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)





[08/17/26 - 11:01 AM]
Video: First-Look at the "Reality Villains" Season Premiere of "Celebrity Weakest Link"
In each themed episode, eight celebrities from the worlds of television, sports, film, and entertainment's next generation compete to win up to $1 million for the charity of their choice.

[08/17/26 - 10:59 AM]
ESPN's Exclusive Coverage of the 2026 Little League Baseball World Series, Presented by T-Mobile Begins Aug. 19
ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC will combine to present all 38 games throughout the tournament, culminating with the Little League Baseball World Series Championship Game on Sunday, August 30, at 3 p.m. on ABC.

[08/17/26 - 10:38 AM]
FOX Sports Set to Serve Up More Women's College Volleyball on Broadcast Television Than Any Network in History
The eight FOX contests mark the most women's college volleyball matches ever aired on broadcast television by any network in a single season.

[08/17/26 - 10:16 AM]
ABC News Live Premieres New Multiplatform Streaming Programming on Disney+, Hulu and ABC News Live
"All Access with Linsey Davis," "Searched," "Burden of Proof" and "Doctor's Note" will stream on Disney+, Hulu, ABC News Live and across ABC News digital platforms and will be available on the ABC News Podcast Network.

[08/17/26 - 09:31 AM]
Video: NBC Debuts Official Trailer & First Look Images for "The Traitors: New Blood"
The first two episodes will debut Thursday, September 17 with a special two-hour extended premiere (Episodes 1 & 2) on NBC from 8:00 - 10:00 PM ET/PT.

[08/17/26 - 09:24 AM]
Guests Announced for Season 13 of "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr." Following the Third Consecutive Emmy Award Nomination for the Acclaimed Series
The new season lineup includes actors Elizabeth Banks, Carrie Coon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ilana Glazer, Nikki Glazer, David Alan Grier, Ashley Judd, Randall Park, Wendell Pierce, Danny Ramirez, Natasha Rothwell, Allison Williams and Noah Wyle.

[08/17/26 - 09:01 AM]
HBO Renews "It: Welcome to Derry" for a Second Season
Brad Caleb Kane will serve as showrunner.

[08/17/26 - 09:00 AM]
The CW Network Sets Monday, October 5 Premiere for "Private Eyes West Coast" and "Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent" Season 2
Jason Priestley and Cindy Sampson star in the former, a spin-off of the popular "Private Eyes" series that ran for five seasons and licensed in more than 180 territories worldwide.

[08/17/26 - 08:31 AM]
Netflix and Spotify's The Ringer Sign Tom Pelissero to Multi-Year Agreement Across NFL Content & Coverage
Pelissero will join Netflix's broadcast team as sideline reporter, in addition to NFL Insider, across the streamer's full slate of games this season.

[08/17/26 - 08:01 AM]
Pluto TV Launches New Format, Double Feature Fridays, in Partnership with "Entertainment Tonight"
Each pairing is connected by shared talent, genre, or theme, and introduced through original "Entertainment Tonight" segments hosted by correspondent Emily Curl.

[08/17/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "A Different World" - Official Trailer - Netflix
"A Different World" returns to Hillman College with a new class stepping onto campus - and beloved faces coming home.

[08/17/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Hollywood Arts" - Official Teaser - Netflix
The next chapter in the "Victorious" universe is coming only on Netflix, October 15.

[08/17/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "The Drop: A Snowfall Saga" - Official Trailer - FX
The series follows "Snowfall" characters Wanda Bell (Gail Bean) and Leon Simmons (Isaiah John) as they fight to reinvent themselves in '90s Los Angeles, where the fallout from the crack epidemic is fueling a new game: the rise of West Coast rap.

[08/17/26 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "The Diplomat" Season 4 - Official Teaser - Netflix
In season four, two marriages threaten to eat each other alive.

[08/17/26 - 06:01 AM]
Prime Video Debuts "The Terminal List" Season Two First Look Images, Starring Chris Pratt
All eight episodes, executive produced by Chris Pratt, Antoine Fuqua, David DiGilio, and author Jack Carr, will premiere on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.