Pilot notes: Johnny Galecki, Shane Dawson, and a ‘Tales from the Darkside’ update
We really can’t think of three more different topics to be discussing when it comes to the early portion of pilot season, but rather than delaying this any further, let’s go ahead and dive right into the news of the day.
Johnny Galecki – The mega-rich star of “The Big Bang Theory” has a pilot on another network this coming season in Fox, but don’t worry: He’s not leaving his day job. Galecki will executive-produce the project “Here’s Your D**n Family” at the network along with Stephen McPherson (former boss of ABC Entertainment) and writer Ricky Blitt. The story here is of a long-single mother who decides to get married and move the entire new family in … which comes to a shock of her 32-year old son, who suffers from some social problems. This could be “yet another family comedy,” or it could be great. Galecki obviously knows good comedy thanks to this and “Roseanne,” and McPherson has obviously been around the block for a long time. While Fox may be the network here, the project hails from the same studio as “The Big Bang Theory” in Warner Bros. TV.
Shane Dawson – One of the most-popular YouTube stars is also dipping his toes into development. Dawson is working with Sony TV on a show entitled “Losin’ It” that is loosely based on his own experiences, and (per Deadline) revolves around a popular client with a weight loss center franchise who ends up getting more than they bargained for after becoming a consultant, and then a manager, in the span of a day. Dawson is a funny guy and has some interesting stories to tell, and he has some other great names involved here in “The Big C” creator Darlene Hunt and Will Gluck, who has been around great comedy longer than we can count (and is currently a part of the team on “The Michael J. Fox Show”). It’s certainly an original idea, but this one is still in the early stages and there is much still to do.
“Tales from the Darkside” – In what may be a sign that TV still has a craving for horror (shockingly), The CW is reportedly considering a revival of the horror anthology series. There is not too much here to say right now, save for that Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci of the hit “Sleepy Hollow” are involved, and would executive-producer along with the show’s original producing team of Mitch Galin, Heather Kadin, and Jerry Golod.
Do any of these prospective projects excite you? Be sure to share with your thoughts below.
Photo: CBS