COMEDY CENTRAL(R) Greenlights 'Workaholics' From Avalon Television and Gigapix Studios

NEW YORK, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Graduating from college and entering the real world isn't easy, especially for these three unmotivated roommates!  COMEDY CENTRAL greenlights "Workaholics" from Avalon Television, Inc. and Gigapix Studios, it was announced today by Kent Alterman, head of original programming and production, COMEDY CENTRAL.  The 10-episode half-hour weekly scripted series set to premiere this summer stars Mail Order Comedy's Blake Anderson, Anders Holm, Adam Devine and several episodes will be directed by Kyle Newacheck.  Kevin Etten ("Scrubs") has signed on as showrunner and executive producer.  

"This pilot was one of the great surprises waiting for me when I arrived here," said Alterman. "These guys have a unique comedic sensibility that they've applied to a very relatable experience – that delicate time between college and becoming a responsible adult.  For me, that period lasted for decades."

"Things have been happening very quickly and we've finally upgraded our underwear to breathable mesh," said Anderson, Holm, Devine and Newacheck.  "We've got a daunting task ahead of us, but we've got a leg up with our built-in Web audience of 35 people - Shout out to BashirH, Eqseep and AwesomeCoolGuy2."

"I'm delighted to be working with COMEDY CENTRAL on this new show," said Jon Thoday, executive producer for Avalon Television and joint CEO of the Avalon Group.  "The comedians involved with this project are incredibly funny and form a very exciting team."

"The way this show evolved from a 5th Year and Mail Order Comedy Webisode concept into a COMEDY CENTRAL series is an example of how creative talent can use these two complimentary media platforms," said David Pritchard of Gigapix Studios.  "COMEDY CENTRAL is the best channel in the US at cross pollinating across digital and cable TV platforms and we look forward to bringing 'Workaholics' to all these audiences."

"Workaholics" is a scripted series that follows three friends fresh out of college who live and work together as telemarketers.  Dress codes, deadlines and waking up before noon isn't something these guys are used to.  The crew spends their days scheming together to avoid doing any real work and their nights looking for good times.  The series is executive produced by Mail Order Comedy, 5th Year's Dominic Russo and Connor Pritchard, Etten, Avalon Television's David Martin, Thoday and Richard Allen-Turner as well as Gigapix Studios Pritchard.  Newacheck will also direct some of the episodes.  Seth Cohen and Walter Newman are the executives in charge of production for COMEDY CENTRAL.

Mail Order Comedy is represented by Isaac Horne of Avalon Management. Both Avalon Television and Mail Order Comedy are clients of UTA.

Avalon Television is a part of the Avalon Entertainment Group, with production operations in London and Los Angeles specializing in primetime entertainment programming.  Recent shows include: four-time BAFTA Award-winning, "Harry Hill's TV Burp" (ITV1) which is currently attracting British television audiences of 12 million; "John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show" (COMEDY CENTRAL); British Comedy Award-winning, "Al Murray's Happy Hour," Royal Television Society Award-winning and Rose d'Or Award-winning, "Not Going Out" (BBC ONE); "Russell Howard's Good News," BBC Three's highest-ever rating entertainment show which has recently been recommissioned for a further two series; Garth Marenghi's "Darkplace" (Channel 4, Adult Swim and Sci Fi); "Opinionated," a brand new series for BBC Two where three comedians discuss the week's events; double Rose d'Or Award-winning "Kombat Opera Presents…" (BBC TWO); and Austin Film Festival Award-winner and the Broadcast Award nominee, "Dave Gorman in America Unchained" (Channel 4).  Avalon's internet address is www.avalonuk.com.

Gigapix Studios is a new independent production and distribution company in Los Angeles headed by David Pritchard ("The Simpsons," "King of the Hill," "Family Guy" and "Dr Katz Professional Therapist").  Gigapix's first feature film, "Captain Abu Raed," won the Sundance Audience Award in 2008.  The company has theatrical film distribution agreements with Anchor Bay/Starz and Essential Entertainment.  The company recently signed a distribution agreement with the UK's Target Entertainment on its award winning docu-series that had its debut on HDNet.  Gigapix's TV Division is headed by Cal Boyington, who is co ex-producer on "Workaholics." (www.gigapixstudios.com)

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 98 million homes nationwide.  COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks.  COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com.  For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press Web site at www.comedycentral.com/press.

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products.  The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 400 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., TeenNick, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, SPIKE, TV Land, Atom, GameTrailers and Xfire.

SOURCE COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications