New Political Series from Arrested Development's Creator

[Shifty]

TV project in the works from Arrested's MItchell Hurtwitz.
by Eric Goldman

October 27, 2006 - Though Arrested Development's fans still mourn the loss of the wonderful series, word has come that Arrested's creator Mitchell Hurwitz has begun developing his follow up project. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hurwitz and former Arrested writer Richard Day have signed with Sony to begin work on a US version of The Thick of It, an adaptation of a well-received British comedy series.

The original version was about a continually harassed member of Parliament, who had to deal with inept bureaucrats under the thumb of a number of politicians and civil servants, including the prime minister. The series won the British Comedy Award for best comedy.

Sony is currently shopping the potential series to networks, while Day begins writing the pilot script. Day and Hurwitz will both serve as executive producers.

Wikipedia: The Thick of It

The Thick of It is a British comedy television series, which satirises the inner workings of modern British government. It was broadcast on BBC Four in 2005, and has so far completed two series of three half-hour episodes each. To date, the series has earned Best New Comedy and Best Comedy Performer for Chris Langham at the 2005 British Comedy Awards, and won Best Situation Comedy and Best Comedy Performance, also for Langham, at the 2006 BAFTAs.

Written and directed by Armando Iannucci, it stars Chris Langham and Peter Capaldi. The action centres on the fictitious Department of Social Affairs. Hugh Abbot (Langham) is a blundering minister heading the department, who is continually trying to do his job under the watchful eye of Malcolm Tucker (Capaldi), Number 10's highly aggressive and domineering "enforcer". The programme also features James Smith as Senior Special Advisor Glenn Cullen, Chris Addison as Junior Policy Advisor Oliver "Ollie" Reeder, and Joanna Scanlan as Civil Service Press Secretary Terri Coverley.

The Thick of It can be described as the 21st century's answer to Yes Minister, highlighting the struggles of the media and spin doctors against civil servants. Iannucci himself describes it as "Yes Minister meets Larry Sanders". The former civil servant Martin Sixsmith is an advisor to the writing team, giving some of the storylines an element of realism to them; in particular, the character of Malcolm Tucker bears a distinct resemblance to Alastair Campbell.

The programme is filmed with hand-held cameras to give it a mockumentary look and feel, and has no laugh track. Some of the dialogue was improvised rather than scripted, and includes some very strong language.

The first episode screened on BBC Four on May 19, 2005. A second series of three episodes was transmitted from October 20 until November 3, 2005. The six episodes were repeated on BBC Two in early 2006, and later on BBC America. A further ten episodes are planned for 2007, as well as an hour-long Christmas special in late 2006. However, Chris Langham will not be reprising his role as Hugh Abbot, due to his recent legal troubles. To fill this void, Iannucci plans to introduce new characters into the next series, focusing on the opposition.

On October 27, 2006, it was announced that The Thick of It would be adapted for American television, with Arrested Development creator Mitch Hurwitz executive producing, along with Armando Iannucci and Richard Day.

Haven't seen or heard of the BBC show but the people at The Office have done a better than expected job of adapting, so this seems like it could be done if it has Arrested writers and the creator of the British show involved. Even is Mitch wasn't involved I would be interested in this series.

Who knows where this could end up. Showtime would only buy Arrested if Mitch was involved so they're big fans. ABC was also interested in picking up Arrested; it does need a comedy (not a CINO like Desperate Housewives) that doesn't have a laugh track. Then there is Fox which did keep the show on for 53 episodes compared to other shows that were yanked after very few. But they couldn't market the show and their second timeslot change pretty much killed the show.

If Studio 60 was the hyped up show this year, this could get the most hype from the critics and bloggers next year. But its up the mass audience, but for those who think the system of governement is broken this could be your show.

 

[Not Jake]

Be there or be an L-7 weenie

 

[Shifty]

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+thick+of+it&search=Search

Watched the first episode on You Tube. Pretty funny, something fans of The Office (BBC or NBC) would enjoy.

 

[블라스]

I'll watch this

 

[Shifty]

Arrested' Crew in 'The Thick of It' at ABC
Hurwitz will exec produce pilot based on BBC show

November 15, 2006
LOS ANGELES -- Some of the folks behind FOX's late, lamented "Arrested Development" are getting back into the "The Thick of It."

Richard Day, a writer and producer on "Arrested," and series creator Mitch Hurwitz are collaborating on an adaptation of the BBC 4 series "The Thick of It" for ABC. The network has given a pilot order to the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The original series, which won two BAFTA Awards (the British version of the Emmys) earlier this year, including best comedy, focused on a harried British government minister and the inept staff members and bureaucrats he dealt with on a daily basis (it aired on BBC America in this country). ABC's version will transplant the action to Congress.

Day, who will write the pilot script, has five Emmy nominations, including writing nods for "The Larry Sanders Show" and last season's "Arrested Development" finale. He's also shared in outstanding comedy series nominations for both those shows, as well as "Mad About You" in 1997. His credits also include writing and producing stints on "Ellen," "Spin City" and "Good Morning, Miami."

Hurwitz will executive produce the project, along with Day, Paul Telegdy and Armando Iannucci, who created the British series. Sony Pictures TV and BBC Worldwide are producing the pilot.

I haven't watched a show on ABC in ages.