The cable network FX has issued a pilot order for The Comedians, a single-camera comedy starring Billy Crystal, who is also set to co-write and executive produce the project. Joining Crystal in the producing and writing duties are Burn Notice creator Matt Nix and Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Larry Charles, who will also be directing the pilot. The series follows a veteran comedian (Crystal) who is paired up with a young and edgy comedian to write for a late night comedy sketch show. It is based on a Swedish series from 2004 called Ulveson and Herngren. The show will be shot in a documentary style, a method familiar to Charles, who mastered the mockumentary with the HBO comedy Curb. The creative pedigree behind the show is certainly impressive and helps build anticipation for the project.
FX president John Landgraf states, “It is truly an honor to be in business with Billy Crystal and Larry Charles, two of the all-time greats in comedy. We have also wanted for some time to be in business with Matt Nix, who has done such an amazing job creating and running Burn Notice.” If the pilot gets a season order, it would mark Crystal’s return to television as a series regular since the 1980s. After recurring appearances on the show Soap, his own variety show, and, of course, his time on SNL, Crystal has primarily stuck to feature films.
