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
Interview: James Erwin talks “Rome Sweet Rome”, Reddit, And Jeopardy November 4, 2011A little over a week ago, I debuted an article about how one man’s response to a question on Reddit landed him a Hollywood agent and a Warner Bros. movie deal. At the time, we had little detail on what actually went into the process, but that’s all changed, as… Read More
Viral Video: Dancing Groot Scene From “Guardians Of The Galaxy” August 14, 2014August 14, 2014We are already nearing two weeks since the release of Guardians of the Galaxy, and true Marvel fans – all of whom should have told everyone not to leave the theater until the end of the credits by now – might have seen those hilarious extra credit scenes by now…. Read More
Viral Recap and Review: Apollo 18 September 6, 2011On Saturday I gave you my impression of the film itself, but now it’s time to talk about the viral campaign for the found footage sci-fi thriller Apollo 18. Could it be more interesting than the film itself? Reminisce with me after the break (warning: some spoilers). Read More