CBS Greenlights Pilot From Louis CK and One of the ‘Seinfeld’ Writers…

I’m going to level with you, I haven’t turned my television on in over a year. This means I’m a little out of touch with the state of television these days, but from what I can gather on their website, CBS is now entirely made up of identical cop dramas and formulaic sitcoms. Also whatever the hell this is.

A Pitbull song in the trailer is TV Short-hand for “This is our Jersey Shore”

It’s not the most refined place for quality programming is what I’m saying. So it may come as a surprise to you to know that CBS just approved a pilot from Louis C.K. and Spike Feresten, two writers from critically acclaimed shows (‘Louie’ and ‘Seinfeld’, respectively). Deadline‘s report included a general idea of what the show will be:

CBS’s [sic] has greenlighted to pilot an untitled multi-camera comedy written by Louis CK and Spike Feresten, about an ensemble of young people trying to achieve their creative dreams in these tough financial times.

The show was actually pitched 13 years ago by the two comedy writers under the name Boomtown. At the time, it would have starred Louis C.K. and centred around him and his friends. However C.K. and Feresten have rewritten the script, likely with Louis C.K. out of the lead role, and the new show will finally get a chance.

How directly Louis C.K. will be involved in this new show remains to be seen, which is the main point of interest for me. He is currently enjoying the success of his latest stand-up special, Live at the Beacon Theatre, though he won’t be taking time to rest; Louis has been breaking the comedy mold in the past few years by throwing away all his material each year and starting again from scratch. On top of that he also serves as star, producer, director, editor and sole writer of the hit FX show Louie. I imagine this leaves little time to nurture a brand new show, but there’s nothing I’d rather see on TV than more Louis C.K.

Ridley Scott to Direct Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Counselor’

In a story that brings together two auteurs lauded in their respective fields, Entertainment Weekly reports Ridley Scott has signed on to direct Cormac McCarthy’s first ever screenplay, The Counselor. The Gladiator director plans to start production in May, making it his next project after the much-anticipated Prometheus. That would, as expected, push Scott’s secretive Blade Runner picture further down the production line, but it’s something I can personally make exception for, since this is a collaboration I’d never have imagined possible. EW also stated that Scott is hoping to bring along Prometheus star Michael Fassbender to The Counselor, who would star in the lead role.

McCarthy’s screenplay has been described by insiders as “No Country For Old Men on steroids,” according to Deadline, a bold statement considering the effect the Oscar-winning No Country had on audiences. We’ve reported on The Counselor before, but in case you need a refresher here’s a synopsis of the story from Deadline:

“The protagonist in The Counselor is a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip a toe in to the drug business without getting sucked down. It is a bad decision and he tries his best to survive it and get out of a desperate situation.”

I’m ecstatic to hear this news and I’ll be keeping up on all the newest updates.