TV LAND ANNOUNCES SECOND SEASON ORDERS FOR SUCCESSFUL FRESHMAN COMEDIES "THE JIM GAFFIGAN SHOW" AND "IMPASTOR"
New York, NY - August 31, 2015 - TV Land has given second season orders to its popular new comedy series "The Jim Gaffigan Show" and "Impastor," it was announced today by Keith Cox, Executive Vice President, Development and Original Programming, TV Land. Performing strongly in their first seasons, an average of 4.0 million viewers tuned into "Gaffigan" on premiere nights on TV Land and Nick at Nite, while "Impastor" attracted a weekly average of 2.8 million viewers.* In addition, both series saw impressive gains over channel prime average, with "Gaffigan" up +100% and "Impastor" up +29% among Adults 25-54.** "The Jim Gaffigan Show" and "Impastor" air on Wednesdays on TV Land at 10pm and 10:30pm ET/PT, respectively.
"We're really proud of these shows that represent the new TV Land," said Cox. "They have quality writing and great casts, and we're excited to move on to season two for both."
"The Jim Gaffigan Show," which People called "one of summer TV's bright spots," is a critically-acclaimed single-camera comedy starring and inspired by the real life of comedian, actor and New York Times best-selling author Jim Gaffigan, chronicling one man's struggle in New York City to find a balance between fatherhood, stand-up comedy and an insatiable appetite. Also starring in the series are Ashley Williams, Adam Goldberg, and Michael Ian Black, with appearances by Tongayi Chirisa. The show was co-created by executive producers Jim Gaffigan and Peter Tolan ("Rescue Me") and is also executive produced by Jeannie Gaffigan. Jeff Lowell served as showrunner for the first season, and Alex Murray and Sandy Wernick of Brillstein Entertainment Partners also executive produce.
"Impastor," a dark comedy from Christopher Vane ("Wings"), has also been met with critical praise, singled out by Vulture as one of the "5 Shows to Carry You Through the End of Summer," and Zap2it remarked: "In a TV landscape with endless viewing options... there has never been anything quite like it." The series stars Michael Rosenbaum as Buddy Dobbs, a slacker on the run from his gambling debt. He seizes an unlikely opportunity to steal a man's identity, and ends up following that man's path and posing as the new gay pastor of a small, tight-knit town. Only time will tell how long he can keep up the fa�ade. Sara Rue, Mircea Monroe, Mike Kosinski and David Rasche also star in the series. "Impastor" is executive produced by Vane and Rosenbaum, along with Eric and Kim Tannenbaum ("Two and a Half Men") and Rob Greenberg ("How I Met Your Mother"). TV Land will be showing a catch-up marathon of "Impastor" on Sunday night, September 6th at 1am ET/PT, featuring the first eight episodes, airing completely uncensored.
"The Jim Gaffigan Show" and "Impastor" are just two of the many existing series and additional projects in development for TV Land as part of the network's rebrand. The hit buzzy series "Younger" returns in January, along with the launch of "Teachers" from Chicago-based improv group The Katydids. TV Land recently announced a series pick-up order for "Lopez," starring comedian and actor George Lopez, and greenlit pilot production of "I Shudder" starring Hamish Linklater and Megan Hilty. Other projects in development include an untitled John Wells/John Riggi/Warner Horizon Television project inspired by the life of Kyle Richards ("The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills") and a script with executive producers Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone.
*Source: Nielsen, 3 telecasts per week, average P2+ Premiere night reach, 1 minute Qualifier, Most Current.
** Source: Nielsen, TVL Premieres Only vs Channel 8-11p Prime, 6/29 - 8/23/15, Most Current.
About TV Land
TV Land is the programming destination featuring the best in entertainment on all platforms for consumers in their 40s. Consisting of original programming, acquisitions and a digital portfolio, TV Land is now seen in over 98 million U.S. Homes.
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