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pilot season

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The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 252: Pilot Season & Growing an Improv Show Out of the Writers’ Strike
April 2, 2025
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
improv, pilot season, ucb, writer's strike

At a time where AI is threatening writing jobs and Trump is mercilessly dismantling all the DEI initiatives that he can, a hybrid improv/writers show, Pilot Season, rises, phoenix-like, from the rubble of the WGA Strike. Hosts/creators Chris De La Cruz and Saleh Karaman lead a packed improv show that creates a freshly baked before the audience eyes and ears where some of the most accomplished TV writers around collaborate with UCB’s best and brightest. Also, very often, as it would happen, the panel of writers and cast of improvisers are from almost every background imaginable. This week’s TCB Field Report talks to De La Cruz and Karaman in how they built this juggernaut of a show and exceeded any expectation they had.

Follow Pilot Season @pilot_szn on IG and get tix for 4/6 show UCB LA here. Follow Chris @chris_dlc_ and Saleh @cirquedusalad.

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and Jake Kroeger

Taran Killam Starring In and Craig Johnson Directing/EP’ing Showtime Comedy Pilot “Mating”
August 23, 2016
Uncategorized
comedy pilot, craig johnson, mating, pilot season, showtime, skeleton twins, taran killam

Taran Killam Starring In and Craig Johnson Directing/EP’ing Showtime Comedy Pilot “Mating”

The vague, well-trodden premise a man re-entering the world of modern dating might just get enough intrigue from the guiding hand of the director and co-writer of The Skeleton Twins and Taran Killam getting top billing. 

Also, this will be an anthology series that might end up going head-to-head with HBO’s anthology comedy series from The Duplass Brothers.

Jermaine Fowler Gets Another Pilot Order for His “Superior Donuts” from CBS
May 26, 2016
Uncategorized
cbs, jermaine fowler, multi cam, pilot season, superior donuts

(via Deadline)

Sounds a lot like what happened with Jerrod Carmichael with eventually getting The Carmichael Show on the air.

Well before Jerrod got his 3rd season renewal earlier this month, he went through several rounds of pilots and pilot presentations of his show over a few years before NBC brass decided to give The Carmichael Show a green light. 

In a similar way, the only potentially new diverse multi-cam sitcom at CBS, Superior Donuts, is getting reworked as CBS execs really dig Jermaine Fowler. 

Based off the initial heat they’ve been taking from their very white, very anti-millennial, new fall comedy line-up of Kevin Can Wait, The Great Indoors, and Man With a Plan, CBS probably shouldn’t wait around in going forward with Fowler and Superior Donuts.

Patton Oswalt to Star in Comedy Pilot from Laura Steinel Opposite Judy Greer
March 12, 2016
Uncategorized
fox, judy greer, laura steinel, patton oswalt, pilot season

(via Deadline)

This is dream casting as far as we’re concerned.

In this comedy pilot from Laura Steinel, Judy Greer will play the head of HR at a New Jersey based plastics molding plant (presumably something along the lines of what you might have seen in the movie Joy, but more above board) and have to deal with an idealistic new company head in Patton Oswalt.

This may sound a bit like The Office or Parks and Recreation, but set in a plastics. We’re totally fine with that, especially because Oswalt and Greer are starring.

TruTV Orders Pilots from Tom Segura and Melissa Hunter
December 2, 2015
Uncategorized
development, melissa hunter, pilot season, tom segura, trutv

(via Deadline)

TruTV, keep doing what you’re doing.

In addition to the early renewal of Those Who Can’t yesterday, TruTV is continuing to bulk up their brand with the additions of a pilot deal and script from Tom Segura and Melissa Hunter, respectively. Segura is a great stand-up and you probably know Hunter better as Adult Wednesday Addams.

TruTV has Tom developing a medical comedy and Melissa working on a project centered on a “amateur vigilante squad”. There aren’t details beyond that, but we’ll be watching these and the rest of what TruTV has cooking because, from where we’re standing, it smells pretty good so far.

ABC Developing a Single Camera Comedy Pilot Written Jen Kirkman and Dan Bucatinsky
November 5, 2015
Uncategorized
abc, dan bucatinsky, jen kirkman, pilot season, single camera

(via Deadline)

Jen Kirkman co-writing an “…untitled comedy revolves around four women friends rattled by a fortysomething feeling of irrelevance who embark on a mission to turn their invisibility into invincibility.” is all good by us.

ABC’s comedy development slate for this pilot season just got a whole lot more interesting with the addition of this project following women like Kirkman making their way through the world on their terms despite all the societal forces working against them. Familiarize yourself with Jen’s stand-up, books, and podcast  if you’re not already familiar.

Jen is writing it with Dan Bucatinsky who you’ve probably seen work on- and behind-the-scenes of the comeback of The Comeback.

It has a put pilot commitment, so let’s cross our fingers even more that it tips the scales of being picked up to series.

NBC Orders Pilot of a DC Comics Universe Workplace Comedy “Powerless”
August 15, 2015
Uncategorized
comedy pilot, dc comics, nbc, pilot season, powerless, the office

(via Deadline)

NBC isn’t kidding around with comedy this pilot season.

Powerless is the latest comedy pilot ordered by NBC from Ben Queen that will follow the lives of the insurance company employees set in the DC Comics universe. Undoubtedly, an insurance company would fittingly have an ungodly workload in a world full of superheroes and supervillains.

Being referenced as The Office with a DC Comics backdrop, would their be an actually sinister Dwight? 

Looks Like Jenny Slate Might Be Starring in Her Own Comedy Pilot at FX
March 6, 2015
Uncategorized
elisabeth holm, fx, gillian robespierre, jenny slate, pilot season

(via Deadline)

It seems to be the word on the pilot season street is that Jenny Slate will be scaling back her role on FX’s Married for a FX comedy pilot starring her and being written by Gillian Robespierre and Elisabeth Holm. All three last worked together on the indie romantic comedy hit Obvious Child.

As TBS and TruTV have stepped up their game in their recent development slates, respectively, with Samantha Bee’s satirical news show and Those Who Can’t, we certainly hope that this pilot becomes official soon.

Danny Pudi to Star in “Strange Calls” Pilot on NBC
February 27, 2015
Uncategorized
danny pudi, nbc, pilot season, strange calls

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

While Parks and Recreation and The Office are over, Community and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt finding their way online, and Must See TV dropped, NBC is at a big crossroads as to where there comedy will be headed. 

More and more this pilot season, NBC seems like they would like to keep some of their stars around from their last era of sitcoms. Community’s Danny Pudi has now been set to star in the pilot for Strange Calls, adapted from a high concept Australian horror sitcom, as the lead. He’d play a well-meaning police officer that has to deal with secretly supernatural town in the sticks. So, we guess it’d be like Eureka, but more supernatural and with Pudi.

Already, NBC has Adam Scott who just finished up with Parks and Recreation developing a dispensary comedy with Joe Mande, leaving us to wonder what’s to come for comedy series at the peacock.

truTV Orders Pilot of Adam Conover’s Web Series “Adam Ruins Everything”
February 20, 2015
Uncategorized
adam conover, adam ruins everything, college humor, pilot season, trutv

truTV just keeps their comedy programming rolling in. With the addition of Billy on The Street and a pilot order of Those Who Can’t, they seem to be headed in a good direction.

Their latest addition to their development slate is a pilot order of the very funny Adam Conover sharp web series Adam Ruins Everything over at College Humor. Following things like circumcision, we can only imagine what Adam will “ruin” with a full TV slot and budget. 

ABC Orders Pilot of “Dr. Ken” From Ken Jeong, Mike O’Connell, and Jared Stern
February 13, 2015
Uncategorized
abc, dr. ken, ken jeong, mike o'connell, pilot season

(via Deadline)

As far as the multi-cam sitcom pilots that have been ordered this pilot season, Dr. Ken ordered by ABC might be one of the most intriguing ones. 

While the premise of a doctor trying to balance work and family seems like pretty safe territory for a sitcom, the team of Ken Jeong, Mike O’Connell, Jared Stern, and Mike Sikowitz might be cooking up something that’s more high concept and out there than you might initially think.

Jeong was a practicing doctor before he got into stand-up and went by a moniker that serves the title of this show, Dr. Ken. Together O’Connell and Jeong made this music video for What’s It Gonna Be before Ken made a name for himself in The Hangover franchise and Community. Also, O’Connell is one hell of a comedian himself as you can see in him performing his song “Little Asian Babies” on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Of course, we don’t know what exactly is being written and shot behind close stage doors here, but we suspect that it won’t be your typical multi-cam.

Veronica Osorio Signs Talent Deal with Fox
December 20, 2014
Uncategorized
fox, pilot season, talent deal, veronica osorio

(via Deadline)

Fox has nabbed up a great talent in Veronica Osorio for this upcoming pilot season. She is the Kate from the great quasi-DIY craft web series Kate’s Craft Corner and will now be in an upcoming Fox comedy pilot. 

So, keep an eye out, just like we will be doing, for what show or shows Osorio will be cast in. 

Jerrod Carmichael Gets 3rd Pilot Order at NBC with Nick Stoller Co-Writing
November 4, 2014
Uncategorized
jerrod carmichael, nbc, neighbors, nick stoller, pilot season

(via Deadline)

NBC has ordered two pilot presentations from Jerrod Carmichael over the last calendar year. Neither one of them went to series, but NBC has come close and is obvious still jazzed about Carmichael since they have just put in an order for a 3rd pilot from him.

This time around, Neighbors director Nick Stoller will team up with Jerrod again and they’ll write the pilot together.

Hopefully, third time is the charm, comedy comes 3, or whatever other triplet-based-affirmation you know will come into play here.

Jason Jones and Samantha Bee’s “Vacation Time” Gets Pilot Order From TBS
October 28, 2014
Uncategorized
daily show, jason jones, pilot season, samantha bee, tbs, vacation time

(via Deadline)

The Daily Show continues to be a great tree that TV, film, etc. can pick from. John Oliver is killing it at on his own program, Last Week Tonight, Jon Stewart’s directorial debut Rosewater is on the horizon as is Aasif Mandvi’s book No Land’s Man.

Now, added to that mix, are current Daily Show correspondents Jason Jones and Samantha Bee and their family vacation comedy “Vacation Time” that just got a pilot order from TBS. 

Jones is set to star and we’re completely on board for a National Lampoon’s Vacation-esque series from Jones and Bee.

Neil Patrick Harris to Host NBC Variety Show
October 28, 2014
Uncategorized
nbc, neil patrick harris, pilot season, variety show

(via Deadline)

NBC might be just getting a shot in the arm in the department of live variety shows as they have just ordered 10 episodes of a Neil Patrick Harris hosted variety show.

The show stopper of a host can really do it all, sing, dance, act, do comedy, which will all be on display when he hosts The Oscars next year.

We’ll be curious to what time slot it gets, specifically in relation to that other live variety show on NBC, Saturday Night Live.

High Concept Comedies Are in Style Ahead of This Pilot Season
October 27, 2014
Uncategorized
abc, development, directv, downton abbey, elizabeth banks, lost, nbc, parody, peter serafinowicz, pilot season, rainn wilson, tbs, vine

There are indeed plenty of semi-autobiographical comedies in development, especially with the success of freshman series Cristela at ABC.

However, at the other end of the TV comedy development spectrum, at this time, is a bunch of high concept comedies that steer clear of the fish-out-of-water in a small (or big pond) dynamic. Conspiracy theories, witches, and, highest concept of all, Vine stars, and more are all subjects for comedy projects that are being worked for TV across several networks.

Specifically, TBS has ordered a sort of Lost parody from Justin and Jordan Shipley, DirecTV has ordered a parody reminiscent of Downton Abbey that will star Peter Serafinowicz and Will Sasso from College Humor’s Big Breakfast, Elizabeth Banks is set to produce and direct a workplace conspiracy theory comedy from Caroline Williams at ABC, 30 Rock’s Josh Siegal and Dylan Morgan are writing a witch comedy at NBC, Nick Frost is set to star in a comedy as an ex-jewel thief that’s having trouble getting out of the jewel thief business also at ABC, and Rainn Wilson is developing a series following stars (minus Curtis Lepore due to Internet outrage at his rape charge that he plead down to an assault charge) on the six second movie platform Vine trying to make it in the traditional half hour format. 

There’s no telling where these will end up, if anywhere at all, but it’s a good sign to see more comedy series in the works that aren’t how two people met and fell in love or how an abnormally configured family figures out how to be a family.

ABC Makes Script Commitment for Fortune Feimster Comedy From Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, and Matt Hubbard
October 23, 2014
Uncategorized
abc, fortune feimster, matt hubbard, pilot season, robert carlock, tina fey

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

Fortune Feimster is not only getting to develop a series based on her life, but she is getting to do so with the likes of of Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, and Matt Hubbard.

ABC has made a script commitment to the project, which is currently untitled, and has added one of the more intriguing comedies to their development slate ahead of this upcoming pilot season in addition to their other semi-autobiographical comedian series with Jermaine Fowler.

Amy Poehler Producing Another Comedy Project at NBC and Joins Legendary’s Digital Division with “Smart Girls At The Party”
October 18, 2014
Uncategorized
aisha muharrar, amy poehler, nbc, pilot season, smart girls at the party

For quite some time, Amy Poehler has been doing quite well for herself or, as some might say, killing it.

This week has been a particularly good display of that as Legendary Entertainment acquired Poehler’s Smart Girls At The Party and she is set to produce another comedy at NBC along with Aisha Muharrar.

So, there will be even more Smart Girls At The Party content to be made and a comedy project following an agnostic woman who has to deal with the inheritance of a church. 

These two announcements come on top of the release of Poehler’s book Yes Please, executive producing the second season of Broad City, and probably a million other amazing things that she has wonderfully hidden up her sleeve.

FX Buys Tone Bell and Mark Agee Comedy Project
October 15, 2014
Uncategorized
fx, mark agee, pilot season, tone bell

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

FX’s latest addition to their development slate, they’ve picked up a script from comedians Tone Bell and Mark Agee for a sitcom following four guys from different backgrounds trying to live in peace.

There isn’t any word whether this would head towards FX or FXx or whether it’ll be single camera or multi-cam (with this premise, either could work), but we’re glad to hear that Bell and Agee have their own project possibly coming up for pilot season.

 

Will Arnett’s Electric Ave. Sells First Project, An Adaptation of “How Not To Calm a Child on a Plane” to CBS
October 7, 2014
Uncategorized
cbs, electric ave., how not to calm a child on a plane, pilot season, will arnett

(via Deadline)

The first look deal that Will Arnett’s production company Electric Ave. has at CBS has just paid its first dividends. CBS has bought their project that would adapt Johanna Stein’s How Not To Calm a Child on a Plane into a comedy series.

No talent is attached as of yet and the format (single camera or multi-cam) is still up for discussion, but perhaps this and Tommy Johnagin’s sitcom is the start of a new vein in comedy in development at CBS.

NBC Having Eddie Izzard Adapt ‘Junior Bender’ Novels
October 6, 2014
Uncategorized
eddie izzard, junior bender, nbc, pilot season, timothy hallinan

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

Timothy Hallinan’s novel series that follow private eye Junior Bender are not only getting adapting for TV, but are being done so by the amazing Eddie Izzard.

NBC has made a script commitment to the project thus far and we’d be curious to see it goes further as Junior Bender juggles being both a high class thief and a detective. If this ends up going to series, it might be act as a nice companion/foil to The Mysteries of Laura. 

Interestingly enough, Izzard is not attached to star though the role seems pretty perfect for him.

Amazon Orders ‘Red Oaks’ to Series, More Scripts for ‘The Cosmopolitans’
October 4, 2014
Uncategorized
amazon, david gordon green, pilot season, red oaks, steven soderbergh, the cosmopolitans, whit stillman

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

After their latest user rated pilot season, Amazon has opted to take the Steven Soderbergh/David Gordon Green comedy pilot Red Oaks to series. This marks a streak for Soderbergh who has been gaining critical momentum for the Cinemax series he directs, The Knick.

Also, Whit Stillman’s The Cosmopolitans has received an order for an additional scripts, but whether they will go to series too has yet to be determined.

It’s clear that Amazon has built up plenty of its own momentum with Jill Soloway‘s Transparent and we’ll see if they can keep that going when Red Oaks and possibly The Cosmopolitans release their first season some time next year.

Kurt Braunohler’s Comedy Central Talk Show Pilot “Gettin’ Some Strange” Tapes Next Week
October 3, 2014
Uncategorized
comedy central, gettin some strange, kurt braunohler, pilot season, talk show, taping

           

image

A month ago, Comedy Central announced that it had ordered a talk show pilot from the amazing Kurt Braunohler entitled “Gettin’ Some Strange”. While details were scarce for the pilot, a description for the taping reads:

Gettin’ Some Strange with Kurt Braunohler, is a late-night talk show, in which comedian Braunohler (featured regular on Comedy Central’s @midnight) covers the strangest stories of the day, revealing just how beautifully insane our world actually is.

So, basically, we’re saying, go to the taping on Sun. Oct. 12th at Occidental Studios here in LA. 

IFC Developing Hockey Comedy ‘Uncle Chubby’ with Denis Leary’s Apostle
October 2, 2014
Uncategorized
apostle, denis leary, hockey, ifc, intramural, pilot season, uncle chubby

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

We’d say that, by now, comedy has worked out for IFC. So, they’re now beefing up their development slate for this upcoming pilot season with a new scripted project from Denis Leary’s company Apostle.

Following with Apostle’s success with Maron at the network, the project, Uncle Chubby, follows the path of an intramural hockey team in an attempt to win a league title.

No talent is currently attached, but hopefully Liev Schrieber’s character from Goon can make a cameo.

CBS Gives Tommy Johnagin Comedy a Pilot Production Commitment
September 25, 2014
Uncategorized
bill lawrence, cbs, justin halpern, patrick schumacker, pilot season, tommy johnagin

(via Deadline)

The very funny Tommy Johnagin has been developing a multi cam sitcom based on his life that he will star in at various networks for awhile.

We’re glad to hear that CBS is going to give Johnagin along with writers Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker and executive producer/sitcom maven Bill Lawrence a pilot commitment. Now, let’s all hope that it gets picked up to series so we’ll all actually get to enjoy a Tommy Johnagin TV show.

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