Comedy Central Taps Ben Stiller To Produce Scripted Comedy Shows

Comedy Central in 2015 will air a pair of scripted series from Ben Stiller’s production company Red Hour, the network said during its Television Critics Association Winter press tour.

The first series, Big Time In Hollywood, Fl., premieres March 25 and stars young filmmakers [Alex Anfanger and Lenny Jacobson] who are forced to live on their own while looking to create a successful film. The series, co-produced by Red Hour and Brillstein Partners, also stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Michael Madsen, Kathy Baker and Keith David, according to the network.

Another Period, which will premiere in summer 2015, follows the exploits of a well-to-do Newport R.I. family in 1902 and two sisters – played by Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome – who are only concerned about becoming famous, according to network officials.

Stiller, along with Jack Black, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Missi Pyle, will have guest starring roles in the series.  

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.