On the heels of his critically-acclaimed “‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,” filmmaker Eric Appel has been tapped as writer and director for a new Sony Pictures comedy.
This project has had an intriguing shelf life. It was originally developed as a script called “Oh Hell No,” set to star rapper Ice Cube and comedian Jack Black. In late 2021, Cube grabbed national headlines when he dropped out of the film weeks before shooting was set to commence in Hawaii. His exit was reportedly attributed to his refusal to receive a Covid-19 vaccine at the request of producers.
Black is still a producer on the revamped “Stepdude,” but does not currently have a deal to star. The premise of “Oh Hell No” saw two men close in age go to war after one develops a romantic relationship with the other’s mother. No updated plot was given for Appel’s pass, except...
This project has had an intriguing shelf life. It was originally developed as a script called “Oh Hell No,” set to star rapper Ice Cube and comedian Jack Black. In late 2021, Cube grabbed national headlines when he dropped out of the film weeks before shooting was set to commence in Hawaii. His exit was reportedly attributed to his refusal to receive a Covid-19 vaccine at the request of producers.
Black is still a producer on the revamped “Stepdude,” but does not currently have a deal to star. The premise of “Oh Hell No” saw two men close in age go to war after one develops a romantic relationship with the other’s mother. No updated plot was given for Appel’s pass, except...
- 11/11/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Following last week’s premiere of his quasi-biopic comedy Weird: The Al Yankovic Story on Roku, director Eric Appel has found his follow-up film. He is set to direct and write the comedy Stepdude for Sony Pictures, with Matt Tolmach producing along Jack Black and Roz Music.
The plot is being kept under wraps. Insiders say studio execs view this as having big potential at the theatrical level, with plans to fast-track it now that Appel is on board.
Appel most recently directed Daniel Radcliffe in Roku’s Weird: The Weird Al Yankovich feature, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews. Appel was the director on Quibi’s action-comedy series Die Hart, starring Kevin Hart and John Travolta.
On the TV side, he beat out a strong field to direct the pilot of the Lord Miller live action/animation hybrid Fox series Son of Zorn,...
The plot is being kept under wraps. Insiders say studio execs view this as having big potential at the theatrical level, with plans to fast-track it now that Appel is on board.
Appel most recently directed Daniel Radcliffe in Roku’s Weird: The Weird Al Yankovich feature, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to rave reviews. Appel was the director on Quibi’s action-comedy series Die Hart, starring Kevin Hart and John Travolta.
On the TV side, he beat out a strong field to direct the pilot of the Lord Miller live action/animation hybrid Fox series Son of Zorn,...
- 11/11/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Happy Endings star Adam Pally and Jon Gabrus, who starred in Netflix’s comedy feature Game Over, Man!, are hitting the road to the party.
The friends are fronting travel series 101 Places to Party Before You Die for truTV.
Based on the bestselling book 101 Places to Get F*cked Up Before You Die, the half-hour series will see the pair consume and devour local life in Maui, Moab, Miami, Puerto Rico, Portland, Richmond, Atlanta and Denver.
The eight-part series sees them get a wife-sanctioned three-day weekend escape to venture across the U.S. to different destinations, many off the beaten path, to experience everything they have to offer.
The series comes from Warner Bros Unscripted Television and is produced by Shed Media in association with Clone Wolf, High and Mighty Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment and Artists First.
Michael Rucker is showrunner and exec produces alongside Pally, Gabrus, Dan Peirson, Lisa Shannon,...
The friends are fronting travel series 101 Places to Party Before You Die for truTV.
Based on the bestselling book 101 Places to Get F*cked Up Before You Die, the half-hour series will see the pair consume and devour local life in Maui, Moab, Miami, Puerto Rico, Portland, Richmond, Atlanta and Denver.
The eight-part series sees them get a wife-sanctioned three-day weekend escape to venture across the U.S. to different destinations, many off the beaten path, to experience everything they have to offer.
The series comes from Warner Bros Unscripted Television and is produced by Shed Media in association with Clone Wolf, High and Mighty Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment and Artists First.
Michael Rucker is showrunner and exec produces alongside Pally, Gabrus, Dan Peirson, Lisa Shannon,...
- 2/14/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
“Impractical Jokers” will return on April 2 with a special “supersized” episode that will be simulcast for the first time on TBS and TNT in addition to TruTV. The roadblock will air on all three Turner channels right after coverage of the NCAA Men’s Final Four.
This reps the first new episode of “Impractical Jokers” since August, and the first since Joe Gatto announced his departure from the show and the Tenderloins troupe. Remaining stars Brian “Q” Quinn, James “Murr” Murray and Sal Vulcano are back, and the special will include comedian Eric André (“The Eric André Show”) as a guest.
The tenth season of “Impractical Jokers” is currently in production, and will return to TruTV this summer, featuring celebrity guests joining Quinn, Murray and Vulcano each week.
The “Impractical Jokers” news was announced Monday during the Television Critics Association’s virtual winter press tour. Also announced for TruTV, the...
This reps the first new episode of “Impractical Jokers” since August, and the first since Joe Gatto announced his departure from the show and the Tenderloins troupe. Remaining stars Brian “Q” Quinn, James “Murr” Murray and Sal Vulcano are back, and the special will include comedian Eric André (“The Eric André Show”) as a guest.
The tenth season of “Impractical Jokers” is currently in production, and will return to TruTV this summer, featuring celebrity guests joining Quinn, Murray and Vulcano each week.
The “Impractical Jokers” news was announced Monday during the Television Critics Association’s virtual winter press tour. Also announced for TruTV, the...
- 2/14/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Nick Callari has been promoted to Comedy Coordinator at Artists First.
Most recently, Callari assisted Artists First CEO and President Peter Principato. He joined the company in 2017 when he worked for Tucker Voorhees, who was named Partner of Artists First in August 2018.
Shortly after graduating from Drew University, New Jersey native Callari interned for Richard Arlook at The Arlook Group before beginning his career in the UTA mailroom. While at UTA he worked for Brian Nossokoff and Louise Ward in the feature talent department before working for writer, creator and showrunner Simon Rich.
Formerly known as Principato-Young Entertainment, the management and production company rebranded itself as Artists First in May 2018. Artists First has a client list that includes Jordan Peele, Will Arnett, John Travolta, Tiffany Haddish, Awkwafina, Kate McKinnon, Anthony Anderson, Ed Helms, Jon M. Chu, Judy Greer, Michael Showalter, and more.
Current Artists First productions include ABC’s...
Most recently, Callari assisted Artists First CEO and President Peter Principato. He joined the company in 2017 when he worked for Tucker Voorhees, who was named Partner of Artists First in August 2018.
Shortly after graduating from Drew University, New Jersey native Callari interned for Richard Arlook at The Arlook Group before beginning his career in the UTA mailroom. While at UTA he worked for Brian Nossokoff and Louise Ward in the feature talent department before working for writer, creator and showrunner Simon Rich.
Formerly known as Principato-Young Entertainment, the management and production company rebranded itself as Artists First in May 2018. Artists First has a client list that includes Jordan Peele, Will Arnett, John Travolta, Tiffany Haddish, Awkwafina, Kate McKinnon, Anthony Anderson, Ed Helms, Jon M. Chu, Judy Greer, Michael Showalter, and more.
Current Artists First productions include ABC’s...
- 9/24/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Pop has picked up a 10-episode second season of Hot Date, the original sketch comedy series from Electus’ Big Breakfast and executive producer Will Arnett’s Electric Avenue Productions, inspired by the popular CollegeHumor digital series. The renewal was announced Wednesday by Pop president Brad Schwartz at TCA.
Starring husband and wife comedy duo Emily Axford and Brian K. Murphy, Season 2 of Hot Date will be set in a new city, New Orleans, and focus on the many eccentricities “The Big Easy” has to offer – from gluttonous bourbon-induced debauchery, to haunted Airbnb’s and more – while remaining centered on relational comedy. “Emily” and “Murph” are also planning a wedding and must attempt to navigate the various stresses that come with taking their relationship to the next level.
Hot Date is produced by Big Breakfast, an Electus company, with Drew Buckley, Chris Grant, Luke Kelly-Clyne, Sam Reich, Spencer Griffin and Matthew Pollock serving as executive producers.
Starring husband and wife comedy duo Emily Axford and Brian K. Murphy, Season 2 of Hot Date will be set in a new city, New Orleans, and focus on the many eccentricities “The Big Easy” has to offer – from gluttonous bourbon-induced debauchery, to haunted Airbnb’s and more – while remaining centered on relational comedy. “Emily” and “Murph” are also planning a wedding and must attempt to navigate the various stresses that come with taking their relationship to the next level.
Hot Date is produced by Big Breakfast, an Electus company, with Drew Buckley, Chris Grant, Luke Kelly-Clyne, Sam Reich, Spencer Griffin and Matthew Pollock serving as executive producers.
- 1/31/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Management and production company Artists First has elevated Tucker Voorhees to partner. Voorhees, has been with the company, formerly Principato Young Entertainment, for over a decade.
Voorhees’ clients include actors, writers and directors including Matt Walsh (Veep), Rhys Darby (Wrecked), Jon Daly (I’m Dying Up Here), Johnny Pemberton (I Feel Bad), Jason Woliner (Eagleheart), Colton Dunn (Superstore), Streeter Seidel (Saturday Night Live) and Nelson Franklin (Veep). Previously, he produced MTV’s cult classic sketch show Human Giant and Spike TV’s Players. He currently executive produces PopTV’s Hot Date.
“Tucker embodies the culture of Artists First and is someone who cares deeply about the organization and we welcome him in helping us guide the company into our next evolution of growth,” said Artist First Partners, led by CEO and President Peter Principato, in a statement.
Artists First currently has 21 managers with offices in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.
Voorhees’ clients include actors, writers and directors including Matt Walsh (Veep), Rhys Darby (Wrecked), Jon Daly (I’m Dying Up Here), Johnny Pemberton (I Feel Bad), Jason Woliner (Eagleheart), Colton Dunn (Superstore), Streeter Seidel (Saturday Night Live) and Nelson Franklin (Veep). Previously, he produced MTV’s cult classic sketch show Human Giant and Spike TV’s Players. He currently executive produces PopTV’s Hot Date.
“Tucker embodies the culture of Artists First and is someone who cares deeply about the organization and we welcome him in helping us guide the company into our next evolution of growth,” said Artist First Partners, led by CEO and President Peter Principato, in a statement.
Artists First currently has 21 managers with offices in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.
- 8/20/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Though it started as a very insider thing, The Black List has recently become more popular and mainstream. For those who may not know, it's an annual list of the year's best unproduced screenplays as voted on by about 300 Hollywood development executives and high-level assistants. We recently posted the 2010 list [1] and looking back at some previous years (2007 [2], 2008 [3], 2009 [4]), films such as Recount, The Beaver and The Social Network all sat near the top of the list. Skim over any of them and you'll see names of films that are out, are coming out and more. It's a big deal. This year, a new Black List of sorts has come out. Dubbed Viewfinder, it's supposed to do for directors what The Black List did for screenwriters. Viewfinder is a compilation of "the top commercials, shorts and/or music videos of 2010." Several of the directors on the list already have deals or are in production on films.
- 12/17/2010
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
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