Nickelodeon gets into the original sitcom business; Nick at Nite for dads, Nick Jr. for moms

Nickelodeon began as a children’s cable channel, but as it expanded and evolved — much like several other cable channels that have abandoned their original missions (see: pretty much all of them) — it has made room in its late-night schedules for the parents of those children.

And in 2012, Nickelodeon has gone even further, green-lighting series on its multiple channels for original comedies.

To wit:

Nick at Nite (Nickelodeon’s name for its programming after 8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific) apparently is going ahead with a 20-episode order for a Scott Baio sitcom, Daddy’s Home, according to Deadline. The channel also has a pilot going forward with 35-year-old Jerry Trainor, best known for playing Carly’s older brother on Nickelodeon’s iCarly.

Nick Jr., meanwhile, announced a month ago that it would turn its primetime programming into something called NICKMOM, picking up 26 episodes of a comedian-based series to air in the fourth quarter of 2012. Bronwen O’Keefe, senior VP of NICKMOM, said: “As a 6-year veteran of motherhood, I know the importance of celebrating the funny moments of being a mom, and finding that rare and coveted ‘me time,’ With NICKMOM, moms everywhere will have a place to go where they can decompress from their busy days with a dose of laugh out loud comedy.”

NickMom Night Out features Judy Gold, Corey Kahaney, B Phlat and Deena Blizzard as they present their takes on being a mother and a stand-up comedian.

NICKMOM also announced a development slate that includes potential series from Caroline Rhea and Emily Cohen, Annabelle Gurwitch, Andrea Rosen, and more. This channel certainly is looking for female comedians with kids who can translate their funny on camera.

Will Nick at Nite do the same for male comedians? Too early to call that a trend. But it’s interesting to see yet another cable network of channels look to comedians for original content. The boom continues!

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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