Comedy Central Announces a Pile of New Shows, Specials, and Pilots

In addition to striking development deals with Jessica Williams and Jordan Klepper, Comedy Central announced a whole bunch of new projects today including five new series, ten new specials, and eleven new pilots from Kevin Hart, Jeff Ross, Rob Huebel, Jeremy Konner, Nick Swardson, Pete Davidson, Rachel Feinstein, Moshe Kasher, Chioke Nassor, and more. It’s a whole lot of stuff! Here’s the full rundown from the press release:

SERIES/SPECIALS GREENLIGHTS “Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City” – produced by Hartbeat Productions, this eight-episode series follows Kevin Hart as he travels to different cities to explore the local comedy scenes in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Birmingham, Miami and Sacramento. In this series, executive produced by Hart, Dave Becky of 3 Arts Entertainment, Leland “Pookey” Wigington and Michele Armour, Hart will introduce some of the newest voices in comedy today. Untitled Kevin Hart Stand-Up Series – also produced by Hartbeat Productions, this stand-up series features six half-hour episodes of stand-up where Kevin Hart will spotlight one up-and-coming comedian each episode. “Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle” – this new competition comedy special features a no-holds-barred verbal boxing match where comedians go head-to-head in a battle of wit and insults. Led by the Roastmaster General, Jeff Ross, and the referee/comedian, Brian Moses, this Fight Club of comedy is presented in a bracket style competition where two comics in each round face off, roast each other and a winner is declared by a celebrity panel of judges. This unique comedy competition is a true clash of the sharpest, funniest, roast comics on the planet. Welcome to the Thunderdome of comedy! “Jeff Ross Roasts the Police” – Freeze, you’re under a-roast! America’s Roastmaster General, Jeff Ross, steps into some burning national issues and rides along in the hottest seat in town in his new one-hour special. Following on the heels of his celebrated roast of inmates and guards at the Brazos County Jail, this special finds Jeff looking at the complicated national issues surrounding policing; from race, profiling and excessive force to the risks officers take every day and the effect that police work has on their lives, families and health. To understand what it means to be a cop in America today, Ross steps behind the thin blue line for a ride-along/Roast-along with a cross section of officers from a major, metropolitan police force. Along the way, Jeff meets with perps, anti-police activists, newly-minted cadets and seasoned top brass. Untitled Comedy Documentaries – Comedy Central is making an unprecedented commitment to a series of cutting edge comedy documentaries that will offer a specific and unique take on compelling stories from the world of comedy - a project conceived for the network by Emmy®-nominated “Drunk History” and “Another Period” executive producer and director, Jeremy Konner, and Pentimento Productionsdocumentary Producer Emma Pildes. The network is partnering with Konner and the award-winning team at Susan Lacy’s Pentimento Productions – Emma Pildes, Jessica Levin and the legendary documentarian Susan Lacy — creator and former executive producer of the multiple award-winning PBS cultural biography series “American Masters.” Comedy Central will invite notable comedy talent, writers, producers and directors to tell a specific story that is personal, unique and anchored in comedy. Each documentary will have its own look, feel and sensibility based on the storyteller’s personal perspective. These new stories will be surprising, funny and will use a visual language to give each film a singular identity. “Typical Rick” – this five-episode, digital series stars Nick Swardson as “Gary” and Simon Rex as “Rick,” best friends from the Midwest who move to Hollywood in an attempt to chase their dreams…well, “Gary’s” dreams. Unfortunately for this odd couple, “Rick” turns out to be the worst “plus one” in history, constantly imploding any chance of success with the same inappropriate party-guy antics he’s displayed their whole lives. Created by Swardson and filmmaker Nicholaus Goossen, who will also direct, “Typical Rick” filters life in Los Angeles through their unique voice. Untitled Jordan Klepper Special – “Daily Show” correspondent Jordan Klepper brings his unique point-of-view to this special that focuses on social, cultural and political issues. Untitled Goddamn Comedy Jam Special – An Ugly Brothers Studios production, this one-hour special is executive produced by Joel Gallen, Josh Adam Meyers and Mike and Tim Duffy. Based on the hit underground live show called The Goddamn Comedy Jam, it’s the intersection of comedy genius and rock & roll dreams featuring five stand-up comedians telling funny, poignant and ridiculous stories that have an association with an iconic hit song. After each story, the comedians sing their song live backed by the Comedy Jam Band. Untitled Pete Davidson Stand-up Special – “SNL” cast member, Pete Davidson, will shoot his first one-hour stand-up special at the Skirball Center in NYC on April 30.Executive produced by Davidson, Tim Sarkes, and Joel Gallen, who will direct. “Deon Cole: Cole Blooded Seminar” – Deon Cole gets it poppin’ in Washington DC’s Lincoln Theatre in his first one-hour stand-up special. The “Conan” writer and co-star of “Black-ish” explains what’s thicker than cold peanut butter, knowing when better looking dudes are around, how to manage his blackness and more. “Big Jay Oakerson Live at Webster Hall” – “Big” Jay Oakerson makes his one-hour special debut on Comedy Central. Filmed at the legendary New York City music venue provides the perfect heavy metal comedy vibe for Jay’s special. Jay’s comedy is raw, compelling and honest to the core, as he takes viewers on a journey of brutal truths about his relationship with his daughter, sexual tension between he and his best friend Dave and offers advice to women on how to delicately handle men with an unfortunate penis size. Big Jay’s comedy special will bring couples together, tear them apart or just make them laugh. “Dan Soder: Not Special” – filmed at the historic Trocadero Theater in Philadelphia, Dan Soder’s first stand-up special offers up his smart, unpretentious take on fancy potheads, tech-savvy two-year olds, only children, and his new way to release tension. He also thinks his “Nana” is better than yours. Untitled Kurt Braunohler Stand-up Special – Comedian, sky writer, and master of the absurd, Kurt Braunohler, will shoot his first one-hour stand-up special this fall. Untitled Joe DeRosa Stand-up Special – Joe DeRosa will shoot his first one-hour stand-up special this fall. Untitled Trevor Moore Stand-up Special – In his second one hour special, Trevor Moore willuse music and sketch to talk about a large variety of topics (but mostly about a girl named Krystal who would never talk to him in high school). PILOT AND SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT Untitled Jessica Williams Project – “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” correspondent brings her unique point-of-view to a narrative scripted pilot executive produced and written by Williams with Naomi Ekperigin. Williams, a writer and performer out of the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles, joined “The Daily Show” in 2012 as their youngest correspondent. She had a recurring role in the third season of HBO’s “Girls” and appeared in the Sundance comedy, “People Places Things.” Williams was also named one of Variety’s “Top 10 Comics to Watch” in 2012 and was included on Variety’s 2015 New York Women’s Impact Report. Untitled Jordan Klepper Project – “Daily Show” correspondent Jordan Klepper has signed a development deal with Comedy Central for a late night talk show presentation. Executive produced by Klepper and Kirsten Ames. Klepper joined “The Daily Show” in 2014 after years at the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City. He also worked as a writer and contributor on the Big Ten Network show, “Friday Night Tailgate,” “Charlamagne & Friends,” and as a contributing writer on HBO’s “Ferrell Takes the Field.” Untitled Rachel Feinstein Project –this half-hour pilot starring Rachel Feinstein features hidden camera segments where Feinstein goes undercover to perform social experiments that tackle a different issue or theme each week. The series includes stand-up, sketch and conversations with comedians where Feinstein riffs on the week’s theme. Untitled Justin Willman Project – Comedian Justin Willman aims to fix the world’s greatest problems and social injustices using the only logical method we have left: Magic. “Do You Want to See a Dead Body?” – based on the Funny or Die shorts, “Do You Want to See a Dead Body?” is a half-hour, scripted pilot that follows Rob Huebel as he embarks on a bizarre quest/adventure to see a dead body with a different celebrity guest each week. “Germany” (pilot presentation) – an animated series about a community of germs living in a Petri dish at the University of Berlin. Executive produced by and starring Channing Tatum, “Germany” explores the trials and tribulations of diverse microorganisms living in a microcosm of our world – complete with political scandals, climate change and vaccination deniers. “Germany” is a unique world in which both the laughter and the characters are contagious. “Hood Adjacent” – Based on the Comedy Central original series, “Swag-A-Sauraus with James Davis” on Snapchat Discover, Davis, who was born and raised in South Central, one block away from where the sh** goes down, uses his multifaceted hybrid brand of comedy to share his unique take on the world. In this pilot, Davis educates the live and intimate audience on contemporary urban topics, bridging the gap between Urban and Mainstream comedy. “Live From Everywhere” – shot in front of a studio audience, this live, half-hour variety show for the digital generation uses live streams to orchestrate the coolest, most unpredictable hangouts with celebrities and comedians. “Problematic with Moshe Kasher” – a half-hour pilot hosted by Moshe Kasher who uses his own brand of “comedy journalism” to crawl into the social media muck of our most polarizing issues, provocative questions and heated arguments and dissect them in front of a studio audience. The multiplatform show seeks to understand the current culture of online outrage and discuss previously unexamined viewpoints on a number of topics in a stimulating and comedic debate. “Rudy” (pilot presentation) – an animated project written by Robert Padnick that follows childish “cholo” Rudy Cisneros who, after serving a 15-year prison sentence, wants to dissociate from gang life and start being there for his wife, kids and abuelita. Executive produced by Ed Helms and Mike Falbo of Pacific Electric and Animated by Titmouse. Based on Mike Catherwood’s childhood and his “Rudy” character on “Loveline.” Catherwood, Fred Armisen, Kether Donohue, Tony Revolori, and Danny Trejo make up the voice cast. “Storytime” – based on the web series created by Chioke Nassor, this half-hour pilot follows three comedians who recreate personal stories by playing every character in their story in dreamlike reenactments. In between segments, the performers and a host sit at a roundtable dissecting and reacting to one another’s stories in front of a live audience. Untitled Kyle Dunnigan Project (script deal) – this script, set at a superhero academy, follows Kyle Dunnigan (“Inside Amy Schumer”) as a professor with unimpressive powers. Written by Dunnigan and Kim Caramele (“Inside Amy Schumer”) and executive produced by Dunnigan, Caramele and Amy Schumer. “Awkwafina” (script deal) – half-hour scripted narrative that focuses on a heightened version of Nora Lum, better known as rapper Awkwafina, as she navigates the underground hip hop community in Queens. As Awkwafina, Lum sets out to bring together her naturally-comedic personality with her rapping, producing viral songs like “My Vag,” “NYC Bitche$,” and “Giant Margaritas”—a song inspired by New York City’s ban on large sodas. On the acting front, Nora will be featured in “Neighbors 2” coming out this summer. “Best Seller” (script deal) – executive produced by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Jessica Elbaum’s Gloria Sanchez Productions along with Olivia Wilde, this script written by Nora Kirkpatrick and Dennis McNicholas, is set in the world of a third rate home shopping network. After the reigning queen of the channel is electrocuted on-air during a hair drying demonstration gone wrong, her three venomous power hungry disciples enter into a cutthroat competition for her coveted time slot. “Casey Vs.” (script deal) – Casey Jost one-ups “Man vs. Wild” in the most extreme survival guide ever made and teaches viewers how to handle everything from the zombie apocalypse to an alien invasion. Executive produced by Casey Jost, Krister Johnson, Marla Ratner and Jim Biederman and written by Johnson. “Delco Proper” (script deal) – based on the Comedy Central digital series, “Delco Proper” centers around a family owned lumber yard and its blue collar crew made up of hardworking locals who never left their hometown in Delaware County, PA. “Drunk Girl/High Guy” (script deal) – this Sarah Walker script follows the adventures of two best friends and work wife/work husband in New York City – a girl who is almost always drunk, and a guy who is almost always high. “East 89th” (script deal) – based on Sean Donnelly’s real life experiences centering around the dysfunctional doormen of a luxury high-rise building on East 89th Street in New York City. “GERP” (script deal) – Produced by Jack Black’s Electric Dynamite and co-written by Dick Blasucci (“Mad TV”) and Janine DiTullio (“Late Night wtih Jimmy Fallon”), this show within a show follows a federal worker who hosts a government produced variety TV show from inside his cubicle during the work day. It’s all part of the Government Entertainment Recovery Program created in response to a decline in the American spirit and laughter over the past 10 years. Their mission statement is simple, give every American citizen a reason to feel good about themselves again through ‘high energy’ bipartisan entertainment. “Legal-ish” (script deal) – written by Dave Storrs and Steve Mallory, follows a well-meaning slacker who finds himself on the jury bench of the longest-running case at his local courthouse. “New Timers” (script deal) – based on the Comedy Central Digital series, “New Timers” takes place following an apocalyptic “event.” Matt Porter and Charlie Hankin, who create, star, executive produce and direct the series, now live their day-to-day in what’s left of Brooklyn, looking for adventures, new friends and ways to pass the time. “Tijuana Beach” (script deal) – this animated project follows a Mexican American father who inherits a rundown resort from his uncle and relocates his family to Mexico. Executive produced and written by Tommy Dewey, Greg Bratman and “The Daily Show’s” Al Madrigal. “Used People” (script deal) – based on the Comedy Central digital series written by Michelle Wolf and Dan Soder, “Used People” follows uptight Michelle and stoner Dan who spend their days arguing, obsessing over their messy personal lives and – theoretically – selling used cars.

Comedy Central Announces a Pile of New Shows, […]