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TruTV unveiled plans for three new series and six new pilots, and said the network is reaching an intended younger audience in an announcement that precedes Turner Broadcasting’s upfront presentation on May 18.
TruTV rebranded in 2014 with a shift from reality shows to unscripted comedy targeting a millennial demographic. Between the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016, the network boasts an audience with a media age of 35—three years younger than the same time a year ago.
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“We have now turned a corner when it comes to premium content,” said truTV President Chris Linn in a statement. “The new truTV is built around compelling, creator-driven shows featuring clear points of view and unique takes on different topics and formats, all told through a strong comedic lens. Armed with this momentum and a fresh slate of programming from a diverse group of talent, we are building on a solid foundation and brand promise that is breaking through and clearly resonating with a growing audience of highly-coveted fans.”
The 2016-2017 slate of programming includes a new 10-episode series from comedian Jon Glaser called Jon Glaser Loves Gear, set to premiere in the fall; along with the show Greatest Ever and Lifescaping (working title).
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The network also greenlight two specials: The Problem with Apu, a feature-length documentary from comedian Hari Kondabolu and an Impractical Jokers live special.
On the development front, truTV ordered six new pilots, included scripted comedy series Small Victories (working title) about confronting everyday injustices written by and starring Melissa Hunter, and I’m Sorry (working title), about confronting one’s inner immaturity and neuroses written by and starring Andrea Savage.
In the works are also unscripted projects from Kondabolu, Kevin Pereira and Olivia Lee, all of which are also joining an untitled project for a comedic news show created by Jena Friedman.
TruTV also plans to continue its practice of offering 20 percent more content by further cutting commercials on the network’s 45 hours of original quarterly programming, beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.
The network’s social platforms are also growing, with its YouTube views doubling and engagement tripling compared to a year ago, executive said. March 2016 marked the best month ever for truTV’s total video views across all platforms, with more than 47.2 million video starts of original content.
“Chris and the entire truTV team have delivered on their promise to develop a fresh, comedic environment with passionate, socially-engaged fans,” said Donna Speciale, president of Turner Ad Sales. “As we build on that promise with enhanced storytelling and low clutter, the truTV environment has become an exclusive must-buy for advertisers.”
New Series and Specials
Greatest Ever
Premiering Tuesday, July 5
Hosted by comedian Amanda Seales, Greatest Ever is a fast-paced, informative and fun pop-culture comedy countdown show that takes viewers through the “do’s” and “don’ts” of topics such as weddings, animal videos, sports, politicians and awesomely, unintentionally funny inventions, infomercials and products. TruTV has ordered six half-hour episodes of Greatest Ever, produced by Meetinghouse Productions.
Impractical Jokers Live Event Special (working title)
Two-hour live special debuting fall 2016
Following in the high-wire footsteps of last year’s Impractical Jokers 100th Episode Live Punishment Special – which brought in more than 3.7 million viewers and 86 million combined social impressions – the series will once again embark on a massive live event special. The two-hour special will be produced by NorthSouth Productions.
Jon Glaser Loves Gear
Premiering fall 2016
This new hybrid comedy series features actor and comedian Jon Glaser (Trainwreck, Parks and Recreation, Girls) in a docu-series about his life revolving around one of his biggest passions… gear. However, his ever-growing gear obsession continually threatens to derail the show.
Lifescaping (working title)
Premiering summer 2016
Lifescaping is a guide to real-life skills you’re expected to know but no one ever taught you – such as how to get a bartender’s attention, the best ways to go on a road trip and determining when lying is the right thing to do. Hosts Matthew Latkiewicz and Abbi Crutchfield mix sketches, expert advice and on-the-street interviews in 13 half-hour episodes. Lifescaping is produced by Redtail Media.
The Problem with Apu (working title)
90-minute special premiering fall 2016
Comedian Hari Kondabolu, the creator and star of this feature-length documentary, confronts his long standing “nemesis” Apu Nahasapeemapetilon – better known as the Indian convenience store owner on The Simpsons. Through this comedic cultural exposé, Kondabolu questions how this controversial caricature was created, burrowed its way into the the hearts and minds of Americans and continues to exist – intact – 26 years later. The Problem with Apu is produced by Marobru, Inc. and Avalon Television.
Pilots and Projects in Development
I’m Sorry
Produced by The Lonely Island through their production company Kablamo! and Gloria Sanchez Productions
I’m Sorry is a scripted comedy written by and starring actor and comedian Andrea Savage about a seemingly confident, together comedy writer, wife and mom, who is forced to expose her inner immaturity and neuroses as life hands her situations for which no one could have prepared her.
Small Victories
Executive Produced by Melissa Hunter and Debbie Liebling
Written by and starring Melissa Hunter, Small Victories is a scripted comedy centering around Margot, a young upstart lawyer, who after a minor nervous breakdown in court, finds herself disbarred, living at home with her parents, working as a barista and going to a book club with her three remaining friends. As she navigates her new reality, she becomes keenly aware of life’s daily injustices and forms an amateur vigilante squad to take on everyday jackasses while simultaneously trying to get her life back on track.
Untitled Hari Kondabolu Pilot
Produced by Marobru, Inc. and Avalon Television
Comedian Hari Kondabolu uses his incisive and critical brand of comedy to skewer all things politics and pop culture in this weekly, satirical series. From Columbus Day to the death of high school reunions to the United States’ soon-to-be white minority, Kondabolu isn’t afraid to go there, and uses a variety of interview, sketch and displays of public activism to deliver hilarious and oftentimes biting social commentary.
Untitled Kevin Pereira Project
Produced by Super Creative Media
Host Kevin Pereira has a searing passion for games, gadgets and exploring every questionable corner of the internet. This new series will let viewers experience how amazing the future will be before it arrives, while celebrating the absurdity of everything that has led to right now.
Untitled Olivia Lee Project
Produced by Red Hour Films along with Asylum Entertainment
UK comedian Olivia Lee takes on a wide range of hilarious and larger than life characters in this half-hour hidden camera meets sketch series. Known for her brazen and funny stunts in real-life situations, she’s now taking America by storm and hooking unsuspecting people along the way.
Untitled Comedic News Show
In development; produced by Omelette Bar Productions along with True Entertainment
Comedian Jena Friedman and an ensemble cast of comedic performers will use this half-hour series to celebrate, send up, satirize and sift through politics, pop culture and all things new media.
Returning Series
Adam Ruins Everything
Returning Tuesday, August 23
Comedian Adam Conover continues his comically inventive yet unrelentingly serious quest to reveal the hidden truths behind everything you know and love. In this 14-episode backorder of the series’ first season, he takes on topics ranging from football and weddings to drugs and prison, laughing all the way to the top. Adam Ruins Everything is produced by Big Breakfast.
Comedy Knockout
Season two premieres summer 2016
Hosted by Damien Lemon, Comedy Knockout pits comedians against each other in a series of fast-paced challenges, with the audience having the power to vote on who’s the funniest. Comedy Knockout is produced by Embassy Row and will return to truTV this summer with 16 new half-hour episodes.
Fameless
Season two premieres summer 2016
Fameless is a genre-busting half-prank, half-sketch show from David Spade. Season two, produced by Electus and eOne, will premiere this summer.
Hack My Life
Season three premieres fall 2016
In Hack My Life, hosts Kevin Pereira and Brooke Van Poppelen demonstrate step-by-step how to incorporate eye-popping shortcuts and cheats guaranteed to save today’s busy adults a lot of time, effort and money. Produced by True Entertainment, the series has been ordered for a third season, with 12 half-hour episodes set to debut this fall.
Impractical Jokers
Season five mid-season premiere, launch of Inside Jokes Thursday, July 14
The fifth season of this truTV hit returns with a very special hour-long episode, Impractical Jokers: British Invasion, in which lifelong friends Joe, Q, Sal and Murr cross the pond and double-cross each other. The guys serve up pints of awkwardness and stick out like sore thumbs, and their hilarious excursion culminates in an unforgettable punishment in front of thousands of cheering fans.
Following the mid-season premiere on July 14 will be Impractical Jokers: Inside Jokes which packs classic, fan-favorite episodes of the show with sharable pop-up facts throughout. With behind-the-scenes stories and surprising factoids directly from the Jokers, this alternate version of existing content will give viewers a unique and unprecedented look behind the curtain. TruTV will air 12 half-hour episodes, which, along with the flagship series, are produced by NorthSouth Productions.
Rachel Dratch’s Late Night Snack
12 new half-hour episodes premiere fall 2016
TruTV’s weekly showcase of never-before-seen short-form comedy, Rachel Dratch’s Late Night Snack features a rotating lineup of original offerings from some of the biggest and best comedic creators in a variety of styles including character-driven shorts, animation, music videos and more. The series, presented by Dratch, will return with an additional 12 half-hour episodes debuting this fall.
Those Who Can’t
Season two premieres fall 2016
Denver-based comedy troupe The Grawlix (Adam Cayton-Holland, Andrew Orvedahl and Ben Roy) return as three trouble-making teachers who, joined by librarian Maria Thayer, are more inept than the kids they teach. Produced byThank You, Brain! Productions with showrunner Dean Lorey, Those Who Can’t will return for its second season in fall of 2016.
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