cross_jonze_arnett

Were you let down by the so-so showing of David Cross in this weekend’s Year One? Here’s the antidote: Cross has written a pilot for a UK comedy show called The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret. His co-writer is Shaun Pye, an actor who had a recurring role in Extras. Alongside Cross, the stars of the show are Will Arnett and, in his first big acting gig since Three Kings, Spike Jonze.

The pilot was shot recently and should be finished now, as Cross said to the LA Times a week ago:

I shot a pilot for Channel 4. And it’ll air, I believe, in December. When we picture-lock on Friday, it will be almost two years to the day that I was first approached by those guys. The cast is a crazy dream team.

Dream team, indeed. The plot follows a US exec who is mistakenly sent to run his company’s UK arm, and finds himself way over his head. Cross stars as exec Todd Margaret, with Jonze, Arnett and Russell Tovey supporting. The idea of seeing Jonze interact with that crew is incredible, and it’ll be great to see Cross in something where he’s had full control. The full synopsis, as found on producer RDF Media’s site, is below:

American Todd Margaret (David Cross) bluffs his way into an apparently great job opportunity, heading up the sales team in his employer’s London office. All he has to do is sell several thousand energy drinks before his boss visits him in a week. Simple. Apart from the fact that he knows nothing about British culture and nothing about sales. This is further complicated when he lies continuously to cover his ignorance and spectacularly fails to impress Alice the first beautiful girl he meets. Dave his British co-worker, soon takes full advantage of Todd’s situation and chaos ensues.

[via The Playlist]


  • luke_test
    Sharon Horgan from Pulling is also in this.
  • Colonel_Kurtz
    How many years until we get to see this in the states? Or will NBC rip it off and cast Eddie Izzard as the emigree? It was bad enough when all of our best shows were BBC ripoffs, but now they're making better shows with our own talent?! THIS MUST STOP!!!

    No, seriously, why is it so hard to import/export entertainment? Why does there have to be such a long delay before the BBC airs stuff on BBC America? I have family in London...young, impudent scamps who love to blurt out spoilers.

    NO EXPORTATION WITHOUT SYNDICATION!
  • Guy
    "all of our best shows were BBC ripoffs"?!?!!
    Trust me, dude, you don't know how good you've got it over there... The Wire, BSG, FNL, Curb... I am excited to see some American influence for UK TV. Although, to be fair, The Office absolutely stomps on the American version.
  • Call me an ignorant American, but I'm sorry, the American version of The Office is funnier (in my opinion). It is less dragging, the jokes are executed better, and the cast fits their roles better (although Gervais is BRILLIANT as David). I'll probably be a minority here, but I just like the American version better.
  • I think we can all agree that both versions are fantastic but there apples and oranges. I mean season 1 of American is weak as they reuse UK jokes but once it broke out on it's own it became a great show in its own right.

    As for me I feel the UK office is such a well told story and runs like a long long film. The dragging was also intentional and if you've worked in a british office every second is a joy of awkwardness lol. So yes I think UK is better but I still dearly love the US version also.
  • Joshua Ruth
    I've always felt that the shows are similar but with different sensibilities. While I still think the original is superior, it's not really an even playing field is it? I mean, the BBC 'Office' only ran for what 13 episodes? It didn't have the time to have weak episodes or get stale. Of course, that's one thing that the BBC (and HBO most of the time) does well: they don't run shows into the ground.
  • Colonel_Kurtz
    Top Gear and Doctor Who trump all. I'm going through serious withdrawals right now. I've been watching Dr. Who since I was 6, and we were a decade behind. I WOOTed at my desk when I found out the series was coming back after that marginally bad movie with the one-off doctor. You also get Dragon's Den and Ramsey's (a) Kitchen Nightmares. It's funny cuz he's insane, see?
  • I feel obliged to point out... this isn't a BBC show. It's for Channel 4, a completely different British broadcaster! http://www.channel4.com
  • Geoff
    Gob and Tobias, reunited once again.
  • Sketch
    GoBias! As in Go Buy Us some coffee!
  • ive made a huge mistake.
  • the best television shows seem to come from across the pond.
  • What side?
  • NickN328
    How will American get to see this?
  • Same way we get to see 30 Rock, The Office (US), Scrubs, How I Met Your Mother, Dexter, Family Guy etc.
  • EZTV, look it up, boy!
  • That's what I was trying to tip toward more subtley lol
  • Joshua Ruth
    My guess is that it will be available on BBC america. Also, shows like "The IT Crowd" are available on Netflix watch instantly. I'm sure there will be a way to see it.

    I am very excited, mostly for the Spike Jonze angle. Watching things like 'Three Kings,' his role in the 'Praise You' video and much of his great interviews, I think he's pretty hilarious. Of course, Cross and Arnett are wonderful as well.
  • vadmspartan
    Cross, Arnett, Jonze = sold.
  • Dear god, this is so beautiful!
  • Amazing. Just brilliant that I'll get to watch this AS IT AIRS. How rare lol
  • Matt
    My boner just got a boner.
  • Ryan M
    I never thought I'd see Spike Jonze act again after his great performance in Three Kings but I'm so relieved we'll be able to see him in front of the camera again.
  • ake
    Hell Yeah. Hell Yeah.
  • Me
    Just saw David Cross perform standup, he is showing 5 minutes of the first episode to American audiences. We may never see it untl some intrepid sould releases it on the internet and 5 years later the studio reluctantly sells a DVD set to American audiences and become amazed when the thing sells like crazy.

    The show is shot Mr. Show/Monty Python style - basically a series of short clips (poor decisions) that build on each other. Although this one has more narrative flow and focuses on a central character.
  • Steve M
    OK it has now aired in the UK and, although harsh to judge on the strength of one episode (although that is the point of a pilot after all), this wasn't great. I love the people involved, and Cross tries his best, but it just wasn't very funny I'm afraid.
  • David Cross and Will Arnett were fantastic in AD, just saw a four minute youtube video of this show and can't wait until I can see more
blog comments powered by Disqus