Paul Feig and Judd Apatow were the core creative team on Freaks and Geeks, with Feig taking point, working as a writer on all episodes and producing the series with Apatow. In the years since the show’s brief run the two have found scant opportunity to work together. Now a comedy written by and starring Kristen Wiig will bring them together again.
The script, written by Wiig and Annie Mumolo, is about a pair of women who duke it out to earn the honor of planning their best friend’s wedding party. The film was one of the projects being considered by James Bobin before he jumped on to direct the new Muppet movie. Feig will direct in his stead. At the time (not so long ago) the Wiig script was called Bridesmaids, but THR’s announcement about Feig directing refers to it as an untitled project.
While the Feig/Apatow reunion news is great, the other interesting part of this story is Kristen Wiig taking the lead role in a feature. She’s so often great when asked to add flavor and character to a sketch or a film, and I’m interested to see her make the leap to center stage.
HBO has premiered the first full episode of the new television series Bored to Death online almost a week before the televised premiere. For those of you who haven’t heard of the show, Death is being billed as “A Noir-otic Comedy”.
Jason Schwartzman stars as Jonathan Ames (well, not the real Jonathan Ames, although he is a writer on the show), an alcoholic noir-fiction-obsessed writer who impulsively decides to become an unlicensed private detective. The show also features Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) as Ames’ best friend Ray, a comic book writer, who along with Ames’ editor (played by Ted Danson), winds up tagging along for a few detective cases. Seems like a great concept for a television show.
The series also features guest appearances from John Hodgman (Daily Show, Mac ads), Patton Oswalt, Kirsten Wiig, Parker Posey, Bebe Neuwirth, Oliver Platt, Olivia Thirlby. And if you’re not sold yet… Paul Feig, of Freaks and Geeks, The Office and Arrested Development fame, directs a couple episodes. Check out the first episode now embedded after the jump. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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HBO has premiered a full trailer for the new television series Bored to Death, which is being billed as “A Noir-otic Comedy”. Jason Schwartzman stars as Jonathan Ames (well, not the real Jonathan Ames, although he is a writer on the show), an alcoholic noir-fiction-obsessed writer who impulsively decides to become an unlicensed private detective. The show also features Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) as Ames’ best friend Ray, a comic book writer, who along with Ames’ editor (played by Ted Danson), winds up tagging along for a few detective cases. Seems like a great concept for a television show.
The trailer also features guest appearances from John Hodgman (Daily Show, Mac ads), Patton Oswalt, Kirsten Wiig, Parker Posey, Bebe Neuwirth, Oliver Platt and while I didn’t notice her in the trailer, IMDb also lists the wonderful Olivia Thirlby. And if you’re not sold yet… Paul Feig, of Freaks and Geeks, The Office and Arrested Development fame, directs a couple episodes. Check out the trailer now embedded after the jump. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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Over the last decade, Martin Starr has brought a unique ruckus to comedy on TV and in the movies. As an actor, he portrays characters that have settled into their aloof, awkward skins by way of deep thought, nerdy diversion, and hilarious observation. Poofs of weed smoke often chip in. While plagued with girl problems, his characters typically win over audiences until they are subtly recognized as the coolest, smartest dudes on screen.
It was under the guidance of Paul Feig and Judd Apatow—as the lanky, bespectacled and beloved teenager Bill Haverchuck on Freaks and Geeks—that Starr set this precocious M.O. in motion. And it’s a personal belief that had Freaks not been brutally axed in ‘00 during its lone season, Haverchuck would have gone on to land a bevy of moist females. Of course, Freaks is now forever renown for launching a bevy of careers, including those of Starr, Seth Rogen and James Franco. And for being one of the best fucking things ever. Starr has notably followed up with memorable roles in Knocked Up—beard fail—and in the recent, terrific Adventureland, an ’80s time-capsule that stays with you like the killer kiss on a Ferris Wheel that didn’t happen and will not.
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We don’t post a lot of TV news but we couldn’t let this kidney stone of bananas pass us by. Aziz Ansari of the Human Giant clan (and fellow /Film reader) has joined NBC’s spin-off to The Office. Ansari is the first cast member to be announced for the top-secret comedy series. At this point it’s believed that the cast will consist of an all new line-up, though rumors persist about the involvement of Rashida Jones, who played Karen Filippelli, Jim’s ex-flame, on the original U.S. series. Yes, that’s the first “ex-flame” I’ve ever typed.
What’s more, the super-talented Paul Feig of Freaks and Geeks fame just boarded the show’s writing staff, which includes Dan Goor (Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show), Alan Yang (South Park), and Charlie Grandy (SNL, The Daily Show). Nice. Executive producers Michael Shur and Greg Daniels say they’re still deciding on a premise for the untitled show, set to premiere after next year’s Superbowl and thereafter in the timeslot following the ongoing trials of Jim, Pam and Michael. Yeah, you could say we’re excited…in advance. And congrats to Ansari.
In other TV news, the new season of Weeds premieres this Monday on Showtime, while the hotly anticipated second season of Mad Men premieres July 27th on AMC.
via Variety /E!
Discuss: What are your predictions for The Office spin-off? How about The Office?
