or


[06/05/03 - 12:00 AM]
Showtime Slates 'Free for All'
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- Showtime has given a start date for its new animated series "Free for All." The comedy, based on Brett Merhar's cult comic strip of the same name, will bow Friday, July 11 at 11:00/10:00c. The pay channel has committed to seven episodes of the project which comes from Film Roman ("The Simpsons") and executive producer Merriwether Williams ("SpongeBob Squarepants").

Here's how Showtime describes the series (via press release):

Showtime Networks, in association with Emmy(R)-winning animation studio Film Roman, brings to life the characters of a subversive cult comic strip in the new, late night, animated, comedy series FREE FOR ALL premiering July 11th at 11 PM (ET/PT). The series, written and executive produced by Merriwether Williams ("SpongeBob Squarepants") and based on Brett Merhar's cult comic strip of the same name, follows multimillionaire and wheeler-dealer Clay Zeeman and his best friend, community college student Johnny G. Jenkins. Johnny and Clay are cynical, Gen-Y, dysfunctional best friends, who struggle with out-of-the-ordinary daily woes. The duo's unique adventures are even further complicated by the antics of Clay's pet ferret, Angus -- a research laboratory animal with a drug addiction problem. The network has ordered 6 additional episodes, which will continue to air on Fridays at 11PM (ET/PT).

Celebrity voices for the show include Jonathan Silverman (SHOWTIME'S DEACONS FOR DEFENSE, "The Single Guy") as Johnny; Brett Merhar as Clay; Oscar(R) nominated Juliette Lewis ("Cape Fear," SHOWTIME's MY LOUISIANA SKY and "Natural Born Killers") as Johnny's love interest Paula; Mitzi McCall ("Ice Age," "The Flintstones Comedy Hour") as grandma; and Sam McMurray ("Raising Arizona," "Sunshine State," SHOWTIME's upcoming STEALING SINATRA) as Dad.

As the series begins, Clay is living a life of luxury, having won a multi-million dollar lawsuit after slipping and falling on a sandwich in a restaurant. Johnny, on the other hand, is still living with his parents as he pines away for the beautiful and seemingly innocent girl-next-door.

In his free time, Johnny dodges his grandmother's attempts to get him killed so she can move out of the basement and into his bedroom. FREE FOR ALL, Showtime's new animated Original Series, promises to be shocking and absurd but always hilarious.

FREE FOR ALL is co-written and executive produced by Merriwether Williams, who served as head writer for over three years on Nickelodeon's smash hit "Spongebob SquarePants." Brett Merhar, creator of the comic strip, which has been syndicated in over 75 newspapers nationwide since its launch in April 1998, co-wrote the pilot and will serve as co-writer and executive producer. John Hyde, president and CEO of Film Roman, and Richard Hull ("She's All That," "Get Over It," "On The Line") serve as executive producer and co-executive producer respectively.





  [june 2003]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· DEACONS FOR DEFENSE (SHOWTIME)
· FREE FOR ALL (SHOWTIME)
· MY LOUISIANA SKY (SHOWTIME)
· SIMPSONS, THE (FOX)
· STEALING SINATRA (SHOWTIME)





[10/24/25 - 02:30 PM]
Video: First Look at Upcoming New Drama "Memory of a Killer" Starring Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli - Premiering This January on FOX
Dempsey stars as a hitman, Angelo Doyle, leading a dangerous double life while hiding an even deadlier personal secret - he has developed early onset Alzheimer's.

[10/24/25 - 02:02 PM]
"20/20" Is Friday's Most-Watched Newsmagazine Across the Board
In addition, "20/20" posted its best Adults 25-54 in more than four months.

[10/24/25 - 02:01 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 Across the Board, Leading NBC in All Key Demos for the 4th Straight Week
"Nightline" grew year to year across the board: Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49.

[10/24/25 - 01:05 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Makes Television History - Rising for Fifth Straight Week
The October 21 episode scored 6.63 million Total Viewers and a 1.38 rating among Adults 18-49, hitting new season highs in both demographics.

[10/24/25 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix Announces "Hollywood Arts," A Brand-New Spinoff of Hit Live-Action, "Victorious," with Daniella Monet Returning as Star and Executive Producer
The series is set to debut on Netflix in 2026, followed by releases on Nickelodeon and Paramount+.

[10/24/25 - 07:14 AM]
FOX Sports Readies for Major League Baseball's 121st World Series Presented by Capital One
Action leads off Friday, October 24, between the National League and current reigning World champion Los Angeles Dodgers and American League champion Toronto Blue Jays from Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind" Season 9: The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix
Denver singles shake up their search for "the one" and step into the pods, braving twists, turns and love triangles to find their soulmate sight unseen.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Experience the Family, the Fun, and the Fantastic! Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" Lands Exclusively on Disney+ November 5
Continuing the celebration of Marvel's First Family, the announcement was made live from SpaceCon 2025 in San Antonio, where The Fantastic Four: First Steps Immersive Pop-Up Experience invites attendees to step inside the iconic Baxter Building.

[10/24/25 - 06:00 AM]
The CW Network and Xfinity Celebrate 11 Years of the NASCAR Xfinity Series by Presenting the Third Stage of the Championship Race Commercial-Free
Taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, November 1, the commercial-free stage presented by Xfinity was created to thank the loyal race fans who have supported the NASCAR Xfinity Series for more than a decade - helping the series grow through their unwavering enthusiasm, increased viewership, and continued trackside attendance.

[10/23/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "As You Stood By" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When two women plot to end an abusive marriage through murder, an unexpected visitor arrives - threatening to shatter everything they've carefully planned.

[10/23/25 - 02:33 PM]
Largest Audience for "NBA Tip-Off" Doubleheader Since 2010 as NBA Returned to NBC and Debuted on Peacock
Tuesday night's audience across NBC and Peacock peaked at 7.1 million viewers from 10:45-11 p.m. ET as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to a one-point win over the Houston Rockets in double overtime.

[10/23/25 - 02:28 PM]
The 305 Just Got Hotter: "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" Moves to BET Season 7 Premieres Tuesday, November 4 at 8 PM ET/PT
The upcoming seventh season dives deeper than ever into Miami's thriving entertainment scene, following a cast of stars who are rebuilding, rebranding, and redefining success in real time.

[10/23/25 - 01:30 PM]
Critically Acclaimed Noir Thriller, "Dark Winds," to Return to AMC and AMC+ Sunday, February 15
The series' gripping fourth season focuses on the search for a missing Navajo girl, which takes Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito from the safety of Navajo Nation to the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock to save her from an obsessive killer with ties to organized crime.

[10/23/25 - 12:01 PM]
Video: BET+ Releases Trailer for Horror Film "A Demon's Revenge"
In the film, following the bloodshed in Belize, Peaches, played by Jhoné Lucas, delves deeper into Caribbean folklore and the terrifying truth that lurks beneath.

[10/23/25 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Entertainment Acquires Equity Stake in Chain, Forging Strategic Partnership with Experiential Food Phenomenon Co-Founded by B.J. Novak
Included in the investment is a first look development deal through Chain Media.