by Good news for comedy fans came late Sunday night with a series order and some additional casting news.
First off, let me say how happy I am that USA ordered 11 episodes, along with the 90-minute pilot for new drama Facing Kate, which stars Sarah Shahi and co-stars comedian/actor Baron Vaughn. (THR) It's a drama, yes. But Vaughn, who has appeared on multiple episodes of the long-running drama Law & Order, is such a great talent that it's great to see a network finally see that and put him on your TV. Don't know if this series will showcase all of his range. Here's what I do know. Vaughn's character, initially written to be a love interest for Shahi's legal mediator, shifted in the pilot to be something else when it filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, over the winter. What exactly, you'll have to wait until later this year to see.
You'll be able to see Baron Vaughn perform comedy on your TV on April 9 with the debut of Victor Varnado's stand-up documentary film, The Awkward Kings of Comedy. Let's celebrate with some "classic" jokes from Vaughn as performed at the UCB in NYC for CollegeHumor Live. Roll it!
In the other comedy TV news, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay have tapped two of their former SNL colleagues to join Jon Heder in the 10-episode series that remains untitled. As reported back in July 2009, Comedy Central ordered 10 episodes (with an option for 90 more) of a sitcom starring Heder and produced by Gary Sanchez Productions. Now comes word that Horatio Sanz and Chris Parnell will co-star with Heder in the project, which will debut sometime later in 2010. (Variety) Congratulations to both Sanz and Parnell! Parnell has been great in a limited recurring role on 30 Rock as Dr. Spaceman, while Sanz has been criminally underrated and overlooked since leaving SNL, even after dropping a ton of weight.
