EXCLUSIVE: We have the first major bidding war of the season — I hear ABC, NBC and Fox are in pursuit of Imagine TV/20th Century Fox TV’s untitled Sarah Silverman comedy co-written by and starring the irreverent comedian, with at least 2 networks, ABC and NBC, offering major commitments. (CBS has not heard the pitch yet). What’s more, the single-camera comedy loosely based on Silverman’s life has become a pet project of Imagine principal Ron Howard. Imagine’s TV division is under the oversight of Howard’s partner, Brian Grazer, who serves as an executive producer on all TV shows. Very rarely has Howard taken personal interest in a TV project, becoming deeply invested in its development as was the case with Imagine TV’s Emmy-winning Arrested Development. That is now the case with the Silverman project, and Howard has gone along to all pitch meetings at the networks. Co-produced by Imagine TV and 20th TV, the single-camera comedy stars Silverman as a woman readjusting to the single life after a decade long live-in relationship. Silverman is writing with Dan Sterling and Jon Schroeder, who were writer-producers on Silverman’s eponymous Comedy Central series. Silverman, Howard, Sterling, Grazer and Francie Calfo are executive producing.





Sounds promising, but, no cable? It’s hard to imagine her without using strong words.
What, no Rob Schrab or Dan Harmon?
Can’t see her schtick working on network television. Might as well flush the money down the toilet.
Oh man, you should email all the heads of the networks to let them know about this, anonymous internet commenter!
I hope you’re not saying this because of Ron Howard and Imagine’s involvement. This is the same company that just bought us the NBC debacle “Friends with Benefits.”
I am simply saying that Sarah plays to a niche on cable. She does not have mass appeal. That’s always been the case. Then again if the show went to NBC that would fit what they are doing since none of their shows have mass appeal beyond Football and the Voice.
No more cat food for Laura Silverman!
Guess this will be less twee 9/11 jokes.
*shrug* if ther’s any justice it’ll go over as well at Jenny McCarthy’s sitcom.
Don’t remember it?
Exactly!
I think she’s hilarious but she’s more suited for cable than broadcast…she gets away with more on cable.
…the money is in broadcast though
”bidding war”
more episodes, more money per episode, more exposure..
I don’t know. Pretty unbelievable to me. This lady is about as funny as watching my child get autopsied. And no, I am not a failed or wannabe writer, her ex bf from HS, and yes I have a real sense of humor (and I’m a democrat). She’s like a million other people out there that think just because something happened to her – it’s interesting and people want to hear her talk about it. Boring!
she couldn’t even stay on the air on cable. why would the networks bid on this trash?
Sarah Silverman on Network Television? Big mistake. What a waste of time. First of all, she’s not likeable. Women hate her. And all her “comedy” relies on making racist comments, poop and fart jokes, and uncomfortable religious humor. That’s not network TV. Don’t the folks @ Imagine know what cable television is for? — Didn’t they learn that with ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT? Guess not.
Wow the network invasion of Unfunny, Pale-Skinned Brunettes Who Nobody Likes Outside L.A. is in full swing. First Whitney Cummings, now Sarah Silverman. Both are decent to look at, but once they start talking, forget it.
Proud to be a sexist pig, misogynist?
They’re both annoying and unfunny (I’ve seen both their stand-up acts and a couple of eps of Silverman’s old show), but I’m misogynist.
Riiiight.
If they were GUYS and they weren’t funny, nobody would say shit.
I know! Two whole shows with brunette females! What TV is sorely missing is a wise-cracking, average-looking white guy in his 30s married to/dating a woman who’s way hotter than he is.
never saw a performer more in love with herself….pass
I’m a woman who didn’t like Sarah at first, but then after actually WATCHING her show realized how underappreciated she is. She works with great people too. And in reference to Arrested Development, it’s widely known as a gone-too-soon sitcom, so I don’t see why that would be working against Imagine in this case.
1. Nice to see bidding wars still go on in this dead town.
2. Sarah Silverman, like commenter JOHN said, is so in love with herself it’s disgusting. I think America is kinda over here, too, but we’ll let the 5 people with Nielsen boxes decide that.
3. ‘FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS’ was the most artificial looking series I’ve ever seen. The sets, the characters, the stories, so cliche and obvious and unrealistic. They were forcing down our throats the idea that these people are friends, and let me tell you, the apartment they lived in looked like it came out of a catalogue. And no, that’s not a complement.
4. Between this, the Chelsea Handler thing, the 2 Broke Girls thing, the new Carrie Bradshaw thing, and so on, and so forth, we’re all going to be so sick and tired of female-driven shows that no female-driven shows will even be on air by 2013, and then women will go back to complaining there are no female-driven shows on the air. Just relax with ’em, we don’t even know if they work yet. And why do all the strong females of these shows need to be the same (drunk, vulgar, sexual, bold)? Get real.
RE: “we’re all going to be so sick and tired of female-driven shows that no female-driven shows will even be on air by 2013”
So after BIG BANG THEORY, TWO AND A HALF MEN, ENTOURAGE, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and nightly re-runs of SEINFELD, I suppose no one will want to see a male-driven comedy anymore? Your sexism is showing.
Did any of you short-sighted morons consider the possibility that Sarah knows the difference between cable and network and will attempt to tailor the show accordingly and that it’s worth a shot? Jeez. Don’t worry, looks like Jim Belushi is going to have a new show so there will be something uninventive and stale for all you humerless assholes posting here to watch and put your considerable support behind.
Jon Schroeder is a hilarious writer, amazing guy, and fantastic neighbor.
So he returns the tools that he borrows?
Sarah Silverman is great. I would rather see her show on cable but while it may be tougher, good network comedy can be done. I’ll be watching no matter what channel she is on.
Guys, have you read the actual article or are just commenting on the title?
Networks aren’t interested in signing Sarah Silverman, the personality, because she will be a proven hit with the audience. They’re interested by a great pitch and a good project, in which Silverman is a major part. If her and her writers came up with a great idea, it could be a big thing.
The real question is whether she’s able to develop a character who’s really different from the one she usually plays. This one wouldn’t work on network TV and she hasn’t shown lots of range in her various projects.
But David Cross, for instance, was able to be Tobias Fünke, a character who was nothing like he did on Mr. Show.
I’m Fünkeing Matt Damon
Two words: Tax Man
Daniel,
Hilarious? Come on. Here we go again. One from the Losers Club, who the execs. think must be cool, buy in. She is not funny. Was doing comedy in NY for 10 years with no interest. Now she’s funny? Please. Not even intelligent. Like Jon Stewart. Not funny. HUH, ME? — weird face, sycophantic laughter. Not funny.
Thank you.
Comparing Sarah Silverman to Jon Stewart? Why?
One of them is very intelligent, and extremely funny, and in touch with the way the world works, and able to leverage that into an incredibly entertaining television program that makes you think and makes you laugh and pushes for social change. The other one is Jon Stewart.
I have watched The Sarah Silverman Program over and over. There were very few episodes in the whole bunch that weren’t gut-twistingly funny and have to settle for just being hilariously funny. It featured the only 2 non-stereotypical gay characters on television! How refreshing to see normal gay people on TV – cause every other show/movie has to have flamers. I loved there escalating and incredibly tense situations to prove nonsense points. Jay was just hilarious, and to understand the beauty and sweetness of Laura’s character I think you have to watch her excited jumping up and down when her father beat up Sarah’s imaginary friend as an adult.
God I hate commenters. Sarah is fantastic. She will temper her act a fits the gig. And if it doesn’t work, so what? It’s only showbiz, you bunch of such and suches…
Thisd sure sounds like Jimmy Kimmel. I’m not saying it is, just the phrasing and sensibility.
I think sarah is a horrible entertainer and I will not give her new show a chance. This family will not tune in. Neither will most households with children. Houses with children won’t even give her a chance, so this could be the greatest show ever and it wouldn’t get numbers.
Sarah will have me tipping my chair with laughter, astound me with an idea that’s amazingly fresh and new, and then top it with something so deeply offensive, so scatological and disgusting that I’m done with her for a few weeks.
Looking on the bright side, perhaps a network gig will keep her clear of those childish efforts to shock and disgust, and so let the admirable and unique comedy come forth untainted.
Hey, one can hope.
Plenty of houses with children nationwide (and even internationally) have been watching South Park, Family Guy and many other ‘bold’ humor shows for decades, haven’t they? What are you, a Mormon?
“Horrible entertainer” Cripes, you’re nuts. She’s a frickin gem. Hilarious, gorgeous, smart, and unpredictable. What do you like? I’ll watch for sure.
This says it all about network television development. Little loser-geek development executives wet themselves because Ron Howard walks in with their favorite, unfunny, smug, rodent-faced comedian. None of them actually think she’s funny (because deep down, does anyone? I mean, really? Seriously?) but they all need to appear hip and cutting edge because they know if they don’t buy it, the little loser-geek D-boys or girls at the competing network definitely WILL. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy anyone at a network even has the passion to engage in a bidding war, but as usual, it’s about something that will never even get off the ground, let alone appeal to the masses.
rodent faced? that’s classy. i’m sure you’re a total expert and a paragon of taste. yeah, i think she’s very funny. what boring, “tasteful” cookie cutter crap do you watch?
Yes. I think she’s hilariously funny. So do most people I know. So does anyone who can realize she’s not remotely racist – and that’s the point of her comedy.
Rodent faced? I’m sure she thinks you’re a real prize too.