On the heels of a series of renewals and extensions and the announcement of an unprecedented development slate exclusive to Snapchat, Comedy Central today reveals the balance of its 2016-2017 content development slate, including five series pick-ups, ten new specials and eleven pilot orders, it was announced by Kent Alterman, President, Original Programming, Comedy Central.
The scope of the announcements further solidify
Comedy Central as the home of the smartest, funniest series and talent with the most vibrant, expansive and multiplatform development pipeline in the industry, and exemplifies the #1 brand in comedy's breadth and depth of content across all screens and platforms and its commitment to find, cultivate and grow unique comedic voices and serve them to their fans.
"As anyone can see, we are continuing our tradition of collaborating with the smartest, funniest talent - both established and emerging, and in front of or behind the camera - to develop content across every imaginable platform, whether through long form, short form or ephemeral form, that is always bound by a strong, distinctive point of view," said Alterman. "Otherwise, the announcement speaks for itself."
Comedy series/specials orders have been handed out to:
Jordan Klepper - "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" correspondent Jordan Klepper will star in a special revolving around social, cultural and political issues
Kevin Hart's Hartbeat Productions - will produce and star in two original, stand-up series
Jeff Ross - will bring the popular "Roast Battles" from the
COMEDY CLUB to the screen; and follow up his acclaimed special "Jeff Ross Roasts Criminals" with "Jeff Ross Roasts the Police"
Untitled Comedy Documentaries -
Comedy Central is making an unprecedented commitment to a series of cutting edge comedy documentaries thatwill offer a specific and unique take on compelling stories from the world of comedy - a project conceived for the network by Emmy®-nominated "Drunk History" and "Another Period" executive producer and director, Jeremy Konner, and Pentimento Productions documentary Producer Emma Pildes.
Stand-up Specials - Kurt Braunohler, Deon Cole, Pete Davidson, Joe DeRosa, Trevor Moore, Big Jay Oakerson, Dan Soder and The Goddamn Comedy Jam
"Typical Rick" - a digital series from creators Nick Swardson and filmmaker Nicholaus Goossen, which will star Swardson and Simon Rex
In other development news,
Comedy Central has signed "Daily Show with Trevor Noah" correspondents Jessica Williams and Jordan Klepper to independent development deals, with Williams co-writing, producing and starring in a half-hour scripted narrative pilot and Klepper producing and starring in a late night talk show presentation. Production deals include projects from Amy Schumer, Chris Hardwick, Channing Tatum, Olivia Wilde, Jack Black, Eva Longoria, Ed Helms, Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone, along with Abominable Pictures, Above Average, Funny Or Die, Gloria Sanchez Productions, and Serious Business, among others. Details on series greenlights, and pilot and script deals follow below.
2016-2017 CONTENT DEVELOPMENT SLATE
SERIES/SPECIALS GREENLIGHTS
"Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City" - produced by Hartbeat Productions, this eight-episode series follows Kevin Hart as he travels to different cities to explore the local comedy scenes in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Birmingham, Miami and Sacramento. In this series, executive produced by Hart, Dave Becky of 3 Arts Entertainment, Leland "Pookey" Wigington and Michele Armour, Hart will introduce some of the newest voices in comedy today. Jonas Larsen and JoAnn Grigioni are the Executives in Charge for Comedy Central.
Untitled Kevin Hart Stand-Up Series - also produced by Hartbeat Productions, this stand-up series features six half-hour episodes of stand-up where Kevin Hart will spotlight one up-and-coming comedian each episode. Executive produced by Hart, Dave Becky of 3 Arts Entertainment and Leland "Pookey" Wigington. Jonas Larsen and JoAnn Grigioni are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
"Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle" - this new competition comedy special features a no-holds-barred verbal boxing match where comedians go head-to-head in a battle of wit and insults. Led by the Roastmaster General, Jeff Ross, and the referee/comedian, Brian Moses, this Fight Club of comedy is presented in a bracket style competition where two comics in each round face off, roast each other and a winner is declared by a celebrity panel of judges. This unique comedy competition is a true clash of the sharpest, funniest, roast comics on the planet. Welcome to the Thunderdome of comedy! Executive produced by Ross, Joel Gallen, Amy Zvi, Willie Mercer, Moses and Rell Battle. Jonas Larsen, Christian McLaughlin, Jordan Ellner and Ryan Moran are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
"Jeff Ross Roasts the Police" - Freeze, you're under a-roast! America's Roastmaster General, Jeff Ross, steps into some burning national issues and rides along in the hottest seat in town in his new one-hour special. Following on the heels of his celebrated roast of inmates and guards at the Brazos County Jail, this special finds Jeff looking at the complicated national issues surrounding policing; from race, profiling and excessive force to the risks officers take every day and the effect that police work has on their lives, families and health. To understand what it means to be a cop in America today, Ross steps behind the thin blue line for a ride-along/Roast-along with a cross section of officers from a major, metropolitan police force. Along the way, Jeff meets with perps, anti-police activists, newly-minted cadets and seasoned top brass. Executive produced by Ross, Nick McKinney, Meghan O'Hara, Stu Miller, Amy Zvi and Willie Mercer. Jonas Larsen and Christian McLaughlin are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
Untitled Comedy Documentaries -
Comedy Central is making an unprecedented commitment to a series of cutting edge comedy documentaries thatwill offer a specific and unique take on compelling stories from the world of comedy - a project conceived for the network by Emmy®-nominated "Drunk History" and "Another Period" executive producer and director, Jeremy Konner, and Pentimento Productions documentary Producer Emma Pildes. The network is partnering with Konner and the award-winning team at Susan Lacy's Pentimento Productions - Emma Pildes, Jessica Levin and the legendary documentarian Susan Lacy - creator and former executive producer of the multiple award-winning
PBS cultural biography series "American Masters."
Comedy Central will invite notable comedy talent, writers, producers and directors to tell a specific story that is personal, unique and anchored in comedy. Each documentary will have its own look, feel and sensibility based on the storyteller's personal perspective. These new stories will be surprising, funny and will use a visual language to give each film a singular identity.
"Typical Rick" - this five-episode, digital series stars Nick Swardson as "Gary" and Simon Rex as "Rick," best friends from the Midwest who move to Hollywood in an attempt to chase their dreams...well, "Gary's" dreams. Unfortunately for this odd couple, "Rick" turns out to be the worst "plus one" in history, constantly imploding any chance of success with the same inappropriate party-guy antics he's displayed their whole lives. Created by Swardson and filmmaker Nicholaus Goossen, who will also direct, "Typical Rick" filters life in Los Angeles through their unique voice. Jordan Ellner, Rachel Olson and Natalie Gergely are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
Untitled Jordan Klepper Special - "Daily Show" correspondent Jordan Klepper brings his unique point-of-view to this special that focuses on social, cultural and political issues. Executive produced by Klepper and Kirsten Ames. Sarah Babineau and Ari Pearce are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
Untitled Goddamn Comedy Jam Special - An Ugly Brothers Studios production, this one-hour special is executive produced by Joel Gallen, Josh Adam Meyers and Mike and Tim Duffy. Based on the hit
UNDERGROUND live show called The Goddamn Comedy Jam, it's the intersection of comedy genius and rock & roll dreams featuring five stand-up comedians telling funny, poignant and ridiculous stories that have an association with an iconic hit song. After each story, the comedians sing their song live backed by the Comedy Jam Band. Jonas Larsen, Gary Mann and Ryan Moran are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
Untitled Pete Davidson Stand-up Special - "SNL" cast member, Pete Davidson, will shoot his first one-hour stand-up special at the Skirball Center in NYC on April 30.Executive produced by Davidson, Tim Sarkes, and Joel Gallen, who will direct. Andrew Singer and Erin Doyle will serve as consulting producers for Broadway Video. Anne Harris and Miro Terrell are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
"Deon Cole: Cole Blooded Seminar" - Deon Cole gets it poppin' in Washington DC's Lincoln Theatre in his first one-hour stand-up special. The "Conan" writer and co-star of "Black-ish" explains what's thicker than cold peanut butter, knowing when better looking dudes are around, how to manage his blackness and more. Executive produced by Cole, Kirsten Ames and Pupcake Productions' Neal Marshall. JoAnn Grigioni is the Executive in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
"Big Jay Oakerson Live at Webster Hall" - "Big" Jay Oakerson makes his one-hour special debut on Comedy Central. Filmed at the legendary New York City music venue provides the perfect heavy metal comedy vibe for Jay's special. Jay's comedy is raw, compelling and honest to the core, as he takes viewers on a journey of brutal truths about his relationship with his daughter, sexual tension between he and his best friend Dave and offers advice to women on how to delicately handle men with an unfortunate penis size. Big Jay's comedy special will bring couples together, tear them apart or just make them laugh. Executive produced by Oakerson, Cris Italia, David Kimowitz and Tony Hernandez. Christian McLaughlin and Miro Terrell are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
"Dan Soder: Not Special" - filmed at the historic Trocadero Theater in Philadelphia, Dan Soder's first stand-up special offers up his smart, unpretentious take on fancy potheads, tech-savvy two-year olds, only children, and his new way to release tension. He also thinks his "Nana" is better than yours. "Dan Soder: Not Special" is executive produced by Soder, Brian Stern, and Neal Marshall. JoAnn Grigioni and Miro Terrell are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
Untitled Kurt Braunohler Stand-up Special - Comedian, sky writer, and master of the absurd, Kurt Braunohler, will shoot his first one-hour stand-up special this fall. It is executive produced by Braunohler and Avalon. Anne Harris is the Executive in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
Untitled Joe DeRosa Stand-up Special - Joe DeRosa will shoot his first one-hour stand-up special this fall. Ryan Moran is the Executive in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
Untitled Trevor Moore Stand-up Special - In his second one hour special, Trevor Moore willuse music and sketch to talk about a large variety of topics (but mostly about a girl named Krystal who would never talk to him in high school). Jonas Larsen, JoAnn Grigioni and Jordan Ellner are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
