to maintain his fame, friends and family while growing his bank account. Cube and Pooh will executive produce along with Cube Vision's Matt Alvarez.
The Sklar Brothers Sports Comedy Show
Randy and Jason Sklar star in a single-camera, half-hour workplace comedy about two brothers who own a small-time family-owned trading card company being taken over by a sports marketing conglomerate. The series will feature professional athletes and sports personalities. Executive produced by Michael Eisner's Tornante Company.
"Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down"
Executive produced by Paul Sappiano and based on the film of the same name, "Boys and Girls Guide to Getting Down" is a how-to guide for twenty-something's living in the city. Episodes will follow several characters through fast-paced adventures, while the show's narrator gives tips and explains how the characters plan to "get down." If you want to know how to hook-up or which drugs are sketchy and which are fun, this show will tell you.
"Best Buds"
"Best Buds" is a new take on the stoner comedy. No longer are pot heads the unmotivated slackers of yesterday. "Best Buds" begins with two friends, the American dream and a medical marijuana dispensary. These stoners are sensible and ambitious and decide to pursue the American dream in a new way. "Best Buds" is an anti-establishment, anti-sitcom that's an attack on pop culture. The show will examine how stupid everything is through the eyes of the twenty-something generation's stoned eyes. Written by Josh Lobis and Darin Moiselle and produced by FUSE Entertainment's Mikkel Bondesson and Kristin Campo.
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