by You’ll hear a lot in the trades and the trade winds from now through pilot season, which starts in earnest in January, all the way up to the cable Upfronts in the spring and the broadcast network Upfronts in May — when TV programmers present their new and returning lineups to impress and attract advertisers for 2015-2016.
When a network orders a pilot to series, that’s newsworthy and vital information for you to know. Mark your calendars accordingly.
Everything else is speculation. In fact, that’s what the programming suits do is invest in a speculative market, buying up sitcom ideas and their writers and producers, not only for the prospect that their idea will evolve into a hit series, but also to keep those writers, producers and creators off the market from other networks. The news that a comedian has a script commitment or a development deal is valuable to that comedian and his/her landlord and family and friends, but doesn’t mean much to us as viewers until that deal pays off in the form of a TV series that’s actually on the air. So. Instead of bombarding you with hundreds of separate posts from TV wheeling and dealing, The Comic’s Comic this TV cycle will present a weekly roundup of what’s in the mix for 2015-2016.
MAYBE SEE TV? Oct. 16, 2014, edition
PUT PILOT — ABC
Moone Boy, a single-cam American adaptation of Chris O’Dowd’s Irish sitcom, about a 12-year-old and his imaginary friend who helps him figure out life. O’Dowd created, wrote and starred in the original version, which is producing season three and has aired on Sky, PBS and online via Hulu. He’ll write the script for ABC but not star in it. From Sony Pictures Television, 3 Arts Entertainment, Sprout Pictures Limited, Baby Cow Productions and Hot Cod Productions, with Dave Becky and Nick Frenkel executive producing.
PUT PILOT — NBC
An untitled multi-cam from Scott Silveri and Shana Goldberg-Meehan, and 20th Century Fox TV, about an uptight family man and his boomer parents who are rediscovering their youth in old age. Andy Ackerman directing.
PILOT — NBC
An untitled multi-cam starring Monica Potter, written by Sherry Bilsing-Graham and Ellen Kreamer, and executive produced by Ellen DeGeneres. From Warner Bros. TV, A Very Good Production.
DEVELOPMENT — NBC
An untitled from Armie Hammer based on his life stories, written by David Israel, executive produced by them with Gordon Gray. From Universal TV. About a man whose parents secretly maintained a friendship with his ex, and his own friendship with his ex’s new fiancee.
DEVELOPMENT — NBC
An untitled single-cam from Rob Lowe, Pete Huyck and Alex Gregory, via ABC Studios. With penalty. About a man new to sobriety who tries to make amends to his teenage kids and everyone else. Marc Gurvitz at Brillstein Entertainment also executive producing.
DEVELOPMENT — FX
An untitled single-cam from Tone Bell and Mark Agee, about four guys and college. Bell and Agee writing a script, EPing with Brian Gatewood, Alex Tanaka, Lowell Shapiro and Mike Dill.
DEVELOPMENT — ABC
Men In Shorts, a single-cam based on Robbie Rogers, the first openly gay man in professional soccer. From Universal TV and Storyline Entertainment, with Claudia Lonow writing and showrunning, Craig Zadan, Neil Meron and Jordon Nardino executive producing.
DEVELOPMENT — CBS
An untitled multi-cam from Ed Helms, written by Mike Arnold, via Pacific Electric and Universal TV. About a guy who returns from Japan and moves in with his divorced sister to become de facto babysitter to her kids.
DEVELOPMENT — NBC
Like Father, Like Son, from Will Packer and Universal TV, and inspired from Packer’s life about a divorced man in his 30s who discovers he had a teenage son from a one-night stand back during college. Michael Pennie writing and executive producing with Packer. Korin Huggins co-executive producing.
DEVELOPMENT — NBC
Back On The Farm, a single-cam from Krysten Ritter and Maggie Bandur, about a Hollywood actress who has to move back in with her family on their farm. Via Universal TV and Silent Machine Entertainment.
CASTING — MTV
Ken Jeong Made Me Do It, in a pilot presentation, will star Jeong alongside Marshall Allman, with Bonnie Dennison and Justin Hires.
PITCHING — Warner Bros.
Monster-In-Law, a multi-cam adaptation of the 2005 movie that starred Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda. Written by Amy B. Harris and John Riggi, with the movie producers (Chris Bender and J.C. Spink) also executive producing.
PITCHING — Legendary TV
Lost in Space, an adaptation of the 1960s TV series. Written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, executive producing with Kevin Burns, the series rights-holder.
