POP GETS ANOTHER “HOT DATE” WITH COLLEGEHUMOR AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER WILL ARNETT, PICKING-UP SECOND SEASON OF THE SKETCH COMEDY SHOW
Network Orders Two Scripted Comedy Pilots, “Best Intentions” From A+E Studios and Executive Producers Adam Herz and Ben Silverman of Propagate Content, and “Ride or Die” from Gotham Group
PASADENA, CA – January 30, 2019 – Get those one-liners ready, Pop is renewing HOT DATE, the original sketch comedy series from Electus’ Big Breakfast and Executive Producer Will Arnett’s Electric Avenue Productions, inspired by the wildly popular CollegeHumor digital series. The 10-episode second season was announced earlier today by Pop President Brad Schwartz at the Television Critics Association tour.
Additionally, Schwartz announced Pop’s order of two new scripted comedy pilots: BEST INTENTIONS from A+E Studios with Writer/Executive Producer Adam Herz and Executive Producer Ben Silverman of Propagate Content; and RIDE OR DIE from writer Matt McConkey and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Stacey Lubliner of The Gotham Group, as well as Nomadic Pictures, with Executive Producer Michael Rosenberg.
Justin Rosenblatt, EVP of Original Programming of Pop stated, “All the incredibly talented auspices involved in these three projects have terrific senses of humor. We’re thrilled to go on another round with HOT DATE, which starts production in New Orleans this April, and our upcoming comedy pilots, which shoot next month, are relatable, broad and sometimes even indecorous.”
Programming descriptions are as follows:
HOT DATE (SEASON TWO): Fronted once again by husband and wife comedy duo Emily Axford and Brian K. Murphy, known for their hilarious parody content on CollegeHumor, this season of HOT DATE will tackle the awkwardness and unpredictability of friendships, love and adulthood with the help of new characters and familiar faces from the show’s freshman season. Season two will be set in a new city, New Orleans, and focus on the many eccentricities “The Big Easy” has to offer – from gluttonous bourbon-induced debauchery, to haunted Airbnb’s and more – while remaining centered on relational comedy. “Emily” and “Murph” are also planning a wedding and must attempt to navigate the various stresses that come with taking their relationship to the next level.
“With HOT DATE, we’ve been able to put an original spin on the relationship comedy, blending sketch and narrative elements in a way that really showcases Em and Murph’s incomparable comedic voices,” said Electus COO Drew Buckley. “We’re pleased to be digging into another season with our tremendous partners at Pop and look forward to bringing viewers more episodes that identify and illuminate life’s ridiculous, yet all too real, characters and encounters.”
HOT DATE is produced by Big Breakfast, an Electus company, with Drew Buckley, Chris Grant, Luke Kelly-Clyne, Sam Reich, Spencer Griffin and Matthew Pollock serving as executive producers. Will Arnett and Marc Forman executive produce via their Electric Avenue Productions banner, and Peter Principato, Joel Zadak, Tucker Voorhees, Brian Steinberg and Bryan Walsh are executive producers for Artists First. Axford and Murphy also serve as executive producers.
BEST INTENTIONS (PILOT): From A+E Studios in association with Propagate and Adam Herz, the writer of “American Pie” and two subsequent hit sequels, comes this half-hour scripted comedy that revolves around a teenager, his awkward single father who is the guidance counselor at his high school, and the all-too-smart women of their fumbling affections. Each episode promises the signature heart, lovable characters and outrageous comedic set pieces that are hallmarks of Herz’s style. BEST INTENTIONS is executive produced by Herz, Barry Jossen of A+E Studios and Ben Silverman of Propagate. Jay Weisleder of Propagate serves as co-executive producer. Steve Pink ("Hot Tub Time Machine") directs the pilot.
RIDE OR DIE (PILOT): From Matt McConkey one of the writers of “Heathers,” comes this half-hour scripted comedy. When an elite spin studio is rocked by a strange murder, a down-on-her-luck outsider teams up with a true-crime buff to find the killer. RIDE OR DIE is produced by Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Stacey Lubliner of The Gotham Group, as well as Nomadic Pictures, with Executive Producer Michael Rosenberg.
About Pop
Fans don’t sit at the outskirts of pop culture making snarky comments. They live right smack in the middle of it, sharing, creating and connecting their passions with others. Pop gives fans a dedicated channel that loves being a fan as much as they do. A channel filled with optimism, humor, excitement and a passion for the great times in life – those you remember and those still to come.
Pop is a joint venture of CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B). The partnership combines CBS’ programming, production and marketing assets with Lionsgate’s resources in motion pictures, television and digitally delivered content. Pop’s ownership structure is comprised of the company with the #1 broadcast network and many of the top first-run syndication series and the studio responsible for the worldwide box office phenomenon “La La Land,” winner of six Academy Awards, the blockbuster “Hunger Games,” “Twilight Saga,” “John Wick” and “Now You See Me” franchises and acclaimed television series including “Orange is the New Black,” “Nashville,” “Casual,” “The Royals” and “Greenleaf.”
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