Last week, in the wake of Eddie Huang's complaints that he felt ABC's "Fresh Off the Boat" was distorting and softening his childhood experiences, this column examined how hard it is for any biographical or autobiographical sitcom to be true to the life of its source and still be a crowd-pleasing primetime network entertainment. You'd think, after decades of trying, TV writers and network programming executives would be aware of this.
Nonetheless, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the networks have no fewer than ten such sitcom pilots in production, as the first episodes of potential 2015-16 primetime series. Some are based on the lives of already famous entertainers, some on the self-referential stand-up comedy routines of not-quite-famous comics, and some on memoirsts who've lived interesting lives.
Here's a rundown of these pilots, with a look at who these shows are about, who's starring in them, what the series might be like,...
Nonetheless, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the networks have no fewer than ten such sitcom pilots in production, as the first episodes of potential 2015-16 primetime series. Some are based on the lives of already famous entertainers, some on the self-referential stand-up comedy routines of not-quite-famous comics, and some on memoirsts who've lived interesting lives.
Here's a rundown of these pilots, with a look at who these shows are about, who's starring in them, what the series might be like,...
- 4/17/2015
- by Gary Susman
- Moviefone
Chris McDonald (Boardwalk Empire) has joined Fox's multi-camera/hybrid pilot Fantasy Life. He replaces James Caan, who was originally cast in the role but exited after the table read. Fantasy Life was written by Tim McAuliffe based on the memoir by top fantasy sports expert, Espn's Matthew Berry. When hard-working Mitch (Kevin Connolly) lands his ultimate dream job hosting a fantasy football show, he's forced to navigate office politics while becoming the star he never…...
- 3/25/2015
- Deadline TV
The entertainment industry is constantly changing, and it's important to stay aware of what’s going on. Want to find out who’s casting? What projects are happening? What’s coming up? Call Sheet highlights will help you stay in-the-know: Fox has lined up Branman/Brander Casting to field the ball on the football pilot “Fantasy Life” starring Kevin Connolly. Tom Ellis is the earthbound devil in the DC comic–turned–Fox pilot “Lucifer” which acquired Barnes/Bronson for its casting. “48 Hours 'Til Monday” is spending more than a couple days with Zane/Pillsbury Casting as the comedy pilot about a husband’s fight to survive the weekend goes into production. Mad scientists need apply for the newly adapted “Frankenstein” pilot from Patrick Rush Casting; the once dead will rise in late March when filming commences in Dallas. Gone are the days of chasing around the Olsen twins as John Stamos transitions into “Grandpa,...
- 3/18/2015
- backstage.com
Jamie Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos), Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio (Grimm) and Cara Buono (Mad Men) are among the latest actors to book pilots this winter.
RelatedPilot Season ’15: Scoop on This Fall’s (Possible) New Shows, Who’s In Them
Per our sister site Deadline…
* Sigler will co-star in Fox’s multi-camera comedy Fantasy Life, the story of a man (Entourage‘s Kevin Connolly) who gets a job hosting a fantasy football show. Sigler is playing the show’s “strong, confident, attractive, smart” sports analyst. She will also serve as an executive producer.
* Mastrantonio has joined the CBS drama pilot Limitless,...
RelatedPilot Season ’15: Scoop on This Fall’s (Possible) New Shows, Who’s In Them
Per our sister site Deadline…
* Sigler will co-star in Fox’s multi-camera comedy Fantasy Life, the story of a man (Entourage‘s Kevin Connolly) who gets a job hosting a fantasy football show. Sigler is playing the show’s “strong, confident, attractive, smart” sports analyst. She will also serve as an executive producer.
* Mastrantonio has joined the CBS drama pilot Limitless,...
- 3/18/2015
- TVLine.com
The Sopranos alumna Jamie Lynn Sigler will co-star opposite Kevin Connolly, Vanessa Williams, and James Caan in Fox's multi-camera/hybrid pilot Fantasy Life, written by Tim McAuliffe based on the memoir by one of U.S.' top fantasy experts, Espn's Matthew Berry. When hard-working Mitch (Connolly) lands his ultimate dream job hosting a fantasy football show, he's forced to navigate office politics while becoming the star he never thought he could be. Sigler will play Abby…...
- 3/17/2015
- Deadline TV
Jussie Smollett is howling with laughter. We’re discussing Season 1 of Fox’s ratings juggernaut Empire, and I’ve blurted out an (admittedly) ridiculous question: Is there any way to restore the trust between Smollett’s character, the newly out-and-proud gay R&B singer Jamal Lyon, and his disapproving father Lucious (Terrence Howard)? (Keep in mind, of course, that last week Lucious confessed he’s the biological father of Lola, the little girl Jamal thought he’d conceived with his ex-wife Olivia.)
RelatedCuba Gooding Jr. Talks Forever Fling, Empire Quickie, His O.J. Crime Story
“Lucious is the master puppeteer.
RelatedCuba Gooding Jr. Talks Forever Fling, Empire Quickie, His O.J. Crime Story
“Lucious is the master puppeteer.
- 3/17/2015
- TVLine.com
James Caan is set for a co-starring role opposite Kevin Connolly and Vanessa Williams in Fox's multi-camera/hybrid pilot Fantasy Life, written by Tim McAuliffe based on the memoir by one of U.S.' top fantasy experts, Espn's Matthew Berry. When hard-working Mitch (Connolly) lands his ultimate dream job hosting a fantasy football show, he's forced to navigate office politics while becoming the star he never thought he could be. Caan plays the tough and humorless Chuck, an…...
- 3/16/2015
- Deadline TV
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