Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Jun 21, 2016 12:08:55 GMT -6
variety.com/2016/tv/news/upright-citizens-brigade-signs-deal-universal-cable-productions-1201800342/
Upright Citizens Brigade Signs Deal With Universal Cable Productions
Universal Cable Productions has signed the Upright Citizens Brigade to a first-look production deal. The agreement is the first such for the comedy troupe founded by in 1990 by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh. Universal Cable Productions will assist UCB in developing scripted programming for NBCUniversal’s cable networks as well as other outlets.
“UCB is comprised of a group of amazingly talented people who are fearless when it comes to taking comedic risks,” said Dawn Olmstead, executive vice president, development at Universal Cable Productions. “This partnership is a perfect fit for the studio because it allows us to incubate fresh ideas and make our mark in the comedy space by tapping into UCB’s unique point of view. We’re thrilled to be working with them.”
“This collaboration with Universal Cable Productions provides us with the resources to execute ideas and cultivate new audiences across platforms,” said Lisa Ullmann, head of television development, Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. “The breadth and caliber of UCB talent is remarkable and with five theaters across two coasts, there’s no shortage of content to mine.”
Universal Cable Productions has two current series it produces with UCB alums — Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham’s “Playing House” on USA and Poehler’s “Difficult People” on Hulu.
Among the UCB projects currently in development are “We Can Fix You” from exec producers Besser, Owen Burke, Poehler, Roberts, Walsh and Aliyah Silverstein; “House of Delta” from Laura Grey and Megan Stein; “Sing” from Jeff Hiller and Pam Murphy; and “The Peligroso Project” from Horatio Sanz and Tom Gianas.