Top-Rated TBS Builds on Success with a Development Slate of Primetime Sitcoms and Late-Night Projects

Top-Rated TBS Builds on Success with a Development Slate of Primetime Sitcoms and Late-Night Projects

Slate Features Projects from Such Comic Talents as Robert Townsend, Elaine Pope, Betty Thomas, Dave Caplan, The Jim Henson Company, Mark Wolper and Brian Hargrove

Popular and Critically Acclaimed Series MY BOYS, THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW and FRANK TV Slated to Return

ATLANTA, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- TBS, television's top-rated comedy network, is ramping up its production of original programming with a slate of primetime comedy series in development, two late-night pilots ordered and three late-night projects in the works. The network, which currently ranks as ad-supported cable's #1 network in primetime delivery of young adults, has enjoyed tremendous success with such original programming as MY BOYS, THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW and FRANK TV. All three of those series are set to return.

"We're very proud to be returning all of our new series for additional episodes and that the response has been so positive among young adults and critics," said Michael Wright, senior vice president in charge of the Content Creation Group for TBS and sister networks TNT and TCM. "It's a real validation of our strategy of working with veteran comedy talent to develop shows that complement the lineup of memorable comedies on TBS. Our goal is to continue to reach out to the very best talent in the business and give them the environment they need to help us build and enhance TBS's brand."

Primetime projects in development include a sitcom adaptation of Jane Ganahl's bestselling memoir Naked on the Page: The Misadventures of My Unmarried Midlife, along with half-hour comedies from Dave Caplan (The Drew Carey Show) and Brian Hargrove (Titus). For late night, TBS has ordered pilot presentations of the animated series STAY TOONED (working title) and a new edition of the classic game show MATCH GAME. TBS is also working on late- night comedies with Robert Townsend, The Jim Henson Company and Mark Wolper.

   The following is a rundown of TBS's projects:    Primetime Series in Development    Untitled Elaine Pope/Betty Thomas Series  

TBS has begun development on a new sitcom to be based on Jane Ganahl's sassy, insightful memoir Naked on the Page: The Misadventures of My Unmarried Midlife. Emmy(R) winner Betty Thomas (Dream On, The Brady Bunch Movie) will direct, should TBS move forward. The pilot for the series will be adapted by Emmy winner Elaine Pope (Seinfeld, Alfie) from Ganahl's critically acclaimed book about one woman's rollercoaster ride through middle-age. Beginning with the launch of her wildly successful San Francisco Chronicle column "Single Minded" and ending with her 50th birthday, Ganahl's book follows one frenetic year in a smart, social, middle-aged woman's life. It's a year of prodigious change, both personal and professional, further complicated by hormonal upheaval, family issues and the stunning realization that, after a life filled with too many men to count, she may stay single.

Untitled Dave Caplan Series

Dave Caplan (The Drew Carey Show) is writing this project from Sony Pictures Television. It follows the life of a woman who manages to get through the day with surprisingly good humor despite very difficult circumstances: Her husband walks out, leaving her with two kids and a struggling lumberyard. Caplan is basing the premise on his own life, in which his single mother raised him and his two sisters while running a business. He serves as executive producer along with Original Film's Neal Moritz (The Fast and the Furious, I Am Legend) and Vivian Cannon (Thief).

Untitled Brian Hargrove Series

Brian Hargrove (Titus) is writing this domestic comedy about a low-level judge and her husband, who happens to be a prosecuting attorney. The project, set in Raleigh, N.C., comes to TBS from Endemol, with Hargrove and Jeremy Gold (How You Look to Me) serving as executive producers.

   Late-Night Pilot Presentations Ordered    MATCH GAME  

TBS has ordered a pilot presentation of an all-new, late-night edition of the long-running comedic game show MATCH GAME. The series, in which contestants match wits with a panel of celebrity guests, marks the network's biggest-ever foray into game shows. It comes to TBS from FremantleMedia North America.

STAY TOONED (Working Title)

This project features animated shorts as seen through the eyes of three animated "viewers" who surf through their cable spectrum in search of entertainment. It comes to TBS from Icebox 2.0, which is owned by Tal Vidgerson, Rob Lazebnik, John Collier and Howard Gordon. Executive producers are Vidgerson (The 1/2 Hour News Hour) and writer-actress Henriette Mantel (The Awful Truth).

   Late-Night Series in Development    Untitled Henson Sketch Show  

The Jim Henson Company is working on this late-night sketch comedy that uses their signature puppetry style. Brian Henson and Lisa Henson are executive producers.

Untitled Robert Townsend Show

Robert Townsend is executive-producing, writing, directing and starring in this late-night sketch/variety show.

UNMADE (Working Title)

In this half-hour late-night comedy series, a family of made mobsters tries to transition into a legitimate business. This project comes to TBS from Warner Horizon Television and Mark Wolper Productions and is executive- produced by Mark Wolper.

TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television's top- rated comedy network. It serves as home to such original comedy series as My Boys, The Bill Engvall Show, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, 10 Items or Less and Frank TV; hot contemporary comedies like The Office, Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Family Guy, King of Queens, Seinfeld and Friends, with My Name Is Earl joining the lineup in March; specials, such as Funniest Commercials of the Year; live events like The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: TBS

CONTACT: Michelle Sisco, Atlanta, +1-404-885-4784,
michelle.sisco@turner.com, Eileen Quast, Los Angeles, +1-310-788-6797,
eileen.quast@turner.com, Susan Ievoli, New York, +1-212-275-8016,
susan.ievoli@turner.com

Web site: http://www.tnt.tv/

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Profile: International Entertainment