HBO has tapped Topher Grace, Sarah Silverman and Patti Lupone for People In New Jersey, its half-hour comedy pilot written by Bruce Eric Kaplan, directed by Paul Feig and executive produced by Lorne Michaels. The project is described as a hilarious, poignant look at life today as seen through the prism of an adult brother and sister (Grace, Silverman) living in New Jersey. Carl Levin (Grace) is an affable locksmith who has a definite idea of how things and people should be and when the world doesn’t conform to his vision, he resists mightily. His sister Melanie (CAA-repped Silverman) is a former management consultant and a closet optimist who now works part-time at a department store. Their opinionated widowed mother Rachel (Lupone) focuses a lot of her energy on worrying about her children and why neither has settled down in a relationship. HBO, Broadway Video and Feigco Entertainment are producing, with Kaplan, Michaels, Andrew Singer and Feig exec producing, Ilene Landress serving as supervising producer and Jessie Henderson and Gina Heyman as producers. Grace, repped by ICM Partners, Brillstein Entertainment and Michael Gendler, is shooting Chris Nolan’s Interstellar.
I heard rumors about Topher Grace circling an HBO project. But him AND Sarah Silverman in a show directed by Paul Feig (who is even better than Jason Reitman who I thought was directing this) and EP’d by Lorne Michaels? I am so excited I think I might have a heart attack. Dream team!
Which person listed in your comment do you work for? No actual human speaks like this without getting paid.
Dear HBO,
this script is awful. Stop making shows about white people whose biggest problem is whether or not to go on a juice cleanse.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
Sarah Silverman is not an actress. I can’t understand why Hollywood does not understand this. She is playing the role of Sarah Silverman.
Did you see Wreck It Ralph? She was pretty impressive.
Take This Waltz – Did you see it?
Good move by all in my opinion.
Sounds like it belongs on ABC with Tim Allen. At least the slamming New Jersey angle is fresh.
Freddie, you are hilarious!
New Jersey: Best place to grow up, worst place to be at.
Topher Grace has had a huge rebound for his career. He has always come off as smug, but I’ve always enjoyed seeing him on the screen. He does a good job. Can’t wait to watch the show.
What happened to the big movie career, Topher?
What happened to complaining about Bill Lawrence, Miffy?
No matter how lame it is, since it’ll be on HBO we’ll be told it’s brilliant. It’ll be renewed for a second season before the closing credits of the pilot episode.
So preppy actor Christopher John Grace is playing Sarah Silverman’s brother, “Carl Levin”? Great casting job, guys!
Wow, this sounds so original! What a fresh spin!
“Their opinionated widowed mother Rachel (Lupone) focuses a lot of her energy on worrying about her children and why neither has settled down in a relationship.”
HOW DO PEOPLE PITCH THESE SHOWS WITH A STRAIGHT FACE?
I doubt he had to pitch. He writes for Girls. They just hand those people deals at this point. HBO is in the business of making shows no one watches about irritating white people.
Pilot was hilarious. Cast is good. So excited!!
I love HBO
The script is pretty awful but the casting is ABSURD. In what universe could Sarah Silverman and Topher Grace be brother and sister? That’s ridiculous. Too bad for them Jason Biggs is on a better show and wasn’t avail.
Yeah HBO in the bayside area …haha “People in New Jersey” filmed in NY!!!!!