or


[02/18/04 - 12:00 AM]
Comedy Central Outlines 2004 Original Series
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- Seven new series - three animated, four live action - are set to unspool on Comedy Central in 2004, the network announced today.

Among the newest pick-ups were (descriptions taken from the network's press release):

CROSSBALLS - Shot in front of a studio audience, "Crossballs" is a smart, comedic spoof of topical debate shows. Comedian Chris Tallman has been cast as host. Matt Besser ("Upright Citizens Brigade") and Charlie Siskel ("The Awful Truth") are executive producers.

ODD TODD (eight episodes) - "Odd Todd" is an animated series about the plight of a modern day, unemployed character named Todd and his struggle to make ends meet. Based on the real life adventures of creator Todd Rosenberg, "Odd Todd" is a laid off New Yorker who can't seem to get motivated enough to figure out what to do with the rest of his life. Rosenberg launched his own website three years ago (www.oddtodd.com) and has since received an astounding seven million hits. He's also the author of "The Odd Todd Handbook: Hard Times, Soft Couch," a best selling book on Amazon.com. David Stern ("Monk," "The Simpsons") will serve alongside Rosenberg as executive producer.

UNTITLED HOLLOW MEN PROJECT - Reminiscent of the legendary group Monty Python, The Hollow Men bring their unique comedic voice to America exclusively on Comedy Central. The troupe received critical acclaim for their live sketch show at Edinburgh Festival in 2001 and 2002; and they were the recipients of the prestigious Jury Award at the 2003 US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, CO. They were also chosen by Variety as one of the top 10 Comic Acts to Watch in 2003. The Hollow Men consists of members and creators Rupert Russell, Sam Spedding, Nicholas Tanner and David Armand.

The three new projects join the cable channel's four previously announced series (descriptions also culled from various press releases):

DRAWN TOGETHER (eight episodes) - This is the true story of eight characters, picked to live in a house to find out what happens when people stop being real and start getting animated. Presented as if it were a real Primetime reality series, "Drawn Together" answers the question of what happens when eight completely different cartoon characters from various genres and styles live together and have their lives filmed for the entire world to see. "Drawn Together," created and written by Matt Silverstein and Dave Jeser, has received an order for eight episodes and is scheduled to premiere on Comedy Central in October 2004. The eight episode scripted series is an original, fictional narrative unlike anything audiences have seen before. "Drawn Together" captures the comedic and outrageous daily adventures of eight mismatched cartoon characters using the dramatic storytelling conventions of established reality television shows. The housemates include: "Captain Hero," a not so moral do-gooder reminiscent of the Saturday morning TV super heroes of the 70's; "Clara," a 20 year old sweet and naive fairy-tale princess; "Toot," a black and white pudgy heart throb from the 20's; "Foxxy Love," a sexy mystery solving musician; "Spanky Ham," a foul-mouthed internet download pig; "Ling-Ling," an adorable Asian trading card cubby creature; "Wooldoor-Sockbat," a wacky Saturday morning whatchamacallit; and "Xandir," a strong young adventurer, similar to the great video game warriors. Credits for "Drawn Together" include Matt Silverstein and Dave Jeser as creators, writers and executive producers. The series is based on characters developed by Silverstein, Jeser and Jordan Young ("The Simpsons"). Zoe Friedman is the executive in charge of production for Comedy Central.

SHORTIES (13 episodes) - Comedy Central has also tapped comics Patrice Oneal and Nick DiPaolo to provide the voices on the animated series, "Shorties" (formerly titled "House Arrest"). Oneal and DiPaolo, regular contributors to the Comedy Central series "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn," play two over-sophisticated, under-supervised infants whose primary babysitter becomes the television. Through their eyes, viewers see different animated comedy bits from existing A-list stand-up routines. Denis Leary and Jim Serpico of Apostle will serve as executive producers, with Tom Sellitti and Eric Brown serving as co-executive producers.

UNTITLED GRAHAM NORTON PROJECT (13 episodes) - Graham Norton is coming to America and his destination is Comedy Central. The British TV sensation, star of Channel Four's hit series, "So Graham Norton," will be very busy at the all-comedy network for the next two years with an American version of the award-winning variety/talk show (premiering in June), his own stand-up special and hosting duties of Comedy Central's "Reel Comedy." Describing the new series, Norton says "It's going to be like a great big American pie, hot and tasty and I know what you Americans like to do to pie." The untitled variety/talk series, the first hour-long series in Comedy Central's history, will be reminiscent of the outrageous Norton's previous British efforts, combining celebrity and audience interviews with pre-taped segments. The weekly series will produce episodes the same week they premiere and has received a 13-episode commitment for the first season. In addition, Norton will star in his own hour-long stand-up special (air date TBD) and will host four installments of Comedy Central's "Reel Comedy," which takes a behind-the-scenes, unique, in-depth look at the hottest new comedic films. Raised in the Republic of Ireland, the 39 year-old Graham Norton is currently one of the most popular entertainers on British television. The critically-acclaimed Norton has won numerous British Academy (BAFTA) awards, including this year's BAFTA for Entertainment Performer, and an International Emmy for Best Popular Arts Program in 2001. His big break in the world of comedy came in 1997 when he was nominated for the prestigious Perrier comedy award at the world-famous Edinburgh Festival, which led to multiple TV offers and, ultimately, to the creation of the hugely successful "So Graham Norton" on Britain's Channel Four. Currently on a stand-up tour in the United States, Norton's international popularity has already led to specials in Japan ("Ah So Graham Norton") and Mexico ("Si Graham Norton"). Norton's production company, So TV, will produce the variety/talk show with Norton and Graham Stuart serving as the executive producers.

UNTITLED WANDA SYKES PROJECT (six episodes) - Comedienne powerhouse Wanda Sykes comes to Comedy Central in a six-episode commitment deal for a yet-to-be-titled weekly series that will focus on her real-life attempts to do everyday jobs outside show business. The show finds Wanda performing real jobs with an "I can do that" attitude. The way into each job might be based on a problem that she encounters in her real life. Weekly episodes may find Wanda installing cable television or even performing minor surgery. Sykes will star and executive produce the series, with Lance Crouther also serving as executive producer. Sykes' and Crouther's newly-formed production company, Brick To The Head Productions, will produce the series in association with Comedy Central's Central Productions, LLC.

Exact premiere dates and time slots will be announced in the near future.





  [july 2025]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· AWFUL TRUTH, THE (BRAVO)
· CROSSBALLS (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· DRAWN TOGETHER (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· GRAHAM NORTON EFFECT, THE (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· HOLLOW MEN, THE (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· MONK (USA)
· ODD TODD (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· SHORTIES WATCHIN' SHORTIES (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· SIMPSONS, THE (FOX)
· WANDA DOES IT (COMEDY CENTRAL)





[07/17/25 - 11:35 AM]
ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball Presented by Capital One" Schedule Update: Division Leaders Collide as Detroit Tigers Visit Philadelphia Phillies on August 3
This marks the third "Sunday Night Baseball" appearance of the 2025 regular season for the Tigers and the fourth appearance for the Phillies.

[07/17/25 - 11:01 AM]
ABC Announces Fall 2025 Premiere Dates on the Heels of Scoring the Top 5 Programs in Adults 18-49 for the 2024-2025 Season
All original programming will stream the next day on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers.

[07/17/25 - 10:31 AM]
"XO, Kitty" Has Wrapped Production on Season 3 with New Cast Added to the Fan-Favorite Series
As part of the third season, Sule Thelwell, Soy Kim and Christine Hwang joined the cast; and Hojo Shin was upped to a series regular.

[07/17/25 - 10:01 AM]
Prime Video Reveals Cast for "Every Year After"
The cast includes Sadie Soverall as Percy, Matt Cornett as Sam, Aurora Perrineau as Chantal, Abigail Cowen as Delilah, Michael Bradway as Charlie, and Joseph Chiu as Jordie.

[07/17/25 - 10:00 AM]
HBO Original Four-Part Documentary Series "The Yogurt Shop Murders" Debuts August 3
In 1991, four teenage girls were brutally murdered at a frozen yogurt shop in Austin, Texas. What happened that night forever shook the Austin community and continues to mystify the police and haunt the families left in the wake of unthinkable loss.

[07/17/25 - 09:57 AM]
"Dexter: Resurrection" Debuts to a Killer 3.1 Million Cross-Platform Viewers
Said premiere was up 44% versus "Dexter: Original Sin" and 79% versus "Dexter: New Blood."

[07/17/25 - 09:48 AM]
Sports Media Powerhouses FOX Sports and Barstool Sports Team Up in Comprehensive Content Deal
Starting this fall, Barstool Sports owner and founder Dave Portnoy becomes a regular contributor to "Big Noon Kickoff," bringing a deep-rooted passion for the game and keen understanding of its culture, rivalries and fanbases to his weekly segments at the desk.

[07/17/25 - 09:01 AM]
Netflix Summer Break Brings the Heat with New Unscripted Series & Fan-Favorite Renewals
Upcoming premieres include "Love is Blind UK" Season 2 (August 13); "Love is Blind" Season 9 (October 1); "Selling Sunset" Season 9 (October 29); "Selling the OC" Season 4 (November 12); and "Owning Manhattan" Season 2 (December 5).

[07/17/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Trailer and Key Art Debut - "Red Eye"
Starring Jing Lusi and Richard Armitage, the high-stakes action thriller "Red Eye" premieres Tuesday, July 22, streaming exclusively in the U.S. on Hulu.

[07/17/25 - 08:59 AM]
Prime Video Announces August 7 Premiere Date for "Taurasi"
The three-part docuseries chronicles the extraordinary journey of basketball legend Diana Taurasi, whose relentless pursuit of greatness has transcended the boundaries of sport.

[07/17/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Night Always Comes" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Facing eviction in a city her family can no longer afford, a woman plunges into a desperate and increasingly dangerous all-night search to raise $25,000.

[07/17/25 - 08:00 AM]
Video: We TV Releases Exclusive First Look at "Life After Lockup"
The new season follows seven former inmates and their significant others from the hit series Love After Lockup and Love During Lockup as they navigate their emotional journey to keep their love alive and stay free.

[07/17/25 - 07:31 AM]
"Assassin's Creed" Heads to TV in "High-Octane" Live-Action Series Adaptation
Netflix has greenlit a live-action adaptation of the beloved franchise launched in 2007 by the French video game publisher Ubisoft.

[07/17/25 - 07:16 AM]
Video: "Fixed" - Director's Cut - Official Red Band Teaser - Netflix
From visionary director Genndy Tartakovsky comes "Fixed," an adult animated comedy about Bull, an average, all-around good dog who discovers he's going to be neutered in the morning!

[07/17/25 - 07:15 AM]
Video: National Geographic Unveils Trailer for New Season of "Limitless: Live Better Now," Where Global Movie Star Chris Hemsworth Embarks on a Bold New Mission to Unlock the Secrets of Living Better - Now
All episodes will stream August 15 on Disney+ and Hulu and will air on National Geographic on August 25.