NBC Launches “Comedy Playground Initiative” To Help With Their Comedy Lineup Michael Lee, April 9, 2014 After a string – a very long string to be exact – of failing sitcoms, NBC is looking for some new talent to revive their one great staple, and they are looking to you to create it. The crowd sourcing initiative is being called the NBC Comedy Playground Initiative is a national campaign designed to give aspiring comedy writers in the U.S. the chance to bring their concepts from pitch to air. Hit the jump to learn more.THR reports that NBC has recruited an all-star comedic line up of on screen and behind the camera talent. Stars like Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Robert Carlock, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling, Jason Katims, Josh Lieb, Eva Longoria, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Todd Milliner, Will Packer, Amy Poehler, Craig Robinson, Maya Rudolph, Mike Schur, Adam Scott and Mike Shoemaker will all help with selecting the two potential comedy pitches that could potentially become pilots.Beginning May 1, applicants need to do is go online, download and fill out the application, then submit two videos of each: one video of yourself and your previous work (5 – 10 minutes), and the other is a verbal pitch of the new comedy which may or may not become a hit (2 – 5 minutes).There will be 10 finalists, which will receive funding to produce pilots from NBC, chosen from the NBC Executive Board with the aforementioned comedy panel selecting two winners who will have their pitches turned into series orders which will be broadcast on NBC.“We are taking a bold, alternative approach in what we hope will uncover original comedy minds who are looking for a way to get into the television business,” said NBC Entertainment Jennifer Salke. “We love that an incredible A-list roster of producers, writers and performers have jumped in to help us find that untapped talent.” She added, “There are hilarious people making videos and programming on the Internet all day and night and it’s time to bring those people into network television.”Salke also emphasized the importance of the idea that they were not looking for funny videos but potential series concepts. Contests Viral Marketing Adam McKayAdam ScottAmy PoehlerAziz AnsariComedy Playground InitiativeCraig RobinsonEva LongoriaJason BatemanJason KatimsJosh LiebMaya RudolphMike SchurMike ShoemakerMindy KalingNBCUniversalRobert CarlockSean HayesSeth MeyersTodd MillinerWill Packer
As You Might Have Guessed, “The Five-Year Engagement” Has A Wedding Blog January 14, 2012It seems like only yesterday that we were talking about wedding blogs becoming the viral website of choice for television shows (in fact it was yesterday). Not to be upstaged, the romantic comedy film The Five-Year Engagement, starring Jason Segel and Emily Blunt have their own wedding blog. Get the… Read More
Video: “Godzilla” Director Teases ‘Very Big’ Plans For Comic-Con July 14, 2013We already know that Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla is set to have some presence at Comic-Con. The monster remake opens in May of next year, and the San Diego convention this week is the perfect time to promote it. There is an off-site building that is sure to… Read More
James Bond Teams Up With Operation Gratitude for “Skyfall” Home Release February 4, 2013The latest James Bond film, Skyfall, has its Blu-Ray and DVD release on February 12th, and commemorate the occasion, MGM and Fox have partnered with Operation Gratitude to bring the the film and care packages to our military troops. If you can’t make the Feburary 12th event in Van Nuys,… Read More