or


[10/29/10 - 08:34 AM]
Spike TV Presents New Slate of Scripted Original Pilots
The crop includes six comedies, "many of which revolve around the crazy antics of dysfunctional co-workers and families" and a one-hour drama focusing on domestic terrorism.

[via press release from Spike TV]

SPIKE TV PRESENTS NEW SLATE OF SCRIPTED ORIGINAL PILOTS

New Projects Aimed At Expanding The Network's Audience To Reach Older Guys

New York, NY, October 29, 2010 - Spike TV presents a new slate of scripted original pilots aimed at expanding and broadening the network's male audience. The crop of new shows includes six comedies, many of which revolve around the crazy antics of dysfunctional co-workers and families and a one-hour drama focusing on domestic terrorism.

The projects announced today by Spike are from some of the most creative minds in Hollywood including Beth McCarthy Miller, Thom Beers, and Walt Becker.

Already reaching Men 18-34 with such original shows as "Deadliest Warrior," "Blue Mountain State," "The Ultimate Fighter" and "1000 Ways To Die," the network views these shows as a way to reach older guys with themes relevant to their lives.

"We have spent the last few years successfully bringing in Men 18-34 with a mix of action, outrageous comedy and fun infotainment." said Kevin Kay, president, Spike TV. "Now we're focused on bringing 25-49 year-olds with scripted fare that they can relate to - especially workplace and family humor."

Spike's new slate of scripted pilots includes: (please note all are working titles):

THUNDERBALLS

This half-hour comedic series follows three life-long friends who comprise a beer league bowling team called the "Thunderballs." The show chronicles their efforts to balance their battle for supremacy at the lanes with their crazy personal and family lives. The project is written by Jim and Steve Armogida ("Grounded for Life," "The Return of Jezebel James") and executive produced by Walt Becker ("Wild Hogs," "Van Wilder").

UNTITLED AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS COMEDY

The producers of "Deadliest Catch" and "Ice Road Truckers" introduce a high-stakes workplace comedy focusing on the fun-loving yet dysfunctional men and women air traffic controllers at a major international airport. The project is being penned by Andrew Waller and Mike Gagerman ("Road to Nardo"). Thom Beers and Philip D. Segal will executive produce for Original Productions.

UNTITLED BETH McCARTHY MILLER PROJECT

From acclaimed "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live" director, Beth McCarthy Miller, comes a ripped-from-the-headlines comedy about a veteran sports writer and the crazy world of modern-day athletes he reports on. The project will be executive produced by Miller and Steven Brill ("Mr. Deeds," "Little Nicky," "The Mighty Ducks.")

POWERBALL

When a 30-something loser who still lives with his parents wins the multi-million dollar Powerball lottery, he decides to use his newfound wealth to buy the love and respect of his family and community. The half-hour single camera comedy comes from Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen and Steven Cragg (Mad TV) and will be produced by Principato-Young Entertainment with Peter Principato, Paul Young and Joel Zadak serving as executive producers.

AT EASE

Two misfit U.S. Army drill sergeants utilize unorthodox methods to turn an endless stream of recruits into the greatest fighting force on earth while staying one step ahead of an uptight new captain with a grudge. The show is written by Gabe Snyder and Mike Alber ("Jailbait," MTV's "Death Valley").

UNTITLED FAMILY BARBECUE COMEDY

Tired of the corporate rat race, a "Clark Griswold"-type cashes in his 401k and drags his family kicking and screaming to pursue his dream of competing on the professional barbecue circuit. The show is written by veteran scribe Russell Marcus ("Married with Children").

F.T.W.

A gritty one-hour drama focusing on an Atlanta police officer who is recruited by the Department of Homeland Security to return to his hometown and infiltrate a militia organization linked to domestic terrorism with which he has familial ties. The project is written by Craig Gore and Tim Walsh.

Spike TV's first scripted comedy, "Blue Mountain State," returned for a second season last week to stellar ratings. The premiere drew a 1.34 rating in Men 18-34, up 34% compared to the first season average and was ranked #2 in its timeslot.

"Blue Mountain State" is produced by Varsity Pictures' Brian Robbins ("Varsity Blues," "Smallville," "One Tree Hill") and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett and Lionsgate. Romanski, who also stars as Sammy, and Eric Falconer ("The Sarah Silverman Program," "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia") also serve as executive producers and writers.

Overseeing the scripted projects are Laurence Sullivan director, original programming, Spike TV and Dustin Davis, manager, original programming, Spike TV.

Spike TV is available in 98.6 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.





  [october 2010]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· 1000 WAYS TO DIE (SPIKE TV)
· 30 ROCK (NBC)
· AT EASE (SPIKE TV)
· BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE (SPIKE TV)
· DEADLIEST CATCH (DISCOVERY)
· DEADLIEST WARRIOR (SPIKE TV)
· DEATH VALLEY (MTV)
· FTW (SPIKE TV)
· GROUNDED FOR LIFE (WB)
· ICE ROAD TRUCKERS (HISTORY)
· IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA (FXX)
· ONE TREE HILL (CW)
· POWERBALL (SPIKE TV)
· RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES, THE (FOX)
· SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM, THE (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC)
· SMALLVILLE (CW)
· THUNDERBALLS (SPIKE TV)
· ULTIMATE FIGHTER, THE (PARAMOUNT PLUS)
· UNTITLED AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS COMEDY (SPIKE TV)
· UNTITLED BETH MCCARTHY MILLER PROJECT (SPIKE TV)
· UNTITLED FAMILY BARBECUE COMEDY (SPIKE TV)





[08/05/26 - 12:31 PM]
Taron Egerton, Jamie Chung, Benjamin Norris, Dylan Arnold, Jessy Hodges, and Milan Carter Join the Cast of "I Love LA" Season 2
Mood board turned reality.

[08/05/26 - 12:01 PM]
Top 10 Most-Watched Prime Original Films & Series for the Week of July 27
"Ride or Die," "Off Campus," "Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya," "Elle," and "Reacher" led all original series worldwide.

[08/05/26 - 12:00 PM]
Untitled "Gilmore Girls" Documentary in Production and Coming to HBO Max
The film marks the first-ever authorized documentary about the series, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of its debut in 2025.

[08/05/26 - 11:04 AM]
Hallmark Media, NFL, Skydance Sports and the Chicago Bears Announce the Starting Lineup for "Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story"
Lyndsy Fonseca, Robert Buckley, Marsha Mason, Barbara Alyn Woods, and Khary Payton will star.

[08/05/26 - 11:01 AM]
Peacock Renews "The Five Star Weekend" for a Second Season
According to preliminary Nielsen data, the series ranked among the Top 5 streaming original series during its first two weeks following its July 9 premiere.

[08/05/26 - 11:01 AM]
CBS Media Ventures Sets September Premieres for New and Returning Hit Series
New productions include "Adam's Law" and "American Mayhem."

[08/05/26 - 10:32 AM]
Video: TNT Reveals Trailer and First Look at Highly Anticipated Limited Series "High Value Target: The Hunt for Saddam" Starring Joel Kinnaman
The first two episodes will debut Sunday, September 13 at 9pm ET/PT, followed by episode three on Monday, September 14 at 9pm ET/PT on TNT.

[08/05/26 - 10:11 AM]
Disastrous Home Renovations Get a Second Chance in New HGTV Series "Botched Homes"
General contractor and master craftsman Charlie Kawas will rescue South Florida homeowners from some of the region's most disastrous renovation projects in the new series, premiering Wednesday, September 2.

[08/05/26 - 10:10 AM]
Cherry Jones, Corey Stoll, Rob Delaney, Abbey Lee Join Netflix Series Based on Dan Brown's "The Secret of Secrets"
They join the previously cast Morgan Spector as Robert Langdon and Rebecca Hall as Katherine Solomon.

[08/05/26 - 09:21 AM]
Grammy Award-Nominated Group Katseye Returns to "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" For First-Ever Late-Night Performance on Wednesday, Aug. 12
Group members Sophia Laforteza, Lara Raj, Daniela Avanzini, Yoonchae Jeung and Megan Skiendiel will sit down with Fallon to chat about their new music and upcoming tour.

[08/05/26 - 09:01 AM]
Varnell Hill Is Back in the Spotlight: First Look at the Long-Awaited Comedy Series "The Varnell Hill Show," Premiering Globally September 1 on Paramount+
The eight-episode first season will make its global debut on Paramount+ with two episodes on Tuesday, September 1, followed by one new episode every Tuesday through October 13.

[08/05/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Untold: The Testimony of Vince Young" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After delivering one of the greatest performances in Rose Bowl history, Texas Longhorns legend Vince Young was the NFL's next big thing, and for a while, he was.

[08/05/26 - 08:46 AM]
Paramount+ Announces New Scripted Drama "Trauma"
When terrorists seize a busy London Hospital and take the Prime Minister hostage during surgery, former Royal Marines medic turned ER doctor Jim Marchant (Richard Madden) must fight his way through the building to save everyone inside.

[08/05/26 - 08:41 AM]
Investigation Discovery Exposes the Story Behind One of Television's Most Controversial Reality TV Projects in "O.J. Unseen: Exploitation of Evil"
The four-part documentary event premieres on Monday, September 7 and Tuesday, September 8 at 9/8c on ID, with episodes available to stream on HBO Max.

[08/05/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind: UK" Season 3 - Official Trailer - Netflix
A new group of UK singles enter the iconic dating pods in search of love - but who will make it out of the pods and down the aisle?