or


[08/13/15 - 10:29 AM]
NBC to Produce Original Pilots from Emerging Writers Discovered Through "NBC Playground"
The network will produce two original pilots from emerging writers Kassia Miller ("Imaginary Friend") and Adriano Valentini & Aaron Colom ("Sunset PPL"), who were named winners of the first NBC national groundbreaking comedy initiative, "NBC Playground."

[via press release from NBC]

NBC TO PRODUCE ORIGINAL PILOTS FROM EMERGING WRITERS DISCOVERED THROUGH "NBC PLAYGROUND"

Prestigious Advisory Board Comprised of A-List Comedy Talent Participated in Selection of Winners in NBC's First-Ever National Grassroots Comedy Initiative

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Aug. 13, 2015 - NBC Entertainment will produce two original pilots from emerging writers Kassia Miller ("Imaginary Friend") and Adriano Valentini & Aaron Colom ("Sunset PPL"), who were named winners of the first NBC national groundbreaking comedy initiative, "NBC Playground."

The initiative seeks to open the door for new creative voices by discovering and nurturing fresh cutting-edge comedy talent. The announcement was made today by NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke.

"NBC is excited to bring these innovative new works from such fresh comedic talents to the television audience," said Salke, who conceived the idea of "NBC Playground." "The first cycle was a tremendous success and the originality of the ideas and diversity of the new voices that were elicited through this initiative were truly inspiring. We could not have succeeded in finding such an incredible group of aspiring writers had we not had the help of an awesome Advisory Board - a real A-list group of comedy producers, writers and performers who were as eager as we were to find the next comedy superstars."

The network received more than 2,100 applications from aspiring comedy writers from across the country who vied for the opportunity to take their concepts from pitch to broadcast. Entrants submitted video samples of their pre-existing work, along with their video pitches, describing a unique show idea. Eight finalists were chosen by the NBC Selection Panel and NBC provided funding for each finalist to create a made-for-new media presentation based on their original pitch.

Two winners were then selected by the all-star comedy Advisory Board, in consultation with NBC. Kassia Miller and Adriano Valentini & Aaron Colom will now have the opportunity to have their projects broadcast on NBC.

From Kassia Miller, "Imaginary Friend" is a comedy about an intelligent yet unmotivated woman who discovers a special and unexpected way of dealing with her mediocre life. Originally from Virginia, Miller is a writer and actor in New York City.

From Aaron Colom & Adriano Valentini, "Sunset PPL" is a comedy about a group of millennial friends who struggle with their own made-up rules for personal and professional success. Colom and Valentini have collaborated on numerous short films and web series. They are based in Los Angeles.

The All-Star Comedy Advisory Board that helped select the winners were Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Robert Carlock, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling, Jason Katims, Josh Lieb, Eva Longoria, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Todd Milliner, Will Packer, Amy Poehler, Craig Robinson, Maya Rudolph, Mike Schur, Adam Scott and Mike Shoemaker.

Five remaining finalist presentations have been posted to the "NBC Playground" website (www.nbcplayground.com) where the public will vote for their favorites. The one receiving the most votes will then be developed as a digital show. They are:

· "Bobby & Izo" by Avery Lee & Bobby Richards

· "Stunted" by Jeff Galante

· "Wolfgirl" by Melissa Hunter

· "Broker" by Tyler Hall

· "The Bar Mitzvah Club" by Daniel Poliner

Please follow us on Twitter at @NBCPlayground and #NBCPlayground





  [august 2015]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· IMAGINARY FRIEND (NBC)
· SUNSET PPL (NBC)





[02/14/25 - 01:01 PM]
Max Renews "The Pitt," Starring Noah Wyle, for a Second Season
New episodes of the 15-episode first season debut on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET leading up to the season finale on April 10.

[02/14/25 - 01:01 PM]
"XO, Kitty" Renewed for a Third Season at Netflix
Season 2 premiered on January 16, 2025 and debuted at #2 on the English TV List with 14.2 million views.

[02/14/25 - 11:01 AM]
HBO Original Six-Part Documentary Series "Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest 1977-2015" Debuts February 25
Inspired by Henry Hampton's legendary documentary series "Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Movement," this new installment of the groundbreaking 1987 series illuminates the bold stories of people and communities who continue to work for equity and racial justice in the years since the birth of the American civil rights movement.

[02/14/25 - 10:06 AM]
"Farmer Wants a Wife" - Are You DTF? Meet the 32 Women Ready to Saddle Up and Take on the Farm Life, Premiering Thursday, 3/20 at 9/8c on FOX
This season, four new farmers - Matt Warren, Jay Woods, John Sansone and Colton Hendricks - bring the heat as all-new daters look to leave behind city life for the charm of the country as they embark on an adventure that could change the course of their lives forever.

[02/14/25 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Announces Returning Main Cast and New Cast Starring in Season Three of the Emmy-Winning Drama Series "Euphoria," As Well As New and Returning Key Crew Members
Returning series regulars include Emmy winner Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, SAG Awards winner Eric Dane, BAFTA Film Award nominee Jacob Elordi, Emmy nominee Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, and Maude Apatow.

[02/14/25 - 10:01 AM]
Love Is in the Air! New Reality Dating Series "Bravo's Love Hotel" Coming Soon
The new reality dating series brings together some of "The Real Housewives" franchise fan favorites, including Shannon Storms Beador, Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby and Luann de Lesseps for the ultimate luxurious getaway in the hopes of finding true love.

[02/14/25 - 08:01 AM]
The Latest Season of "Yellowstone" Heads Exclusively to Peacock - Season 5: Part 2 Arrives March 16
The Dutton family fights to defend their ranch and way of life from an Indian reservation and land developers.

[02/14/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Bridgerton" Season 4 - Sneak Peek - Netflix
To celebrate the Season of Love, Netflix takes you behind the scenes of filming "Bridgerton" Season 4 with Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton) and Yerin Ha (Sophie Baek).

[02/14/25 - 07:01 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Focus Features' Gothic Tale "Nosferatu" Beginning February 21
From acclaimed director Robert Eggers, the film stars Bill SkarsgÄrd, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Willem Dafoe and more.

[02/14/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "My Family" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A terminally ill father prepares his chaotic family to care for his two young kids and face life without him - but they must put old quarrels to rest.

[02/13/25 - 03:23 PM]
BYUtv Premieres Powerful, Fantastical New Zealand-Set Family Series "Secrets at Red Rocks"
The series follows the journey of Jake, an eccentric boy struggling to find belonging whose life is profoundly impacted by his discovery of mythical selkies who shapeshift from seal to human form.

[02/13/25 - 01:42 PM]
ESPN NBA Schedule Update: Memphis Grizzlies Visit Cleveland Cavaliers on February 23
This matchup replaces the previously scheduled Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks game.

[02/13/25 - 01:15 PM]
Showtime Original Series "Dexter: Resurrection" Adds Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Kadia Saraf, Dominic Fumusa and Emilia Suarez
Production kicked off in January 2025 in New York and the series is set to launch in summer of 2025 on Paramount+ with Showtime.

[02/13/25 - 01:00 PM]
Video: "O'Dessa" - Official Trailer - Hulu
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, "O'Dessa" is an original rock opera about a farm girl on an epic quest to recover a cherished family heirloom.

[02/13/25 - 12:01 PM]
Legendary Lineup Grows as "Saturday Night Live" Announces More Musical Guests and Comedians for "SNL50: The Homecoming Concert" Streaming Live on Peacock from Radio City Music Hall on February 14 at 8ET/5PT
The event celebrating 50 years of legendary "SNL" musical and comedy performances will also feature special appearances by Ana Gasteyer, Andy Samberg, Maya Rudolph, Paul Shaffer, Tracy Morgan, Will Ferrell, and more surprise guests.