FX Greenlights `Pariah’ Pilot

FX Networks has ordered a comedy pilot, Pariah, FX officials said Wednesday.

The series, which stars Bill Burr as a former TV personality exiled from show business and forced to survive without any real world skills, according to network executives. John and Dave Chernin (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) will write the pilot episode, which will be directed by Rob McElhenney.

Burr, the Chernins, Dave Becky, Michael Rotenberg and Nick Frenkel of 3 Arts Entertainment will serve as executive producers.

 “Bill Burr is a great comedic talent,” said Nick Grad, president of Original Programming in a statement. “Teaming Bill with Rob, Charlie and Glenn, along with John and Dave is a perfect recipe for a terrific comedy Pilot.”

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.