or


[10/29/10 - 08:34 AM]
Spike TV Presents New Slate of Scripted Original Pilots
The crop includes six comedies, "many of which revolve around the crazy antics of dysfunctional co-workers and families" and a one-hour drama focusing on domestic terrorism.

[via press release from Spike TV]

SPIKE TV PRESENTS NEW SLATE OF SCRIPTED ORIGINAL PILOTS

New Projects Aimed At Expanding The Network's Audience To Reach Older Guys

New York, NY, October 29, 2010 - Spike TV presents a new slate of scripted original pilots aimed at expanding and broadening the network's male audience. The crop of new shows includes six comedies, many of which revolve around the crazy antics of dysfunctional co-workers and families and a one-hour drama focusing on domestic terrorism.

The projects announced today by Spike are from some of the most creative minds in Hollywood including Beth McCarthy Miller, Thom Beers, and Walt Becker.

Already reaching Men 18-34 with such original shows as "Deadliest Warrior," "Blue Mountain State," "The Ultimate Fighter" and "1000 Ways To Die," the network views these shows as a way to reach older guys with themes relevant to their lives.

"We have spent the last few years successfully bringing in Men 18-34 with a mix of action, outrageous comedy and fun infotainment." said Kevin Kay, president, Spike TV. "Now we're focused on bringing 25-49 year-olds with scripted fare that they can relate to - especially workplace and family humor."

Spike's new slate of scripted pilots includes: (please note all are working titles):

THUNDERBALLS

This half-hour comedic series follows three life-long friends who comprise a beer league bowling team called the "Thunderballs." The show chronicles their efforts to balance their battle for supremacy at the lanes with their crazy personal and family lives. The project is written by Jim and Steve Armogida ("Grounded for Life," "The Return of Jezebel James") and executive produced by Walt Becker ("Wild Hogs," "Van Wilder").

UNTITLED AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS COMEDY

The producers of "Deadliest Catch" and "Ice Road Truckers" introduce a high-stakes workplace comedy focusing on the fun-loving yet dysfunctional men and women air traffic controllers at a major international airport. The project is being penned by Andrew Waller and Mike Gagerman ("Road to Nardo"). Thom Beers and Philip D. Segal will executive produce for Original Productions.

UNTITLED BETH McCARTHY MILLER PROJECT

From acclaimed "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live" director, Beth McCarthy Miller, comes a ripped-from-the-headlines comedy about a veteran sports writer and the crazy world of modern-day athletes he reports on. The project will be executive produced by Miller and Steven Brill ("Mr. Deeds," "Little Nicky," "The Mighty Ducks.")

POWERBALL

When a 30-something loser who still lives with his parents wins the multi-million dollar Powerball lottery, he decides to use his newfound wealth to buy the love and respect of his family and community. The half-hour single camera comedy comes from Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen and Steven Cragg (Mad TV) and will be produced by Principato-Young Entertainment with Peter Principato, Paul Young and Joel Zadak serving as executive producers.

AT EASE

Two misfit U.S. Army drill sergeants utilize unorthodox methods to turn an endless stream of recruits into the greatest fighting force on earth while staying one step ahead of an uptight new captain with a grudge. The show is written by Gabe Snyder and Mike Alber ("Jailbait," MTV's "Death Valley").

UNTITLED FAMILY BARBECUE COMEDY

Tired of the corporate rat race, a "Clark Griswold"-type cashes in his 401k and drags his family kicking and screaming to pursue his dream of competing on the professional barbecue circuit. The show is written by veteran scribe Russell Marcus ("Married with Children").

F.T.W.

A gritty one-hour drama focusing on an Atlanta police officer who is recruited by the Department of Homeland Security to return to his hometown and infiltrate a militia organization linked to domestic terrorism with which he has familial ties. The project is written by Craig Gore and Tim Walsh.

Spike TV's first scripted comedy, "Blue Mountain State," returned for a second season last week to stellar ratings. The premiere drew a 1.34 rating in Men 18-34, up 34% compared to the first season average and was ranked #2 in its timeslot.

"Blue Mountain State" is produced by Varsity Pictures' Brian Robbins ("Varsity Blues," "Smallville," "One Tree Hill") and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett and Lionsgate. Romanski, who also stars as Sammy, and Eric Falconer ("The Sarah Silverman Program," "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia") also serve as executive producers and writers.

Overseeing the scripted projects are Laurence Sullivan director, original programming, Spike TV and Dustin Davis, manager, original programming, Spike TV.

Spike TV is available in 98.6 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.





  [october 2010]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· 1000 WAYS TO DIE (SPIKE TV)
· 30 ROCK (NBC)
· AT EASE (SPIKE TV)
· BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE (SPIKE TV)
· DEADLIEST CATCH (DISCOVERY)
· DEADLIEST WARRIOR (SPIKE TV)
· DEATH VALLEY (MTV)
· FTW (SPIKE TV)
· GROUNDED FOR LIFE (WB)
· ICE ROAD TRUCKERS (HISTORY)
· IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA (FXX)
· ONE TREE HILL (CW)
· POWERBALL (SPIKE TV)
· RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES, THE (FOX)
· SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM, THE (COMEDY CENTRAL)
· SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC)
· SMALLVILLE (CW)
· THUNDERBALLS (SPIKE TV)
· ULTIMATE FIGHTER, THE (FS1)
· UNTITLED AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS COMEDY (SPIKE TV)
· UNTITLED BETH MCCARTHY MILLER PROJECT (SPIKE TV)
· UNTITLED FAMILY BARBECUE COMEDY (SPIKE TV)





[05/19/13 - 12:48 PM]
Saturday's Broadcast Ratings: "Cops" Marathon Tops Demos for FOX
Meanwhile, CBS is the most-watched network overall but fourth in adults 18-49.

[05/19/13 - 09:16 AM]
"Saturday Night Live" Earns Its Highest Rating in Metered-Market Households Since April 6
NBC spins the numbers for Saturday, May 18.

[05/18/13 - 09:03 AM]
Friday's Broadcast Ratings: ABC Tops Viewers, Demos with "Shark Tank"
The show's two-hour season finale powers the Alphabet to victory.

[05/18/13 - 08:59 AM]
"Rock Center with Brian Williams" Scores Its Second-Highest Adult 18-49 and Total-Viewer Results in Three Months
NBC spins the numbers for Friday, May 17.

[05/18/13 - 08:51 AM]
ABC Wins Friday as "Shark Tank" Closes Out with its Best-Ever Finale and Strongest Season Ever
ABC spins the numbers for Friday, May 17.

[05/17/13 - 03:51 PM]
Thursday's Cable Ratings: TNT, ESPN Top Charts with NBA Playoffs
Plus: numbers for AMC's "Small Town Security," MTV's "Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous" and FX's "Anger Management."

[05/17/13 - 01:47 PM]
Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton Set to Return to "The Voice" in Fall
Plus: Shakira and Usher will pair with Levine and Shelton for the sixth cycle in midseason.

[05/17/13 - 12:16 PM]
Video: Showtime(R) Releases Official Trailer for Eighth and Final Season of "Dexter(R)"
The show's swan song begins Sunday, June 30 at 9:00/8:00c on the pay channel.

[05/17/13 - 09:48 AM]
ABC, ESPN Combine to Exclusively Televise 2013 NBA Western Conference Finals
The San Antonio Spurs/Memphis Grizzlies series opens this Sunday, May 19 on ABC.

[05/17/13 - 09:01 AM]
Unaired Episodes of "Don't Trust the B---- In Apartment 23" Now Online and Select Mobile Devices
The eight episodes will be live through June 2.

[05/17/13 - 09:00 AM]
"Phineas and Ferb's" Breakout Internet Star Dr. Doofenshmirtz Is Back for a Special "Shark Tank" Installment of "Doof's Daily Dirt"
Plus: DisneyChannel.com extends "Doof's Daily Dirt" web series for another 26 episodes beginning this summer.

[05/17/13 - 08:46 AM]
"The Office" Finale Out-Rates Every Telecast of the Show for the Past 16 Months
NBC spins the numbers for Thursday, May 16.

[05/17/13 - 08:33 AM]
ABC's "Scandal" Marks Most-Watched Telecast Ever and Spikes Over Last Season's Finale
ABC spins the numbers for Thursday, May 16.

[05/17/13 - 08:23 AM]
Thursday's Broadcast Ratings: FOX, "American Idol" Top Night of Finales
Plus: NBC remains stuck in fourth place despite its swan song for "The Office."

[05/17/13 - 07:27 AM]
Syfy Announces Fifth and Final Season of Original Series "Warehouse 13"
Said Mark Stern: "'Warehouse 13' has been an incredible signature series for us."