The writing had been on the wall for a while, and Spike executives began quietly telling agents over the past couple of weeks that the network is getting out of the scripted business, at least for the time being. One of the network’s 2 scripted executives, Laurence Sullivan, has already departed to join Conan O’Brien’s production company Conaco. The last time Spike announced a scripted development slate was last October. Of the 7 projects on it, one, the Walt Becket-produced and Andy Tenant-directed Thunderballs, went to pilot but hasn’t been picked up to series. Spike also passed on its 2 pilots ordered last year, Back Nine and Playing With Guns. (Playing With Guns was later redeveloped by Comedy Central). Spike’s only remaining scripted executive, Dustin Davis, will continue to oversee existing development, including a script the network bought last month about an NYPD bomb squad, as well...
- 8/29/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: I hear Spike TV is finalizing a deal for a pilot order to an untitled comedy from writers and executive producers Jim & Steve Armogida (Grounded For Life) and executive producer Walt Becker (Wild Hogs). Jay Hayden, Steve Monroe and Ethan Embry have been cast as the leads in the pilot, which will be directed by Hitch helmer Andy Tenant. The project, aka Thunderballs, was one of six comedies on Spike's development slate announced in October. Developed by the Armogidas at the Walt Becker Co., it follows three life-long friends (Hayden, Monroe, Embry) who comprise a beer-league bowling team called the Thunderballs. The show chronicles their efforts to balance their battle for supremacy at the lanes with their crazy personal and family lives. Production on the pilot is expected to begin May 7 in Spokane, Wash. Hayden is with Venture Iab and Precision.
- 4/20/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
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