truTV Greenlights New Scripted Series
Bobcat Goldthwait’s Messed Up Stories (working title)
Network Also Builds on Comedic Slate,
Orders More Comedy Knockout, Fameless and Greatest Ever
Ahead of its Television Critics Association presentation this afternoon, Turner’s truTV announced today a first-season greenlight of the genre-hopping, scripted anthology comedy series, Bobcat Goldthwait’s Messed Up Stories (working title). The series includes eight episodes that will premiere on truTV in 2017 and mark the network’s second foray into the scripted genre. It will bring television viewers twisted morality tales from the darkly witty mind of creator and four-time Sundance Award-winning writer and director Bobcat Goldthwait. Each episode will tell a different story in a different genre – including 1970s-era science fiction, psychological thriller, romantic comedy and reality – and will parody pop culture norms and exploit the awkwardness of its flawed characters.
“From the moment Bobcat pitched this series, we were immediately drawn to his distinctly original vision for the show. There’s nothing like it on TV and I think audiences will feel the same way,” said Marissa Ronca, executive vice president and head of programming for truTV. “We’re excited to be working with another visionary creator, and comedy legend, on a project with a distinct point of view that will further bolster truTV’s position as a destination for comedic talent and fans.”
Goldthwait added, “Folks often call my movies dark, but I don’t see them that way. To me, the rest of the world is just too g*ddamn light. Messed Up Stories will examine accepted truths and hypocrisies of our culture and turn them inside out. Does love conquer all? Does fame and money buy you happiness? Not always.”
The series is produced by Left/Right with Goldthwait, Banks Tarver, Ken Druckerman and Olivia Wingate serving as executive producers.
Bobcat Goldthwait’s Messed Up Stories is the latest addition to truTV’s programming slate that features creator-driven comedic content with a distinct point of view. The network’s content is delivering strong ratings growth among all key demographics over the past three quarters and will build on it this fall with the debut of new episodes and seasons of popular series Adam Ruins Everything, Billy on the Street, Impractical Jokers and the network’s first-ever scripted series Those Who Can’t, as well as the anticipated new series Jon Glaser Loves Gear.
Bolstering this growing roster of originals, truTV also announced today it has ordered a 16-episode second season of the comedy competition series Comedy Knockout, as well as greenlit 12 additional episodes of Fameless and 10 episodes of Greatest Ever.
Hosted by Damien Lemon, Comedy Knockout pits comedians against each other in a series of fast-paced challenges, with the audience having sole discretion to decide who is the funniest person in the room. The whole time, the comedians throw roast-like, rapid-fire jabs at each other to knock their opponents off balance. Each show ends with one comedian crowned Champion, one eliminated, and one ultimately forced to face the crowd and apologize for going down in shameful defeat. Comedy Knockout will return to truTV this winter with 16 new half-hour episodes after a successful 26-episode first season. The series is produced by Embassy Row with 3 Arts Entertainment. Michael Davies, Amanda McPhillips, Julia Cassidy, Mo Mandel, Tim Fornara, Josh Lieberman and Greg Walter serve as executive producers. The series concept is by Mo Mandel.
Fameless is a genre-busting half-prank, half-sketch show from the mischievous mind of David Spade. truTV has placed an order for 12 additional half-hour episodes, bringing the season two total to 24 episodes, which will air this winter. The series is produced by Electus and Entertainment One (eOne) with David Spade, Ben Silverman and Kevin Healey of Propagate, and Tara Long of eOne serving as executives producers.
Freshman series Greatest Ever, hosted by comedian Amanda Seales, is a fast-paced, informative and fun pop-culture comedy countdown show that takes viewers through the “do’s” and “don’ts” of topics like weddings, animal videos, sports, politicians and awesomely, unintentionally funny inventions, infomercials and products. Bringing the total number of season one episodes to 16, the series will return early 2017 with an additional 10 half-hour episodes and is produced by Meetinghouse Productions with Jason Cilo serving as Executive Producer.
These programming moves look to bolster truTV’s unparalleled ratings momentum and consistent growth across key demographics. According to the latest available Nielsen data, the re-branded comedic network has delivered three consecutive quarters of growth among adults 18-34 in prime time, making it the only cable entertainment network in the top 30 to demonstrate increased viewership among that highly-coveted audience in that time frame. Additionally, truTV is growing in its total day ratings, registering gains among adults 18-34 and adults 18-49 across that same time period.
For bios, photos and other materials related to truTV’s presentation at the TCA Summer Press Tour, please visit eventpress.turner.com.
About truTV
Seen across multiple platforms in 90 million households, truTV delivers a fresh and unexpected take on comedy with such popular original series as Impractical Jokers, Billy on the Street, The Carbonaro Effect, Adam Ruins Everything, Hack My Life and Fameless, as well as the original scripted comedy Those Who Can’t. And the fun doesn’t stop there. truTV is also a partner in airing the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.
truTV is a division of Turner, a Time Warner company. Turner creates and programs branded news, entertainment, sports, animation and young adult multi-platform content for consumers around the world. Turner brands and businesses include CNN/U.S., HLN, CNN International and CNN.com, TBS, TNT, TCM, truTV, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Adult Swim, Turner Sports, Bleacher Report, iStreamPlanet and ELEAGUE.
