USA Network expands comedy slate, dives into reality

MUMBAI: US cable network USA Network from the NBCUniversal stable has announced a slate of comedies and dramas. It is also looking at the reality genre to boost its reach.

The new comedy slate feature comedic talent, including Kelsey Grammer, Mark Gordon, Denis Leary and Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun.

USA co-presidents Chris McCumber, Jeff Wachtel said, "The comedy genre has re-emerged as a top choice for television audiences, and we anticipate our latest projects coupled with ?Modern Family? will ignite excitement with our viewers. Our track record of provocative storytelling from marquee talent has made USA a top entertainment brand for consumers and a great investment for brands looking to reach them."

The Upcoming half hour comedy slate includes ?Regulars?. It is about a misfit group of customers and employees at a suburban New Jersey bar express their joys, sorrows and observations through karaoke.

Modern Family executive producer.Steven Levitan said, "USA is the perfect home for ?Modern Family.? We are proud to anchor USA?s next generation of comedies when we begin airing next year."

?The Dicicco Brothers? comes from comedy icon Kelsey Grammer ?Frasier? and writer Ed Cannistraci. This is the story of a promising dot-com entrepreneur who moves to the very politically correct culture of Silicon Valley with dreams of making it big. His dreams may unravel though when his colorful, blunt, and unrefined extended family arrives to "offer their support."

??Paging Dr. Freed? is a comedy about two gynecologist brothers who inherit their father?s thriving medical practice after he suffers a heart attack during an attempt at "playing" doctor with his young secretary. Along with taking over the family business, these brothers also must deal with something else their father left behind - their overbearing, neurotic mother. Trusted and beloved by their patients, these guys are professionals when it comes to women but only from the neck down.

?Sirens?, meanwhile, offers the comedic point of view of Denis Leary. His new comedy follows three of Chicago?s best EMTs whose sometimes self-loathing, other times narcissistic, and always downright self-destructive personalities make them unqualified for sustaining relationships, friendships and most occupations. They are, however, uniquely qualified for saving anyone unlucky enough to wind up in their ambulance.

On the drama side of things, ISA Network is encouraged by the success of ?Suits? and ?Necessary Roughness?. New shows announced include ?Political Animals?, the pilot ?Graceland? and the development of three dramas - Bang Bang, Rare, Mind Fields, Fallen, ?We Counted Your Knives? and the Untitled Dick Wolf Project.

"As USA moves into Upfront week, this new slate reaffirms the network?s position as a ?blue chip investment? to the advertising and creative community. These projects will continue to further the scope of our dramas with the collaboration and passionate input of Hollywood?s top talent," said McCumber and Wachtel

In ?Bang Bang? an unlikely partnership is formed when veteran hitman Danny is saved by rival novice hired gun Marco, while executing a target. This duo pair up to execute contracts, if they don?t kill each other first.

?Rare; is set in Tour which is a new restaurant in San Francisco. Part of its allure may be the chef, a mysterious ex-special forces captain who?s good with a knife both inside and outside the kitchen. Even if he tries to resist his old violent life, he will be unlikely to keep it entirely outside his new establishment.

In ?Fallen? after an accident, a cop -- known for his "act first, ask questions later" approach -- develops the rare condition of synesthesia and suddenly finds himself seeing "emotions." His partner doesn?t quite understand this "touchy-feely" approach to solving crimes, but there?s no doubt that this new insight is helping clear cases.

USA Network is also looking to extend its audience reach by diving into the reality genre with the pilot pick-up of ?Bride Or Best Man?. In addition, ?Romancing The Globe?, a new relationship series, is in development from executive producer Mark Burnett. The slate also includes two previously announced projects - the pilot for The Choir and the recently greenlit series ?The Moment?.

McCumber and Wachtel said, "As we move into the world of reality programming, we?re staying true to our brand DNA by focussing on real life characters that are every bit as fascinating, inspirational and entertaining as our scripted ones. These unscripted series let us welcome characters of all types, which will continue to broaden our appeal to audiences."

?Bride Or Best Man? is being pushed as a "bromantic comedy" with a twist; this series highlights a trip down the aisle that goes completely wrong when the Groom and his Best Man are left in charge of planning the ?big day.?

?The Choir? follows accomplished UK choirmaster Gareth Malone as he embraces various American communities and assembles a choir made up of the most unexpected mix of individuals. Malone believes in the transformative power of music and uses choirs as a way to bring people together, raise morale, and restore a sense of pride in community.

The journey is both comedic and emotional with each episode culminating in an orchestrated choir performance. Malone began his career leading choirs for the London Symphony Orchestra and since then, has gone on to win an International Emmy and numerous BAFTAs as well as recently having an album top the UK pop charts.