Pavan
03-27-2005, 03:29 PM
It's that time of the year again! Our 3rd Annual ABC sitcom pilot development! The last two years we provided in-depth coverage of all the sitcom pilots on ABC:
2003-04:http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66324
2004-05: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=104775
This year, we'll do the same. This thread will be updated constantly, so keep checking back for title updates, cast updates, photos, which make it and more. There are 15 sitcom pilots in development. Which do you think will make it? Only between 2-4 will make it, so make your picks now.
FALL 2005 SITCOM PILOTS:
"Adopted"
Half Hour
Cast:
Kevin Wheatley: Lloyd Leaf
Bernadette Peters: Mrs. Leaf
Andrew Walker: Tucker
Christine Baranski: Judy Rabinowitz
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe: Rachel
Credits:
Production Company: 20th Century Fox Television
Executive Producers: Kevin Abbott, Peter Principato, Paul Young
Executive Producers/Writers: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Director: Ted Wass
Every kid thinks about it and some dream it's really true, but no one expects to wake up one day and find out they're actually adopted – especially when they're 30. Well that's what Lloyd Leaf learned this morning… from a card attached to roses his birth mother sent.
A semi-successful author of historical biographies that neither his mother nor brother have read, Lloyd really should have figured this out by now. He's way smarter while they're thinner and better looking. He's romantically challenged while his brother sleeps with a new girl every day. Mom never told him about this little adoption thing because, well, she never wanted what's happening now. Lloyd is trying to blend his two families, but repressed WASP adopted mom Sarah wants nothing to do with his Jewish biological earth mother, Judy. It's a battle of nature vs. nurture with the big winner being Lloyd, who finally has a few answers to his own nagging doubts.
Created by improv actors Jim Rash (RENO 911!) and Nat Faxon (The Groundlings), this wacky collection of neuroses adds up to a comedy that puts the "me" in family.
"Bobby Cannon"
Half Hour
Cast:
Kevin Sorbo: Bobby
Rocky Carroll: Rich
Kate Walsh: London
Joanna Canton: Nikki
Thad Luckinbill: Dallas
Kevin Michael Richardson: Lincoln
Credits:
Production Company: Touchstone Television
EP/Writer/Director: Barry Kemp
Executive Producers: Eric Gold and Courtney Conte
The people of Chicago aren't just sports fans, they're fanatics. Enter the shrine to da Bears, Quarterback Bobby Cannon's Sports Bar & Grill. Parked on Chicago landmark Navy Pier, this bar is the fans' home away from home. It's the only chance for them to rub shoulders with the great man himself.
Bobby Cannon roams his bar with pride of ownership, surrounded by family, friends and fans. Unfortunately one fan is also the new quarterback the Bears drafted to eventually replace him: a young, wholesome, nice kid who's really hard to hate. It's a flag on his life to remind him the clock is running down on his career. Fortunately, Bobby's just beginning to write his autobiography, and his beautiful, literate editor has got him revved up for the challenge of out-throwing, outrunning and outperforming the new kid. She says it'll make a great final chapter. She also turned his advances down cold, but that's another challenge he's ready to rise to.
Kevin Sorbo (Hercules: The Legendary Journeys) tackles a memorable new character in the tradition of Sam Malone. Grab a brewski and kick off the season with the next great sports comedy from the producer of the hit series Coach.
"Crumbs"
Half Hour
Cast:
Fred Savage: Mitch
Jane Curtin: Suzanne
Eddie McClintock: Jack
William Devane: Barry
Maggie Lawson: Andrea
Credits:
Production Companies: Touchstone Television and Tollin/Robbins
Executive Producer/Writer: Marco Pennette
Executive Producers: Mike Tollin & Brian Robbins
Director: Ted Wass
Family is enough to drive anyone a little crazy. Children keep secrets from their parents so they won't upset them, dads leave for other women and moms try to run over dads with the car. Actually, that was the point when the Crumb family knew Mom was crazy.
Estranged brothers Mitch and Jack Crumb reunite in their small hometown to deal with their mother Suzanne, who is being released from a psychiatric country club and has yet to discover that her ex-husband is about to have a baby with his new girlfriend. They have issues… major issues. Central to everything is the dynamic between these two brothers; Mitch is the prodigal son who is returning home after a failed Hollywood career, and Jack is the older brother who has stayed in the confines of their small New England town to run the family business. Together for the first time as adults, this family will have to stick by one another despite their combustible relationships.
The creator of Caroline in the City mines his own WASP family for comic gold that's smart, funny and surprising. Starring Fred Savage (The Wonder Years) and Jane Curtin (two-time Emmy Award winner for Kate & Allie, SNL, 3rd Rock from the Sun) and from the producers of Smallville and One Tree Hill comes an offbeat comedy everyone can relate to.
"Testing Bob" (AKA Peter Dinklage Project)
Half Hour
Cast:
Peter Dinklage: Robinson (Bob) Hart
Busy Philipps: Madison (Maddie) West
Dave Foley: Andy Savage
Dana Davis: Ryan
Tina Majorino: Allison Barrett
Steven C. Parker: Joseph Petty
Jake Weary: Harris
Credits:
Production Company: Touchstone Television
Executive Producer/Writer: Donald Todd
Executive Producer: Stu Bloomberg
Director: Rodman Flender
Some people believe that children are the future and that no child should be left behind. But when the principal of Francis Drake High School hires his smart-aleck slacker friend to take over the gifted and accelerated class, some of the other teachers are worried that the future of these kids does not look very bright at all. Appearances are not everything in this comedy where one teacher's somewhat selfish passion for life makes an amazing impact on a group of students that goes well beyond anyone's expectations.
Bob Hart had been wasting his life working in a used bookstore. He was happy as a man like him could be until his best friend Andy convinced him to become a high school English teacher for gifted students. When the highly motivated students meet their barely motivated new teacher it's a culture clash of atomic proportions. Plus Bob's weird teaching techniques, like selling grades for cash, keep getting him sent to the principal's office. But after the dust settles it's clear that this just might work out great, at least until Bob does something else to screw things up.
Acclaimed actor Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent, "I'm With Her") creates a lovable curmudgeon in the tradition of Archie Bunker. It's a rich offbeat comedy that proves inspiration can come from the most unlikely sources, like teenagers.
"Emily's Reasons Why Not"
Half Hour
Cast:
Heather Graham: Emily
Nadia Dajani: Reilly
Khary Peyton: Josh
Smith Cho: Glitter
Credits:
Production Company: Sony Pictures Entertainment, Pariah
Writer: Emily Kapnek
Executive Producers: Gavin Polone, Vivian Cannon, Robin Schiff
Director: Michael Patrick Jann
Emily Sanders has many things going for her. She's young, single, has terrific friends and a great job in publishing. In fact, she's got the hottest selling book in town. Unfortunately, she's just closed the chapter on her relationship with the roguishly handsome, two-timing author.
Now a lovelorn Emily must face the fact that the self-described "flutter-flutter" of her heart can't be considered a trusted compass. However, like any successful professional, Emily has a plan. From here-on-out, she's going to listen to the "Reasons." Five "Reasons Why Not" and he's history. The "Reasons" will not only guide her in matters of love, but life in general. For instance, steering clear of her back-stabbing former assistant, Glitter Cho.
Based on the bestselling novel of one successful single woman's search for love, this smart and stylish comedy explores life, love and sex in the city from an independent woman's point of view.
"Goss/Holly Project"
Half Hour
Cast:
Fred Goss: Cameron Walker
Gillian Vigman: Liz Walker
Allison Quinn: Sharon Fenton
Jerry Lambert: Don Fenton
Desmond Harrington: Wylie Blake
Credits:
Production Companies: Broadway Video in association with NBC Universal Television Studios
Executive Producers/Writers: Fred Goss, Nick Holly
Executive Producer: Joanne Alfano
Director: Fred Goss
Family is always unpredictable, so why write a family comedy when you can live dangerously and improvise instead? Like real families, you never know what will happen when you give characters total freedom.
Adult siblings Cameron, Sharon, and Jenna have many years of shared history in this small town that includes many mistakes. This is proved by the multiple marriages and many children in their close extended clan. Sharon's postponed her mid-life crisis for the sake of her kids but her sexless marriage and slacker son don't make things easy for her. Jenna, the youngest, wanted to be a singer, but instead is a single mom who still lives at home. Luckily her parents love babysitting their grandson. Middle child Cameron, despite having kids from two marriages is the glue that holds the family together. With all the messy interpersonal relationships, rivalries and religious differences, everyone needs someone to be the family's designated driver.
Leading this three-ring family circus is Executive Producer Lorne Michaels, the comedy veteran behind the long-running Saturday Night Live.
"Marsha Potter Gets A Life" (AKA: Holly Hester Project")
Half Hour
Cast:
Brenda Blethyn: Marsha
Michael McMillian: Eddie
Derk Cheetwood: George
Jenna Von Oy: Mary-Ellen
Erin Hershey Presley: Jane
Eugene Byrd: Jake
Kevin Dunn: Archie
Credits:
Production Companies: Touchstone, NBC/Universal
Executive Producer/Writer: Holly Hester
Executive Producers: Conan O'Brien, AJ Morewitz
Director: Barnett Kellman
In America, we rank motherhood as holy as baseball and apple pie, but in reality, the only people who understand how tough a job it is are mothers. Caregiver, chauffeur, cook, tutor, therapist, cheerleader… it's a one-woman service industry that consumes a whole life.
Though her kids are all grown up, Sally's decided it's never too late to find yourself. Divorcing her cheating husband, Sally moves to a small apartment to begin the business of independence, but unfortunately, life has passed her by. A complete lack of computer skills might keep some people from applying for a job at a web design firm, but her mothering instincts get her hired. Score one for the vintage woman! There are still plenty of obstacles to overcome – from paying bills, to home security, to reentering the dating scene – but Sally will attack them all with the same confidence that allowed her to start fresh. Well, maybe she'll have her grown son sleep over a few more nights, just to be on the safe side.
A writer from The Drew Carey Show creates a woman with incredible nerve in a comedy of second chances. 50 really is the new 30 because there's still a lot of living left to do.
"Hot Properties"
Half Hour
Cast:
Audra Blaser: Emerson
Stephen Dunham: Charlie
Evan Handler: Sellers
Gail O'Grady: Ava
Nicole Sullivan: Chloe
Sofia Vergara: Sophia
Credits:
Production Company: Warner Bros. Television
Executive Producer/Writer: Suzanne Martin
Director: Andy Ackerman
Manhattan real estate is a realtor's market. No one ever gets what they want so they're always looking for something better, a concept that applies equally well to relationships.
Ava, Sophia and Chloe have taken the cutthroat out of their real estate business by working as a team with the mantra "What Would Oprah do?" Chloe's single and insecure, Ava's a fabulous 40 with a brand new boy toy husband and Sophia's a Latina lovely who recently discovered her husband is gay. All three worked hard to be successful, but today, their world expanded when naïve socialite Emerson walked though the door. They were supposed to sell her and her fiancé a home, but instead broke up her engagement and got a new partner. She brings to the table her phone book of friends waiting to be housed. Together these four friends will turn over properties while turning heads.
In the tradition of Designing Women, Golden Girls and Sex & The City comes an uninhibited comedy with real career women trying to have real relationships. One of the Emmy award-winning producers of the mega-hit Frasier reveals just how exciting the world of New York real estate can be.
"Joint Custody"
Half Hour
Cast:
Nicholas D'Agosto: Joel
Kurt Fuller: Charlie
Will McCormack: Mike
Whitney Sloan: Lisa
Bret Loehr: Lev
Marilu Henner: Roz
Credits:
Production Company: 20th Century Fox Television
Executive Producer/Writer: Joel Stein
Executive Producers: Regina Stewart, Shawn Levy
Director: Shawn Levy
Divorce is always hardest on the kids because after a difficult marriage, anything will be easier for the parents. However, the hardest divorce to swallow is when the child has no clue his parents are even having problems.
With his B.A. and job in hand, 22-year-old Joel's ready for his hip new Manhattan life, but he just ran into some nasty surprises. His job is half what he anticipated and his Mom and Dad are suddenly divorced. Now living in two homes (weekdays with mom, weekends with dad) and hanging out with the same Jersey crowd from high school, this is not the cool grown-up life he imagined. Especially since he has no privacy for the essential "grown up" stuff a guy's got to do. It's gonna be tough, but after the shock wears off, maybe he can pick up some tips on leveraging the guilt from his sister. Thankfully, he's got those two days a week he goes into the Manhattan office… pure bliss!
The youngest columnist at TIME Magazine, humorist Joel Stein takes a page from his own life to create a comedy of our time. It's a wacky world where college degrees don't deliver and the concept of family is changed forever. It's called the real world.
"love life" (AKA: Kaplan/Elfont Project)
Half Hour
Cast:
Tom Everett Scott: Sam
Julie Bowen: Jane
Michael Landes: Todd
Alan Tudyk: Oakes
Alan Tudyk: Oakes
Lucy Davis: Paige
Credits:
Production Companies: Touchstone Television
EP/Writers/Directors: Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont
Executive Producers: Jaime Tarses, Karey Burke
For singles in their thirties, dating becomes more focused on finding the right one rather than enjoying the right now. One quick way to sort out rejects is to expose them to your close friends. They give instantaneous feedback… often brutal.
Newly dating, Sam and Jane's friends approve of the pair, but that doesn't mean they're all going to get along. Sam's friends are a good looking group of guys who are used to playing the field and getting what they want from relationships and then moving on. They're men behaving badly, pursued by the girls who find that irresistible. Jane's friends, on the other hand, are attractive women who are tired of the playboys and one-night-stand scam-artists and are looking for something more mature and ready to take on the next phase in the adventure of life… whatever that might be. Can these two disparate mindsets reconcile?
Ed's Julie Bowen and the writing and directing team behind Can't Hardly Wait take you on a tour of modern relationships set in today's world where couples are forming later in life with a lot of instant pressure to move forward and get committed.
"Chris Kattan Project"
Half Hour
Cast:
Chris Kattan: Chris King
James Patrick Stewart: Scott
Tinsley Grimes: Lily
Leigh-Allyn Baker: Mona
Kate Hodge: Paula
Chris Williams: Vince
Credits:
Production Company: 20th Century Fox Television, 3 Arts
Executive Producers/Writers: Michael McCullers, Tom Maxwell, Don Woodard
Executive Producers: Michael Rotenberg, David Miner, Steve Tann
Director: Andy Cadiff
Saturday Night Live alum Chris Kattan brings his high-energy humor to primetime comedy as unpredictable, egocentric consumer watchdog Chris King.
This morning, Chris was so fired, but fortunately his boss had a heart attack and died before telling HR. If only the rest of his problems would go away that easily. That's the crux of the issue: Chris sees everything only as it relates to him. It's not the consumer fraud he's exposing, but how he looks while exposing it. It's not his wife's need for space, but how their divorce will make him look to his parents. And if it takes burning down a stadium or disrupting an entire hotel just to make him look good, then Chris is the man to do it. Good thing his tireless assistant Mona is there to put out the flames.
Former SNL Writer Michael McCullers (Austin Powers 2 and 3) and writers from Just Shoot Me create a manic take on local TV news. The next hurricane to hit Florida is named Chris King.
"Neighbors"
Half Hour
Cast:
Lenny Clarke: Hal
Brian Benben: Clem
Sarah Steele: Paula
Ann Cusack: Judy
Melinda McGraw: Leslie
Jordan Masterson: Jack
Kenneth Schmidt: Jim
Ashley Benson: Mindy
Credits:
Production Company: Touchstone Television
Executive Producer/Writer: Michael Caleo
Executive Producers: Matt Gross, Courtney Conte, David Richardson
Director: Jeff Melman
Suburbia is crammed with disparate folks parked side-by-side in little boxes with a ribbon of grass. Noise, light, upkeep, parking, cooking odors can all become petty annoyances at best, grist for a feud at worst. If good fences make good neighbors, then these two men need a continental divide to keep the peace.
Clem's a member of the entitled elite who keeps a neat lawn, a nice car and a healthy body. His neighbor Hal's careless behavior and loud lifestyle rub Clem the wrong way. But Hal merely enjoys what little free time he gets and wishes uptight Clem would just chill out. Unfortunately, their wives have become best friends and their sons are inseparable. How can a man carry on the battle if he's housing enemy agents? What the men don't realize is that as much as they despise each other, they learn from each other, too.
From a writer on The Sopranos and Rescue Me comes a tale of suburban warfare that explodes with hilarity.
"Freddie Prinze, Jr. Project"
Half Hour
Cast:
Freddie Prinze, Jr.: Freddie
Chloe Suazo: Zoey
Brian Green: Chris
Jenny Gago: Grandma
Jacqueline Obradors: Sofia
Credits:
Production Companies: Warner Bros. Television, Mohawk Productions
Executive Producers/Writers: Bruce Helford, Freddie Prinze, Jr., Bruce Rasmussen
Producer/Writer: Conrad Jackson
Executive Producer: Deborah Oppenheimer
Director: John Pasquin
Four women to every man are great odds when you're a single guy out on the town, but not ideal when it comes to your living situation. Freddie is a young, successful chef with his own restaurant and a stylish bachelor pad. The world should be his oyster at this stage in life, but bachelorhood isn't working out exactly as he envisioned.
Freddie loved growing up in a house full of women. He loved the energy of everyone running around, loved cooking for them all, but now he's finally realizing why his father used to lock himself in the bathroom just for some piece and quiet. Still, Freddie believes family always comes first which is why he insisted his sister, sister-in-law, niece and grandmother come live with him after his brother-in-law passed away. Slowly, but surely, they are taking over his domain, and voicing their many opinions about his love life. Freddie will have to learn to balance his role as provider, brother, grandson, and uncle, all while trying to enjoy what should be his swinging single days.
The creative force behind The Drew Carey Show and George Lopez serve up a comedic dish based on the raucous femme-filled real life of star Freddie Prinze, Jr. (She's All That, Scooby Doo).
"Red & Blue"
MID-SEASON
Cast:
Annie Potts: Annie
Credits:
Production Company: Touchstone Television
Executive Producers/Writers: Dan Staley, Rob Long
Executive Producers: Tom Shadyac, Michael Bostick, Bruce Ferber
Never before has America been so divided politically. With the current President elected by a slim margin, the media goes on and on about the two opposing camps of citizens. And like many of the late night hosts have discovered, it's a gold mine for comedy.
When liberal UC Berkeley Poli-Sci professor Kenny Blumenfeld and his wife have a new baby, his conservative Vietnam-vet father-in-law Red Callahan and his wife move in for a couple of months to help out. The clashing begins immediately as Kenny seems to represent everything Red thinks is terrible in a parent and Red provides every influence Kenny is trying to keep away from his children. Their respective wives do their best to keep these radically different men in line, but everyone realizes that the friction is not going to go away overnight. Things go from bad to worse when Red has a minor medical emergency and it looks like they're all going to be living together indefinitely.
This fall, from the producers of "8 Simple Rules," only one comedy dares to ask, "Can the Red states and the Blue states live under one roof?" The answer is yes, but there will be fireworks every single night.
"Torgove/Kaplan Project" AKA: "Play Mates"
Half Hour
Cast:
Erinn Carter Hayes: Leslie
Susan Ward: Nicole
Michael Boatman: Stewart
David DeLuise: Billy
Rebecca McFarland: Karen
David Alan Basche: Jake
Credits:
Production Company: Warner Bros. Television
Executive Producers/Writers: Mark Torgove, Paul A. Kaplan
Director: Ted Wass
There's no denying that babies change lives, but what doesn't change is the parents' love for their pre-baby lives. Is it possible for urban professionals to transition from friends, to friends with kids, while still having fun?
These three couples met in baby class three years ago and they've bonded over one underlying fear… that their kids will rule their lives. Confident professionals at work, they're unsure how to balance their new tots with their old drives and desires. Especially since these friends still crave sports, parties, free time and, oh yeah, sex.
Their close-knit relationship allows them to ask questions and favors of each other without too much ridicule. Of course the help and advice they get is not always what they need. Fortunately, these days there's always the internet as a last resource.
Two writers from Spin City and George Lopez tell tales from the parent hood. Who says the party has to end just because the group got bigger?
My picks on which will be added to the fall line-up:
"Bobby Cannon" -- Probably will air on TGIF, after Hope & Faith.
"Freddie Prinze Jr. Project" -- Would work well with Stamos, if it returns.
"Crumbs" -- ABC should start a Thursday block of sitcoms, now that NBC is faltering there.
"Chris Kattan Project" -- Thursdays as well, so Stamos, Prinze, Crumbs and Kattan. Yes 3 of 4 are new, but what else can ABC air on Thursdays? Tuesday comedies will be sliced to one hour I think with just Jim and George. Fridays will have My Wife & Kids, 8 Simple Rules, Hope & Faith and Bobby Cannon. So, I'm going with 10 comedies actually, but it could be 8 if they only decide to pick up 2 new comedies.
I think about three will make it, but I added a fourth just in case. Others that sound good: Emily Reasons Why Not and Joel Stein's Joint Custody.
DISCLAIMER:
Please remember most of these pilots will not make it, so it will be kind of cool having a photo of a cast of a show that does not make it. So out of these fifteen sitcoms, probably about 2-4 will make it on the air actually this fall. The rest will go in what is called pilot hell, where tons of pilots each year go.
Please post your thoughts on which you think will make it.
2003-04:http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66324
2004-05: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=104775
This year, we'll do the same. This thread will be updated constantly, so keep checking back for title updates, cast updates, photos, which make it and more. There are 15 sitcom pilots in development. Which do you think will make it? Only between 2-4 will make it, so make your picks now.
FALL 2005 SITCOM PILOTS:
"Adopted"
Half Hour
Cast:
Kevin Wheatley: Lloyd Leaf
Bernadette Peters: Mrs. Leaf
Andrew Walker: Tucker
Christine Baranski: Judy Rabinowitz
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe: Rachel
Credits:
Production Company: 20th Century Fox Television
Executive Producers: Kevin Abbott, Peter Principato, Paul Young
Executive Producers/Writers: Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Director: Ted Wass
Every kid thinks about it and some dream it's really true, but no one expects to wake up one day and find out they're actually adopted – especially when they're 30. Well that's what Lloyd Leaf learned this morning… from a card attached to roses his birth mother sent.
A semi-successful author of historical biographies that neither his mother nor brother have read, Lloyd really should have figured this out by now. He's way smarter while they're thinner and better looking. He's romantically challenged while his brother sleeps with a new girl every day. Mom never told him about this little adoption thing because, well, she never wanted what's happening now. Lloyd is trying to blend his two families, but repressed WASP adopted mom Sarah wants nothing to do with his Jewish biological earth mother, Judy. It's a battle of nature vs. nurture with the big winner being Lloyd, who finally has a few answers to his own nagging doubts.
Created by improv actors Jim Rash (RENO 911!) and Nat Faxon (The Groundlings), this wacky collection of neuroses adds up to a comedy that puts the "me" in family.
"Bobby Cannon"
Half Hour
Cast:
Kevin Sorbo: Bobby
Rocky Carroll: Rich
Kate Walsh: London
Joanna Canton: Nikki
Thad Luckinbill: Dallas
Kevin Michael Richardson: Lincoln
Credits:
Production Company: Touchstone Television
EP/Writer/Director: Barry Kemp
Executive Producers: Eric Gold and Courtney Conte
The people of Chicago aren't just sports fans, they're fanatics. Enter the shrine to da Bears, Quarterback Bobby Cannon's Sports Bar & Grill. Parked on Chicago landmark Navy Pier, this bar is the fans' home away from home. It's the only chance for them to rub shoulders with the great man himself.
Bobby Cannon roams his bar with pride of ownership, surrounded by family, friends and fans. Unfortunately one fan is also the new quarterback the Bears drafted to eventually replace him: a young, wholesome, nice kid who's really hard to hate. It's a flag on his life to remind him the clock is running down on his career. Fortunately, Bobby's just beginning to write his autobiography, and his beautiful, literate editor has got him revved up for the challenge of out-throwing, outrunning and outperforming the new kid. She says it'll make a great final chapter. She also turned his advances down cold, but that's another challenge he's ready to rise to.
Kevin Sorbo (Hercules: The Legendary Journeys) tackles a memorable new character in the tradition of Sam Malone. Grab a brewski and kick off the season with the next great sports comedy from the producer of the hit series Coach.
"Crumbs"
Half Hour
Cast:
Fred Savage: Mitch
Jane Curtin: Suzanne
Eddie McClintock: Jack
William Devane: Barry
Maggie Lawson: Andrea
Credits:
Production Companies: Touchstone Television and Tollin/Robbins
Executive Producer/Writer: Marco Pennette
Executive Producers: Mike Tollin & Brian Robbins
Director: Ted Wass
Family is enough to drive anyone a little crazy. Children keep secrets from their parents so they won't upset them, dads leave for other women and moms try to run over dads with the car. Actually, that was the point when the Crumb family knew Mom was crazy.
Estranged brothers Mitch and Jack Crumb reunite in their small hometown to deal with their mother Suzanne, who is being released from a psychiatric country club and has yet to discover that her ex-husband is about to have a baby with his new girlfriend. They have issues… major issues. Central to everything is the dynamic between these two brothers; Mitch is the prodigal son who is returning home after a failed Hollywood career, and Jack is the older brother who has stayed in the confines of their small New England town to run the family business. Together for the first time as adults, this family will have to stick by one another despite their combustible relationships.
The creator of Caroline in the City mines his own WASP family for comic gold that's smart, funny and surprising. Starring Fred Savage (The Wonder Years) and Jane Curtin (two-time Emmy Award winner for Kate & Allie, SNL, 3rd Rock from the Sun) and from the producers of Smallville and One Tree Hill comes an offbeat comedy everyone can relate to.
"Testing Bob" (AKA Peter Dinklage Project)
Half Hour
Cast:
Peter Dinklage: Robinson (Bob) Hart
Busy Philipps: Madison (Maddie) West
Dave Foley: Andy Savage
Dana Davis: Ryan
Tina Majorino: Allison Barrett
Steven C. Parker: Joseph Petty
Jake Weary: Harris
Credits:
Production Company: Touchstone Television
Executive Producer/Writer: Donald Todd
Executive Producer: Stu Bloomberg
Director: Rodman Flender
Some people believe that children are the future and that no child should be left behind. But when the principal of Francis Drake High School hires his smart-aleck slacker friend to take over the gifted and accelerated class, some of the other teachers are worried that the future of these kids does not look very bright at all. Appearances are not everything in this comedy where one teacher's somewhat selfish passion for life makes an amazing impact on a group of students that goes well beyond anyone's expectations.
Bob Hart had been wasting his life working in a used bookstore. He was happy as a man like him could be until his best friend Andy convinced him to become a high school English teacher for gifted students. When the highly motivated students meet their barely motivated new teacher it's a culture clash of atomic proportions. Plus Bob's weird teaching techniques, like selling grades for cash, keep getting him sent to the principal's office. But after the dust settles it's clear that this just might work out great, at least until Bob does something else to screw things up.
Acclaimed actor Peter Dinklage (The Station Agent, "I'm With Her") creates a lovable curmudgeon in the tradition of Archie Bunker. It's a rich offbeat comedy that proves inspiration can come from the most unlikely sources, like teenagers.
"Emily's Reasons Why Not"
Half Hour
Cast:
Heather Graham: Emily
Nadia Dajani: Reilly
Khary Peyton: Josh
Smith Cho: Glitter
Credits:
Production Company: Sony Pictures Entertainment, Pariah
Writer: Emily Kapnek
Executive Producers: Gavin Polone, Vivian Cannon, Robin Schiff
Director: Michael Patrick Jann
Emily Sanders has many things going for her. She's young, single, has terrific friends and a great job in publishing. In fact, she's got the hottest selling book in town. Unfortunately, she's just closed the chapter on her relationship with the roguishly handsome, two-timing author.
Now a lovelorn Emily must face the fact that the self-described "flutter-flutter" of her heart can't be considered a trusted compass. However, like any successful professional, Emily has a plan. From here-on-out, she's going to listen to the "Reasons." Five "Reasons Why Not" and he's history. The "Reasons" will not only guide her in matters of love, but life in general. For instance, steering clear of her back-stabbing former assistant, Glitter Cho.
Based on the bestselling novel of one successful single woman's search for love, this smart and stylish comedy explores life, love and sex in the city from an independent woman's point of view.
"Goss/Holly Project"
Half Hour
Cast:
Fred Goss: Cameron Walker
Gillian Vigman: Liz Walker
Allison Quinn: Sharon Fenton
Jerry Lambert: Don Fenton
Desmond Harrington: Wylie Blake
Credits:
Production Companies: Broadway Video in association with NBC Universal Television Studios
Executive Producers/Writers: Fred Goss, Nick Holly
Executive Producer: Joanne Alfano
Director: Fred Goss
Family is always unpredictable, so why write a family comedy when you can live dangerously and improvise instead? Like real families, you never know what will happen when you give characters total freedom.
Adult siblings Cameron, Sharon, and Jenna have many years of shared history in this small town that includes many mistakes. This is proved by the multiple marriages and many children in their close extended clan. Sharon's postponed her mid-life crisis for the sake of her kids but her sexless marriage and slacker son don't make things easy for her. Jenna, the youngest, wanted to be a singer, but instead is a single mom who still lives at home. Luckily her parents love babysitting their grandson. Middle child Cameron, despite having kids from two marriages is the glue that holds the family together. With all the messy interpersonal relationships, rivalries and religious differences, everyone needs someone to be the family's designated driver.
Leading this three-ring family circus is Executive Producer Lorne Michaels, the comedy veteran behind the long-running Saturday Night Live.
"Marsha Potter Gets A Life" (AKA: Holly Hester Project")
Half Hour
Cast:
Brenda Blethyn: Marsha
Michael McMillian: Eddie
Derk Cheetwood: George
Jenna Von Oy: Mary-Ellen
Erin Hershey Presley: Jane
Eugene Byrd: Jake
Kevin Dunn: Archie
Credits:
Production Companies: Touchstone, NBC/Universal
Executive Producer/Writer: Holly Hester
Executive Producers: Conan O'Brien, AJ Morewitz
Director: Barnett Kellman
In America, we rank motherhood as holy as baseball and apple pie, but in reality, the only people who understand how tough a job it is are mothers. Caregiver, chauffeur, cook, tutor, therapist, cheerleader… it's a one-woman service industry that consumes a whole life.
Though her kids are all grown up, Sally's decided it's never too late to find yourself. Divorcing her cheating husband, Sally moves to a small apartment to begin the business of independence, but unfortunately, life has passed her by. A complete lack of computer skills might keep some people from applying for a job at a web design firm, but her mothering instincts get her hired. Score one for the vintage woman! There are still plenty of obstacles to overcome – from paying bills, to home security, to reentering the dating scene – but Sally will attack them all with the same confidence that allowed her to start fresh. Well, maybe she'll have her grown son sleep over a few more nights, just to be on the safe side.
A writer from The Drew Carey Show creates a woman with incredible nerve in a comedy of second chances. 50 really is the new 30 because there's still a lot of living left to do.
"Hot Properties"
Half Hour
Cast:
Audra Blaser: Emerson
Stephen Dunham: Charlie
Evan Handler: Sellers
Gail O'Grady: Ava
Nicole Sullivan: Chloe
Sofia Vergara: Sophia
Credits:
Production Company: Warner Bros. Television
Executive Producer/Writer: Suzanne Martin
Director: Andy Ackerman
Manhattan real estate is a realtor's market. No one ever gets what they want so they're always looking for something better, a concept that applies equally well to relationships.
Ava, Sophia and Chloe have taken the cutthroat out of their real estate business by working as a team with the mantra "What Would Oprah do?" Chloe's single and insecure, Ava's a fabulous 40 with a brand new boy toy husband and Sophia's a Latina lovely who recently discovered her husband is gay. All three worked hard to be successful, but today, their world expanded when naïve socialite Emerson walked though the door. They were supposed to sell her and her fiancé a home, but instead broke up her engagement and got a new partner. She brings to the table her phone book of friends waiting to be housed. Together these four friends will turn over properties while turning heads.
In the tradition of Designing Women, Golden Girls and Sex & The City comes an uninhibited comedy with real career women trying to have real relationships. One of the Emmy award-winning producers of the mega-hit Frasier reveals just how exciting the world of New York real estate can be.
"Joint Custody"
Half Hour
Cast:
Nicholas D'Agosto: Joel
Kurt Fuller: Charlie
Will McCormack: Mike
Whitney Sloan: Lisa
Bret Loehr: Lev
Marilu Henner: Roz
Credits:
Production Company: 20th Century Fox Television
Executive Producer/Writer: Joel Stein
Executive Producers: Regina Stewart, Shawn Levy
Director: Shawn Levy
Divorce is always hardest on the kids because after a difficult marriage, anything will be easier for the parents. However, the hardest divorce to swallow is when the child has no clue his parents are even having problems.
With his B.A. and job in hand, 22-year-old Joel's ready for his hip new Manhattan life, but he just ran into some nasty surprises. His job is half what he anticipated and his Mom and Dad are suddenly divorced. Now living in two homes (weekdays with mom, weekends with dad) and hanging out with the same Jersey crowd from high school, this is not the cool grown-up life he imagined. Especially since he has no privacy for the essential "grown up" stuff a guy's got to do. It's gonna be tough, but after the shock wears off, maybe he can pick up some tips on leveraging the guilt from his sister. Thankfully, he's got those two days a week he goes into the Manhattan office… pure bliss!
The youngest columnist at TIME Magazine, humorist Joel Stein takes a page from his own life to create a comedy of our time. It's a wacky world where college degrees don't deliver and the concept of family is changed forever. It's called the real world.
"love life" (AKA: Kaplan/Elfont Project)
Half Hour
Cast:
Tom Everett Scott: Sam
Julie Bowen: Jane
Michael Landes: Todd
Alan Tudyk: Oakes
Alan Tudyk: Oakes
Lucy Davis: Paige
Credits:
Production Companies: Touchstone Television
EP/Writers/Directors: Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont
Executive Producers: Jaime Tarses, Karey Burke
For singles in their thirties, dating becomes more focused on finding the right one rather than enjoying the right now. One quick way to sort out rejects is to expose them to your close friends. They give instantaneous feedback… often brutal.
Newly dating, Sam and Jane's friends approve of the pair, but that doesn't mean they're all going to get along. Sam's friends are a good looking group of guys who are used to playing the field and getting what they want from relationships and then moving on. They're men behaving badly, pursued by the girls who find that irresistible. Jane's friends, on the other hand, are attractive women who are tired of the playboys and one-night-stand scam-artists and are looking for something more mature and ready to take on the next phase in the adventure of life… whatever that might be. Can these two disparate mindsets reconcile?
Ed's Julie Bowen and the writing and directing team behind Can't Hardly Wait take you on a tour of modern relationships set in today's world where couples are forming later in life with a lot of instant pressure to move forward and get committed.
"Chris Kattan Project"
Half Hour
Cast:
Chris Kattan: Chris King
James Patrick Stewart: Scott
Tinsley Grimes: Lily
Leigh-Allyn Baker: Mona
Kate Hodge: Paula
Chris Williams: Vince
Credits:
Production Company: 20th Century Fox Television, 3 Arts
Executive Producers/Writers: Michael McCullers, Tom Maxwell, Don Woodard
Executive Producers: Michael Rotenberg, David Miner, Steve Tann
Director: Andy Cadiff
Saturday Night Live alum Chris Kattan brings his high-energy humor to primetime comedy as unpredictable, egocentric consumer watchdog Chris King.
This morning, Chris was so fired, but fortunately his boss had a heart attack and died before telling HR. If only the rest of his problems would go away that easily. That's the crux of the issue: Chris sees everything only as it relates to him. It's not the consumer fraud he's exposing, but how he looks while exposing it. It's not his wife's need for space, but how their divorce will make him look to his parents. And if it takes burning down a stadium or disrupting an entire hotel just to make him look good, then Chris is the man to do it. Good thing his tireless assistant Mona is there to put out the flames.
Former SNL Writer Michael McCullers (Austin Powers 2 and 3) and writers from Just Shoot Me create a manic take on local TV news. The next hurricane to hit Florida is named Chris King.
"Neighbors"
Half Hour
Cast:
Lenny Clarke: Hal
Brian Benben: Clem
Sarah Steele: Paula
Ann Cusack: Judy
Melinda McGraw: Leslie
Jordan Masterson: Jack
Kenneth Schmidt: Jim
Ashley Benson: Mindy
Credits:
Production Company: Touchstone Television
Executive Producer/Writer: Michael Caleo
Executive Producers: Matt Gross, Courtney Conte, David Richardson
Director: Jeff Melman
Suburbia is crammed with disparate folks parked side-by-side in little boxes with a ribbon of grass. Noise, light, upkeep, parking, cooking odors can all become petty annoyances at best, grist for a feud at worst. If good fences make good neighbors, then these two men need a continental divide to keep the peace.
Clem's a member of the entitled elite who keeps a neat lawn, a nice car and a healthy body. His neighbor Hal's careless behavior and loud lifestyle rub Clem the wrong way. But Hal merely enjoys what little free time he gets and wishes uptight Clem would just chill out. Unfortunately, their wives have become best friends and their sons are inseparable. How can a man carry on the battle if he's housing enemy agents? What the men don't realize is that as much as they despise each other, they learn from each other, too.
From a writer on The Sopranos and Rescue Me comes a tale of suburban warfare that explodes with hilarity.
"Freddie Prinze, Jr. Project"
Half Hour
Cast:
Freddie Prinze, Jr.: Freddie
Chloe Suazo: Zoey
Brian Green: Chris
Jenny Gago: Grandma
Jacqueline Obradors: Sofia
Credits:
Production Companies: Warner Bros. Television, Mohawk Productions
Executive Producers/Writers: Bruce Helford, Freddie Prinze, Jr., Bruce Rasmussen
Producer/Writer: Conrad Jackson
Executive Producer: Deborah Oppenheimer
Director: John Pasquin
Four women to every man are great odds when you're a single guy out on the town, but not ideal when it comes to your living situation. Freddie is a young, successful chef with his own restaurant and a stylish bachelor pad. The world should be his oyster at this stage in life, but bachelorhood isn't working out exactly as he envisioned.
Freddie loved growing up in a house full of women. He loved the energy of everyone running around, loved cooking for them all, but now he's finally realizing why his father used to lock himself in the bathroom just for some piece and quiet. Still, Freddie believes family always comes first which is why he insisted his sister, sister-in-law, niece and grandmother come live with him after his brother-in-law passed away. Slowly, but surely, they are taking over his domain, and voicing their many opinions about his love life. Freddie will have to learn to balance his role as provider, brother, grandson, and uncle, all while trying to enjoy what should be his swinging single days.
The creative force behind The Drew Carey Show and George Lopez serve up a comedic dish based on the raucous femme-filled real life of star Freddie Prinze, Jr. (She's All That, Scooby Doo).
"Red & Blue"
MID-SEASON
Cast:
Annie Potts: Annie
Credits:
Production Company: Touchstone Television
Executive Producers/Writers: Dan Staley, Rob Long
Executive Producers: Tom Shadyac, Michael Bostick, Bruce Ferber
Never before has America been so divided politically. With the current President elected by a slim margin, the media goes on and on about the two opposing camps of citizens. And like many of the late night hosts have discovered, it's a gold mine for comedy.
When liberal UC Berkeley Poli-Sci professor Kenny Blumenfeld and his wife have a new baby, his conservative Vietnam-vet father-in-law Red Callahan and his wife move in for a couple of months to help out. The clashing begins immediately as Kenny seems to represent everything Red thinks is terrible in a parent and Red provides every influence Kenny is trying to keep away from his children. Their respective wives do their best to keep these radically different men in line, but everyone realizes that the friction is not going to go away overnight. Things go from bad to worse when Red has a minor medical emergency and it looks like they're all going to be living together indefinitely.
This fall, from the producers of "8 Simple Rules," only one comedy dares to ask, "Can the Red states and the Blue states live under one roof?" The answer is yes, but there will be fireworks every single night.
"Torgove/Kaplan Project" AKA: "Play Mates"
Half Hour
Cast:
Erinn Carter Hayes: Leslie
Susan Ward: Nicole
Michael Boatman: Stewart
David DeLuise: Billy
Rebecca McFarland: Karen
David Alan Basche: Jake
Credits:
Production Company: Warner Bros. Television
Executive Producers/Writers: Mark Torgove, Paul A. Kaplan
Director: Ted Wass
There's no denying that babies change lives, but what doesn't change is the parents' love for their pre-baby lives. Is it possible for urban professionals to transition from friends, to friends with kids, while still having fun?
These three couples met in baby class three years ago and they've bonded over one underlying fear… that their kids will rule their lives. Confident professionals at work, they're unsure how to balance their new tots with their old drives and desires. Especially since these friends still crave sports, parties, free time and, oh yeah, sex.
Their close-knit relationship allows them to ask questions and favors of each other without too much ridicule. Of course the help and advice they get is not always what they need. Fortunately, these days there's always the internet as a last resource.
Two writers from Spin City and George Lopez tell tales from the parent hood. Who says the party has to end just because the group got bigger?
My picks on which will be added to the fall line-up:
"Bobby Cannon" -- Probably will air on TGIF, after Hope & Faith.
"Freddie Prinze Jr. Project" -- Would work well with Stamos, if it returns.
"Crumbs" -- ABC should start a Thursday block of sitcoms, now that NBC is faltering there.
"Chris Kattan Project" -- Thursdays as well, so Stamos, Prinze, Crumbs and Kattan. Yes 3 of 4 are new, but what else can ABC air on Thursdays? Tuesday comedies will be sliced to one hour I think with just Jim and George. Fridays will have My Wife & Kids, 8 Simple Rules, Hope & Faith and Bobby Cannon. So, I'm going with 10 comedies actually, but it could be 8 if they only decide to pick up 2 new comedies.
I think about three will make it, but I added a fourth just in case. Others that sound good: Emily Reasons Why Not and Joel Stein's Joint Custody.
DISCLAIMER:
Please remember most of these pilots will not make it, so it will be kind of cool having a photo of a cast of a show that does not make it. So out of these fifteen sitcoms, probably about 2-4 will make it on the air actually this fall. The rest will go in what is called pilot hell, where tons of pilots each year go.
Please post your thoughts on which you think will make it.