What’s happening in the comedy world now…
- Lena Dunham’s Girls has yet to return for season two, but executive Judd Apatow and HBO have dropped hints that it’ll be re-upped for a third season already.
- ABC’s reboot of TGIF continues, as the network has ordered three additional scripts this season for both Reba McEntire’s rookie sitcom Malibu Country and Tim Allen’s sophomore multi-cam Last Man Standing.
- Speaking of reboots, MTV2 is renewing the parent company’s relationship with Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘N Out, his improv comedy and freestyle rap battle series. It provided a regular platform for Katt Williams, Mikey Day and Taran Killam, among others, on MTV from 2005 to 2007.
- Louis CK will return to HBO when he records his next stand-up special on tour this winter. It’ll air on cable first in 2013, then be sold exclusively through the comedian’s website a few months later, again for $5.
- Comedy Central has promoted Gary S. Mann to Senior Vice President Original Programming and Development, based in the network’s Santa Monica office. Mann joined Comedy Central in 2003. His development slate has included The Sarah Silverman Program, Tosh.0, as well as collaborations on Key & Peele, The Burn with Jeffrey Ross, and the upcoming Review with Forrest MacNeil. He also runs The Comedy Central Stage in Los Angeles (in a previous career, he had produced the similar HBO Workspace).
And in festival news…
- Laughfest in Grand Rapids, Mich., has announced its headlining slate for the third annual festival, happening March 7-17 2013. Among the big names: Lewis Black; Jim Breuer; Bill Burr; Joel McHale; Brian Regan; Garfunkel and Oates; Gary Valentine; Justin Willman; Wayne Brady; Shaquille O’Neal All-Star Comedy Jam, a live taping of podcast The Nerdist, hosted by Chris Hardwick; and Fortune & Friends with Fortune Feimster.
- SF Sketchfest has marked your calendars for Jan. 24-Feb. 10, 2013. Headliners, films, tributes and panels TBA.