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. Like FX yesterday greenlighting Baskets, starring Zach Galifianakis and coming from him, Louis C.K. and Jonathan Krisel; it’ll go into production in 2015 with a launch date in 2016. 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? Sept. 11, 2014, edition
PUT PILOT — FOX
An untitled single-cam starring John Stamos, from Dan Fogelman, ABC Studios and Rhode Island Ave Productions, and written by Danny Chun. Stamos would play himself, except with the added surprise of finding out the bachelor was a father and now a grandfather. Stamos already is on an ABC midseason drama, Members Only, and potentially part of a Full House revival.
PUT PILOT — ABC
Couch Detective, an hourlong comedic mystery from Lauren Iungerich, about a woman in her 30s who solves crimes thanks to her couch-potato TV viewing of crime shows. From Warner Bros. Television, with fellow executive producers Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman and KristieAnne Reed.
PUT PILOT — FOX
A single-cam from Scott Silveri, directed by Jake Kasdan, about a family “that’s good at handling the challenges it faces, and excellent at creating new ones.” They’re executive producing with Melvin Mar. From 20th Century Fox TV.
CASTING — BRAVO
Bravo’s upcoming scripted comedy, Odd Mom Out, loosely based on star/creator Jill Kargman’s life, also will feature roles fro Andy Buckley, Abby Elliott, Sean Kleier, KK Glick, and Joanna Cassidy.
SCRIPT COMMITMENT — FOX
100 Grand, a single-cam from Nick Thomas and Jake Johnson, has a script commitment plus penalty. From 20th Century Fox TV and Walcott Co., directed by Max Winkler and written by Thomas, it’s about two men who have to pay off a local crime boss. Thomas, Winkler and Johnson executive produce with 3 Arts’ Dave Becky, Oly Obst and Jonathan Berry.
SCRIPT COMMITMENT — NBC
An untitled multi-cam from Chris Moynihan about the young adults these days in a competitive pub quiz. From Universal TV, and executive produced by Moynihan with Jonathan Prince.
DEVELOPMENT — NBC
A single-cam written by Steven Cragg and Brian Bradley, from producer David Janollari, Janollari Entertainment and Universal TV. About a science blogger who moves from Manhattan to New Jersey and focuses his blogging on his suburban neighbors.
DEVELOPMENT — ABC
Nuclear Family, from writers/executive producers Pete Huyck and Alex Gregary, from Dark Toy Entertainment and ABC Studios. About a married couple who have a child but also adopt eight children from around the globe, and the mayhem and life lessons that ensue. With other executive producers Todd Holland and Karey Burke.
DEVELOPMENT — NBC
Poor House, a multi-cam written by and starring Julian McCullough and inspired by his teen years. Executive produced alongside Mike Pennie, Ed Helms and Mike Falbo, from Pacific Electric Company and Universal TV.
