22 comedies in development

America’s Comedy Central as unveiled a list of 22 show in development, including a sitcom from Australian stand-up Jim Jefferies and an animated series about Jesus.

The channel’s new programming chief Kent Alterman says he has cast his net wide because ‘it's really about trying to find the strongest comedy voices, where ever they are and whoever is available’.

The broadcaster is bracing itself for offence with the animated JC, about Christ wanting to escape from his powerful father so he can lead a normal life in New York – especially following the recent kerfuffle after the episode of South Park which depicted the Prophet Mohammed.

But Alterman said: ‘In general, comedy in its purest form always make some people uncomfortable.’

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the shows that are at the pilot stage are:

• Highdeas: comedians explore ‘mind-blowing questions’ that can only be posed by stoners.
• Jon Benjamin Has a Van: A reality show featuring nvestigative reporter Jon Benjamin, from Important Things with Demetri Martin.
• Live Sex Show: A panel and sketch show about sex, with emphasis on audience interaction via Skype, Twitter, email and text.
• Patrice O’Neal's Guide to White People: A race-relations show from the acclaimed stand-up
• Rich Dicks: Sitcom about ‘two obnoxious rich dicks who party it up in Los Angeles’, based on a Funny or Die internet short.
• Steel Panther: Semi-improvised mockumentary-reality show about outrageous 80s band Steel Panther, co-created by Brian Posehn, who plays one of the gay neighbours in The Sarah Silverman Program.
• This Show Will Get You High; Sketch show from the acclaimed Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, described as ‘an edgier Saturday Night Live on the road’.
• Untitled Andre Hyland Project: Mockumentary-style sketch show from the new character comedian
• Untitled Bill Burr/Kevin Hart Pilot: Sitcom with Krod Mandoon star Hart and stand-up Burr.

Meanwhile, the shows that haven’t got quite so far down the development route are:

• A**Holes: Sicom about the ‘two biggest assholes’ in the entire world, twenty-something flatmates Jeff and Geoff.
• The Fuzz: Mock police procedural cop series featuring Herbie, the police force's first puppet detective. Five web episodes have been given the green light.
• Intercourse with Whitney Cummings: Brash comedian on her adventures in dating and sex.
• JC: Animated ‘fish out of water’ comedy show about Jesus Christ living in modern-day New York
• Jim Jeffries Show: Sitcom about the Australian comic’s new life in the US. In the pilot episode Jim's best friend Damon is getting married to a religious woman who declares that Jim, an atheist, must go to confession in order to be the best man. Meanwhile his new hot roommate Carly goes missing, and Jim feats he will be blamed.
• Joe Squad: Animated action-comedy series in the vein of Jonny Quest.
• Mars: A sitcom set on a space station, with Eric Slovin and Leo Allen.
• Midnight Drop Box: A comic stoner-horror anthology the inspired by Tales From The Crypt
• Nocturnal Mission: Sitcom about an alien sent to Earth to save the planet.
• Supermax: Animated series set in a maximum security prison in Colorado.
• Untitled Broken Lizard Project: About four minor-league baseball umpires
• Untitled Reggie Watts Project: From the musical comedian
• Waiting…: Sitcom based on the employees of a restaurant, based on the movie of the same name.

Published: 6 May 2010