Actor and comedian Martin Lawrence is set to executive produce the stand-up comedy series Martin Lawrence's 1st Amendment Stand-Up, as part of the first slate of original TV series for the company.
Also beginning production for Starz Entertainment channels are the provocative interview show The Bronx Bunny, and the original comedy series Head Case.
Martin Lawrence's 1st Amendment Stand-Up is an uncensored showcase for some of the freshest young comedians. Airing on Starz, beginning in the first quarter of 2007, the show will be co-produced and hosted by stand-up Doug Williams. It is co-produced and directed by Michael Bohusz with Mojo Raid LLC.
"It is a dream come true for me to collaborate with Martin Lawrence, a legendary comedian whose talent I've greatly admired," says Williams. "I'm honored to be able to join forces with Starz and Martin as we prepare to make history with the new generation of comedians."
Martin Lawrence's 1st Amendment Stand-Up typifies Starz Entertainment's new approach. Lawrence, star of such smash hits as both "Bad Boys" and "Big Momma's House" movies and the long-running Fox television sitcom series "Martin," adds his star power and irreverent, unpredictable approach to humor, to the weekly series that will feature a line-up of some of the hottest up-and-coming comedians.
"This is an exciting time for Starz Entertainment to announce the production of our first of three original series," says Stephan Shelanski, senior vice president, programming. "Our goal with originals is to compliment our movie strategy and to expand our programming offerings on all our platforms. We plan to create unique and unconventional shows to achieve this goal."
Specifically, Shelanski noted, Starz Entertainment will create programs the company will own and can expand in such markets as DVD, VOD, Electronic Sell-Through and international distribution.
Uniting all of the original productions is a unique view into the entertainment process. Starz Entertainment's 16 channels, along with Starz on Demand and Vongo, offer audiences the best recent and classic movies, combined with originals that show entertainers at work, off-stage and in-depth.
"The Bronx Bunny," which was a huge hit in the UK, stars two foul-mouthed puppets -- the star-struck title character and his cranky sidekick Teddy T, the politically incorrect panda. The duo invite celebrity guests into their run down TV studio where they run a low-rent talk show asking questions you don't hear on typical interview shows. Guests have included Jessica Alba, William Shatner, Hugh Hefner, John C. McGinley and many others. Already booked for the U.S. version are Howie Mandel, Nick Cannon and Joely Fisher. The show is executive produced by Chuck LaBella, Ronan McCabe and Gregg Champion. Says LaBella, "We are all very excited we have found the perfect home for Bronx Bunny and Teddy T. Starz has provided a place for us to be edgy and faithful to the characters."
Need to get your head on straight? Meet therapist Dr. Elizabeth Goode (Alexandra Wentworth, "In Living Color"), centerpiece of Head Case. Judgmental? Yes. Unconventional? Absolutely, but undeniably thriving as the "it therapist" to Hollywood's celebrity elite. Dr. Goode's days are filled with a who's who from the world of entertainment, sports and music. Head Case is a scripted original comedy series that is a co-production between Starz Entertainment and UNCLE (a Santa Monica-based production company). Executive produced by UNCLE partners Jason Farrand, Robert Bauer, Eric Bonniot, and series star and co-creator Alexandra Wentworth. The show debuts early next year on Starz. Says Wentworth, "The whole group at Starz really stands behind the gospel that to have sustainable, interesting shows, you have to honor and support the creative. They do so in every sense of the word ... besides, they offered me the use of Mr. Malone's private jet ... how could I say no?"
