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 (PARAMOUNT PLUS)
· UNTITLED AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS COMEDY (SPIKE TV)
· UNTITLED BETH MCCARTHY MILLER PROJECT (SPIKE TV)
· UNTITLED FAMILY BARBECUE COMEDY (SPIKE TV)





[05/29/26 - 03:02 PM]
"20/20" Is Friday's No. 1 Newsmagazine, Leading "Dateline" in Total Viewers for the 5th Consecutive Broadcast Season
"20/20" improved on the previous season in Total Viewers (+5%/+170,000 - 3.672 million vs. 3.502 million).

[05/29/26 - 03:01 PM]
ABC News Is #1 in Total Viewers Sunday Morning and in Late-Night
"Nightline" posted double-digit gains week to week in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49.

[05/29/26 - 01:01 PM]
Video: Peacock Releases Summer Sizzle for "Days of Our Lives"
Audiences can access the past season and new episodes every weekday.

[05/29/26 - 10:38 AM]
Video: We TV and All Reality Unveil Sneak Peek of All New Original Unscripted Series "Age Inappropriate"
The eight episode series is set to premiere this August, exclusively on We TV and All Reality.

[05/29/26 - 10:01 AM]
Hallmark Channel's Annual "Christmas in July" Programming Event Returns June 26 with Four Original Movie Premieres
Plus: Hallmark+ subscribers will be treated to a second season of sailing the high seas with their favorite Hallmark stars in "Christmas at Sea," available to stream on Wednesday, July 1.

[05/29/26 - 08:01 AM]
Paramount+ Sets U.S. and International Premiere for "Wild Cherry"
The acclaimed six-part BBC thriller from the U.K., will stream exclusively on Paramount+ on June 24 in the U.S., Canada, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and Latin America.

[05/29/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "A Different World" - Official Teaser - Netflix
The new class just enrolled. "A Different World" premieres on Netflix September 24.

[05/29/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: HBO Releases Official Trailer for Season Three of Original Drama Series "House of the Dragon"
Based on George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood," the series, set 200 years before the events of "Game of Thrones," tells the story of House Targaryen.

[05/29/26 - 06:06 AM]
Tubi's New Exclusive Series "Deestroying the Pitch" Premieres on June 4th
The series follows YouTube star Deestroying (Donald De La Haye) as he hits the streets of Los Angeles, Miami and Toronto to uncover the soul of soccer through a 1v1 competition as the World Cup lands in North America.

[05/29/26 - 06:00 AM]
Disney+ Greenlights New Docuseries from Maximum Effort Following SailGP's BONDS Flying Roos Australian Team and Co-Owners Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds
Blending humor, pressure and behind-the-scenes access, the series captures life inside one of the world's most demanding sports leagues as the team operates as a tight-knit family built on trust and camaraderie.

[05/29/26 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "Physical 100: Italy" - Official Trailer - Netflix
One hundred Italian athletes face brutal physical challenges, each battling to outlast the rest and claim the glory of becoming the one true champion.

[05/28/26 - 11:31 PM]
Video: "The Pyramid Scheme" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
The series follows the story of Goldy, an ambitious but impatient young man, whose quest to get rich through a pyramid marketing business spirals into a rollercoaster of chaos - risking not just his future, but also the love and trust of his close-knit joint family.

[05/28/26 - 05:01 PM]
Gripping Suspense Drama Series "Notes from the Last Row" Premieres June 26
A failed writer-turned-professor finds rare talent in a student's writing - and grows obsessed with his draft as their private lessons go off course.

[05/28/26 - 03:32 PM]
Acorn TV Renews Breakout Murder Mystery Series "You're Killing Me," Starring and Executive Produced by Brooke Shields
Season two, which will again be set in the quaint Maine town of Founder's Cove, will also consist of six, hour-long episodes and go into production later this year.

[05/28/26 - 03:23 PM]
2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Presented by Dunkin' Finishes Strong with Average Audience of 7.4 Million Viewers Across ESPN and ABC
Additionally, Game 4 on ESPN averaged 7.2 million viewers, marking the most-viewed Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 across any network since 2018.