A lot on their slate...
Comedy Central's new shows
America’s Comedy Central channel has revealed a huge list of shows in the pipeline – including its first ‘medieval comedy’ and a cartoon about Snoop Dogg.Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire – about a clueless Middle Ages hero – has already been given a six-episode commission for early next year; and could be shot in Britain or on mainland Europe.
But Comedy Central also has an extensive slate of shows in development, of which at least four will be picked up for 2009.
The company is especially interested in sketch comedy – which appeals to a sought-after demographic of young men and can be easily circulated as online and mobile clips.
Comedy Central’s development president Lauren Corrao told trade journal Variety: ‘We went looking for things that are very funny and appeal to young guys. We've identified a wide range of talent that can appeal to our young demo.’
Among the shows in development are:
- An animated look at rapper Snoop Dogg’s life as a teenager in Eighties Long Beach.
- Gay Robot. A computer-animated comedy based on a segment that originally appeared on an Adam Sandler album. Here’s a pilot:
- A sketch show with comedian Andy Richter
- Speed Freaks, a scripted comedy starring Zach Galifianakis and A.D. Miles as losers who go on the run after blowing up a crystal meth lab.
- America's Biggest Idiot, which follows three regulars who compete in ridiculous physical competitions
- A sketch show called The Scariest Show on Television, hosted by Paul F. Tompkins in character as Julius Darkshaft
- A magazine-show parody called David Alan Grier's Chocolate News
- Search and Destroy, featuring radio double-act Opie and Anthony sending teams of comedians on a scavenger hunt around New York.
- A comedy starring Bobby Lee, who has been in the MADtv sketch show series with skits such as this:
- Gypsy Cap, a script from writers Jordan Rubin and Aaron Lee, whose previous work includes My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss
- Another sketch show from Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter called Michael and Michael Have Issues.
- Reality Bites, a spoof of reality shows
Comedy Central also has new stand-up specials in the pipeline from Carlos Mencia, Brian Regan, and British comic John Oliver, who is becoming a US star on the back of his Daily Show appearances. His show, John Oliver: Terrifying Times, will air on April 20.
Published: 13 Mar 2008
