TCA16: TBS Greenlights ‘The Guest Book’ Comedy series; ‘Tarantula’ Animated Show

TBS has greenlit a new comedy series The Guest Book as well as a new animated show Tarantula, the network said Sunday at the Television Critics Association summer tour session.

The Guest Book, created by Greg Garcia (My Name Is Earl), is an anthology series that centers on a small town vacation home and its visitors, said network officials.

The animated Tarantula, from creator Carson Mell (Silicon Valley) and Rough House Pictures, follows a respected but uncertified tattoo artist who delivers absurd yet introspective monologues, said the network.

In addition, TBS also announced a pilot order for a comedy show World's End, starring Hamish Linklater and Wanda Sykes, and executive produced by Ben Silverman. The pilot follows a charismatic high school English teacher who has a breakdown and is committed to a mental institution, but ends up spearheading an inmate revolt. 

TBS on Oct. 31 will debut new comedy series People of Earth, starring Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show).

"Our new projects, from some of the best creators and producers in the industry, will fit perfectly with the new direction we've been taking the TBS brand," said Brett Weitz, executive vice president of programming for TBS. "Each show brings something fresh and unique to the comedy genre, from the unforgettable characters that Greg has created in The Guest Book to the wild, animated absurdities of Carson’s Tarantula. We also can't wait to see how the envelope-pushing audacity of our World's End pilot plays out on screen."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.