Nickelodeon Greenlights "Daddy's Home," the First-Ever Original Comedy Pilot for Nick at Nite, Starring Scott Baio as a Stay-at-Home Dad
Multi-Camera Pilot Created by Tina Albanese and Patrick Labyorteaux; Executive Produced by Eric Bischoff, Jason Hervey, Albanese, Labyorteaux and Baio
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 24, 2011 -- Nickelodeon has ordered its first-ever original scripted comedy pilot, Daddy's Home, starring Scott Baio, it was announced today by Marjorie Cohn, President, Original Programming and Development, Nickelodeon. A multi-camera, half-hour comedy for Nick at Nite, Daddy's Home follows David Hobbs (Baio) an actor who, after ten years of starring as America's favorite TV dad, becomes a stay-at-home father to honor the deal he made with his soap star wife so that she may return to the limelight. The project comes from creators/executive producers Tina Albanese and Patrick Labyorteaux and is helmed by executive producers Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey through their production company Bischoff Hervey Entertainment (BHE), along with Baio. Daddy's Home marks Hervey and Baio's return to scripted comedy, with BHE having previously collaborated on three acclaimed unscripted series including Scott Baio is 45 and Single, Scott Baio is 46 and Pregnant, and Confessions of a Teen Idol.
"Scott Baio is an actor known and beloved by today's Nick at Nite viewers, many of whom are parents," said Cohn. "His new project will put a contemporary and comedic twist on parenthood that will make for a great addition to our existing slate of family programming."
"It's nice to be back home in an arena where I'm completely comfortable and with a show idea that I love," added Baio.
For over 30 years, Baio has been a beloved actor, successful producer, writer and director. He received his acting break in 1976 when he was cast as the lead in the youthful gangster film Bugsy Malone. Baio is perhaps best known for his role as Chachi Arcola on one of television's most iconic comedy series Happy Days, followed by a starring role in the spin-off series Joanie Loves Chachi. Baio also starred in his own 1980s hit sitcom, Charles in Charge. Following his television comedy roles, he delved into some deeper and more dramatic roles, such as in the award-winning ABC after-school special, Stoned, the CBS film The Boy Who Drank Too Much and as a hemophiliac in NBC's Senior Trip! He continued his acting career as the youthful associate of Dick Van Dyke on the successful CBS series Diagnosis Murder and a decade later, made several appearances on the Emmy Award-winning television series Arrested Development. Most recently, Baio was featured as himself on VH1's popular series, Scott Baio is 45...and Single and Scott Baio is 46...and Pregnant. Off-screen, he has directed episodes of popular series including The Parkers, Unhappily Ever After, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Wayans Bros., Harry and the Hendersons, Out of This World and recently served as executive producer of VH1's Confessions of a Teen Idol.
Tina Albanese was a producer for several years on the popular prime time drama JAG, then left to start up CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. She began her career working for David E. Kelley on such hit series such as L.A. Law, Picket Fences and Chicago Hope. Patrick Labyorteaux is best known for his television roles as Andrew Garvey on Little House on the Prairie and Bud Roberts on JAG. Labyorteaux also starred in such popular films as Summer School, Heathers, Ski School, Blazing Saddles and most recently, Yes Man and 2012: Ice Age. He also made several guest appearances on such series as iCarly, Dexter, NCIS, Without a Trace, Yes, Dear and Ghost Whisperer.
Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey's Bischoff Hervey Entertainment Television LLC (BHE) launched in 2003 and since then, have produced television series and pilots for NBC, A&E, VH-1, CMT, E! and TruTV. Eric Bischoff has spent the last 23 years in the entertainment industry, producing over 2,500 hours of original programming (over half of it live), 79 pay-per-view events, 1,500 live events around the world and his book "Controversy Creates Cash" made the New York Times Best Seller list in the fall of 2007. He is also featured alongside Hulk Hogan on Spike TV's weekly prime time series iMPACT. Hervey is best known for the role of Wayne Arnold in the Emmy Award-winning hit series The Wonder Years. From this platform and experience, Hervey was able to leverage opportunities behind the camera as he began a career in producing. His first project was at the age of 17 when he created, starred in and produced the Saturday morning series Wide World of Kids. Subsequently, Hervey partnered with former Sony of America CEO Peter Guber in Mandalay Sports Action Entertainment, (MSAE) where he spearheaded a partnership with Time Warner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW) which yielded 17 original productions in television, home video and pay-per view, an original soundtrack with Tommy Boy records and four television movies for TBS and TNT.
Nick at Nite is Nickelodeon's nighttime programming block that also features popular hit family comedies including the Emmy Award-winning series Home Improvement, Everybody Hates Chris, Friends, George Lopez, and Family Matters, as well as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Roseanne.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).
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