by Congratulations to stand-up comedian John Mulaney, whose NBC pilot this year found a new life and a new home on FOX, as the latter network made a deal ordering Mulaney to series on Wednesday.
It’s a semi-autobiographical multi-camera comedy, with at least six episodes to start, following Mulaney’s life as a young comedian in New York City working for a comedy icon, played by Martin Short and executive produced by his real-life icon, Lorne Michaels.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news Wednesday.
“John is one of the sharpest and most skilled next-generation comedic voices out there, who also happens to be surrounded by the best of the best on this new show,” Fox Entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly said, making the official announcement. “I am personally thrilled to be working with Lorne Michaels again, a friend and show business hero who knows better than anyone how to build a show around talent. Add in the comedy magic of Marty Short and the seasoned hand of Andy Ackerman, and I believe we have the makings of something really special here.”
Ackerman is directing, with Universal TV, Broadway Video and 3 Arts producing, with Dave Becky, David Miner and Andrew Singer joining Mulaney, Michaels and Ackerman as executive producers.
That’s largely due to the network switch that happened over the summer. Mulaney shot a pilot for NBC this spring, with a cast that included Nasim Pedrad, Elliott Gould, Seaton Smith and Griffin Newman. Splitsider reported that Elliott Gould was out, but Nasim Pedrad was in. Loyal viewers of Saturday Night Live noticed that Pedrad remained largely absent from the live sketch show’s 39th season premiere last weekend on NBC.
No word yet on when Mulaney will debut on FOX, as a part of this cycle’s midseason replacements or the following’s year’s fall/midseason schedule. Like I said, negotiations ongoing.
Above: Nasim Pedrad, John Mulaney and Griffin Newman in a framed photo from the set of the NBC pilot.
