or


[12/09/21 - 11:00 AM]
Freeform Orders "Praise Petey" (Working Title) Animated Comedy Series
The voice cast includes Annie Murphy, John Cho, Christine Baranski, Kiersey Clemons, Amy Hill and Stephen Root.

[via press release from Freeform]

FREEFORM ORDERS 'PRAISE PETEY' (WORKING TITLE) ANIMATED COMEDY SERIES FROM CREATOR AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ANNA DREZEN AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS MONICA PADRICK, BANDERA ENTERTAINMENT'S MIKE JUDGE, GREG DANIELS, DUSTIN DAVIS, SHADOWMACHINE'S ALEX BULKLEY AND COREY CAMPODONICO AND 20TH TELEVISION ANIMATION

Annie Murphy, John Cho, Christine Baranski, Kiersey Clemons, Amy Hill and Stephen Root to Star

Freeform has ordered the half-hour animated comedy series "Praise Petey" (working title) from creator, writer and executive producer Anna Drezen (head writer, "Saturday Night Live") and executive producer Monica Padrick ("Central Park"), along with Bandera Entertainment's Mike Judge, Greg Daniels and Dustin Davis, and ShadowMachine's Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico. The series is produced by Disney Television Studios' 20th Television Animation, with animation by ShadowMachine.

"Praise Petey" (working title) follows Petey, a New York City "it" girl who has it all until her life comes crashing down around her. As luck would have it, a mysterious gift from her father gives her a new lease on life: she's going to "lean into" modernizing his small-town cult.

"Anna Drezen's comedic voice and her POV on life and pop culture are perfect for Freeform," said Jamila Hunter, executive vice president, Programming and Development, Freeform. "Entering the animation space in partnership with prolific creators like Mike, Greg, Anna, Monica and Dustin is like arriving at a party with the coolest kids in town. We can't wait to share their hilarious show with our audience."

Anna Drezen added, "I can't believe I get to make this show with so many funny and smart people. Getting to work with Monica, Bandera, Freeform, ShadowMachine, 20th Television Animation and this amazing cast has been a blast and dream - a bleam. This rules."

The series stars Annie Murphy ("Schitt's Creek") as Petey, once the girl who had everything, now she has to use her city smarts to revamp her father's failing cult and be a better leader than he was, a much more laidback one - a nice one - a girl boss!

John Cho ("Cowboy Bebop") voices Bandit, a potential love interest for Petey and a cult member since childhood whose mother was a high-ranking member.

Kiersey Clemons ("The Flash") voices Eliza, a bartender at the local bar and reluctant BFF to Petey, working at her new cult.

Christine Baranski ("The Good Fight") voices White, Petey's mother. She's a magazine editor, Manhattan society woman and a terrifying perfectionist who's never eaten, tasted or seen ketchup.

Amy Hill ("Magnum P.I.") voices Mae Mae, Bandit's Southern mama oozing with Southern hospitality who happens to be the right-hand woman of a cult leader.

Stephen Root ("Barry") voices Petey's loving father, a charming, homespun, stone-cold cult leader with some pretty unique ideas about meditation, space, jumping up and down in a field, and how his bloodline is necessary for the salvation of mankind. He may or may not be dead.

"Praise Petey" (working title) will begin production in early 2022.

Anna Drezen is represented by WME, Artists First and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.

About Freeform

Freeform's distinct brand of coming-of-age programming helps to position it as the No. 1 primetime cable network in entertainment among Women 18-34 in fiscal year 2021 to date. Connecting to audiences with its bold original programming and immersive social engagement, Freeform channels the force and momentum of its young adult audience in its quest for progress with authentic, groundbreaking original series such as Emmy(R)-nominated "grown-ish," "Good Trouble," "Motherland: Fort Salem," "Single Drunk Female" and "Cruel Summer," which is the No. 1 new cable drama of 2021 to-date among Women 18-34. In 2021, Freeform aired three of the Top 10 scripted cable original series among Women 18-34 - more than any other network, with "grown-ish" ranking as cable's No. 1 live-action cable comedy series of the year with both Adults 18-34 and Women 18-34.

About 20th Television Animation

A unit of Disney Television Studios, 20th Television Animation is a leading supplier of adult animated series. 20th Television Animation currently produces 11 animated shows across broadcast, cable and streaming services including the longest-running primetime scripted series in the history of television, "The Simpsons," which recently celebrated its 700th episode; Hulu's most-watched original comedy premiere to date, "Solar Opposites," from Justin Roiland and Mike McMahan; Emmy(R) Award-winning comedy "Bob's Burgers," from Loren Bouchard and Nora Smith; FOX's long-running "Family Guy" from Seth MacFarlane and showrunners Rich Appel and Alec Sulkin; TBS' No. 1 series "American Dad!" created by Mike Barker, Matt Weitzman and Seth MacFarlane; Apple TV's "Central Park," featuring the vocal talents of Josh Gad, Daveed Diggs, Leslie Odom Jr., Kathryn Hahn and Tituss Burgess; and FOX's most recent hit "The Great North" from Lizzie and Wendy Molyneux. Other 20th Television Animation classics include "Futurama," "King of the Hill" and "The Cleveland Show."

About ShadowMachine

Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico are Co-Founders of ShadowMachine, the award-winning animation production house renowned for passionate storytelling and highly skilled artistry in live-action, 2D animation, stop-motion, and 3D/CG. The studio is a collective of artists, writers, and directors nurtured within a collaborative environment, as showcased through its critically acclaimed, multi-award winning body of work which includes "BoJack Horseman," "Final Space," "Tuca & Bertie," and "Robot Chicken." In addition to a wide spectrum of projects in development and production, ShadowMachine is currently producing Dan Harmon and Nathan Pyle's series "Strange Planet" for Apple TV+ and Guillermo del Toro's stop-motion animated feature film "Pinocchio" for Netflix.





  [december 2021]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· PRAISE PETEY (FREEFORM)





[05/07/26 - 10:09 AM]
BET Announces the Return of the Black + Iconic Soiree on May 23, 2026 at MGM National Harbor, Hosted by Laverne Cox, Celebrating Culture, Community, and Impact
The Black + Iconic Soirée brings together luminaries, advocates, and changemakers for an intimate evening of recognition, reflection, and celebration.

[05/07/26 - 10:02 AM]
New Episode Of HBO Original Documentary Series "The Yogurt Shop Murders" Debuts May 22
The first four episodes of the series are currently available to stream on HBO Max.

[05/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Starz Sets June 12 Premiere Date for Visceral and Haunting Drama "The Listeners," Starring BAFTA and Golden Globe Nominee Rebecca Hall
Adapted from Jordan Tannahill's bestselling novel of the same name, the female-driven series centers on Claire Kutty, a popular English teacher who suddenly begins to hear a low, persistent hum that no one else around her can hear.

[05/07/26 - 10:00 AM]
Performers Announced for "The 52nd American Music Awards" Live Monday, May 25
Hootie & the Blowfish, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma, Riley Green, SOMBR, Teddy Swims and Twenty One Pilots will all deliver can't-miss performances featuring some of today's biggest hits and fan favorites.

[05/07/26 - 09:30 AM]
PBS America @ 250 Continues with Semiquincentennial-Themed Programming to Mark the Nation's Historic Anniversary
New programming will air throughout 2026 and will include rebroadcasts of Ken Burns's groundbreaking 12-hour film, "The American Revolution."

[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils Commentator Roster for 2026 Roland-Garros
Live coverage from Paris will be presented across TNT, truTV and HBO Max in the U.S., combining elite match analysis, signature studio programming and expansive cross-platform storytelling.

[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Criminal Minds: Evolution" Season 19 Trailer & Key Art Announcement
This season will premiere with two episodes, with each episode dropping weekly thereafter through the season finale on July 23.

[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
The History Channel Partners with The White House on New "Mission to Honor: A 250th Salute to American Veterans" Initiative
At the heart of the initiative is a series of first-person video profiles featuring veterans from World War II through the Global War on Terror.

[05/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: HBO Releases New Teaser and Images for the Upcoming Original Series "Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness," Featuring President Obama and Larry David
In addition to David, the series will feature select "Curb Your Enthusiasm" actors and noteworthy guest stars.

[05/07/26 - 09:00 AM]
E! Greenlights "Cocktail Wars" Hosted by Lance Bass and Joey Fatone
The series pits America's buzziest mixologists against each other in a lively, high-stakes showdown for $10,000 per episode.

[05/07/26 - 08:59 AM]
Wells Adams Named Co-Host of "Big Break x Good Good" Presented by Golf Galaxy Returning This August on Golf Channel
A self-admitted golf nut and long-time fan of Big Break, Adams joins Big Break Dominican Republic winner, former LPGA Tour pro and Golf Channel personality Blair O'Neal as co-host for Season 24.

[05/07/26 - 08:31 AM]
"The Forsytes" Season 3 Starts Production and Announces New Cast
Gregg Sulkin and Gabriel Antunes have joined the returning ensemble.

[05/07/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "The Chi" Says Goodbye - Trailer and Key Art Unveiled for Landmark Final Season, Premiering May 22 on Paramount+
Produced by 20th Television, Lena Waithe's acclaimed drama series will conclude with 10 episodes rolling out weekly every Friday.

[05/07/26 - 08:01 AM]
Apple TV's "The Dynasty: UConn Huskies" Set to Premiere Globally August 21, 2026
Featuring exclusive interviews with the 2025 National Championship team alongside voices from across generations of UConn basketball, the series offers a rare, inside look at the players carrying the program forward while reflecting on the legacy that built it.

[05/07/26 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video's "We Were Liars" Casts Six New Series Regulars for Season Two
Josh Dallas, Costa D'Angelo, Parker Lapaine, Peyton List, Elysia Roorbach and Madison Wolfe are among the latest additions.