Comedy Central Orders Series With Anthony Jeselnik, Amy Schumer And Ben Hoffman
EXCLUSIVE: Comedy Central has ordered new series starring comedians Anthony Jeselnik, Amy Schumer and Ben Hoffman for a 2013 launch. Jeselnik’s show is a weekly, topical series reflecting his dark and twisted point-of-view, Schumer will topline a sketch series, and Hoffman will star in a sketch/man-on-the-street hybrid. “These three shows have one thing in common, and I dare viewers to watch every single episode to find out what it is,” said Kent Alterman, Comedy Central’s Head of Original Programming and Production.
The untitled Anthony Jeselnik series is written and executive produced by Jeselnik and head writer Tom Johnson. Showrunner Krysia Plonka and Mosaic’s Christie Smith are also executive producers. Jeselnik is probably best known for his appearances on Comedy Central’s roasts of Charlie Sheen and Donald Trump. Jeselnik, who recently taped a one-hour stand-up special for Comedy Central, Anthony Jeselnik: Caligula, had this response to the news of his pilot getting picked up to series: “Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money.” Jeselnik, repped by UTA, Mosaic and attorney Lev Ginsburg, has written for and appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and received a writing Emmy nomination last year for the Comedy Central special A Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert For Autism Education.
The untitled Amy Schumer sketch series will feature single-camera vignettes centered around a theme with Schumer playing heightened versions of herself. The vignettes will be linked together with stand-up footage. Schumer and Daniel Powell are executive producing, and Levity Entertainment’s Itay Reiss, Derek Van Pelt and Judi Brown Marmel are producing. “I am ecstatic to have a home at Comedy Central,” said Schumer. “I feel like that network raised me. I love everyone there…though it may just be Stockholm syndrome.” Rising comedian Schumer, former finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, was a standout at last year’s Sheen roast. She also has appeared on Comedy Central’s John Oliver’s New York Stand-up Show, Live At Gotham and Comedy Central Presents, as well as HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and NBC’s 30 Rock. She is with UTA and Levity.
Each week on The Ben Show, Hoffman will take a different life journey which could include him forming a band, finding religion, auditioning for a reality show or trying out volunteer work. Hoffman seeks advice from people in his life both past and present including his dad, ex-girlfriends, and therapist and tries to figure out how to keep it all from going wrong. These guests also act as co-hosts, helping Hoffman introduce the sketches and keep the show moving. “I am very excited to be doing this show for Comedy Central,” said Hoffman. “And to all the girls I’ve met throughout my life who wouldn’t have sex with me… it’s not too late.” The Ben Show is executive produced by Hoffman, Mike Gibbons, Itay Reiss and Derek Van Pelt and produced by Levity Entertainment. Hoffman, repped by CAA, Levity and attorney Lev Ginsburg, was a writer/correspondent for Comedy Central’s Sports Show with Norm Macdonald and a writer for the MTV Movie Awards. In addition, he has appeared on Arrested Development, The New Girl, and Drunk History. Hoffman recently pranked the Twittersphere with fake details about President Obama’s Hollywood fundraising event with George Clooney, tweeting as if he was present at the event.
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