Jonathan Ames Recruits Wanda Sykes and Hamish Linklater for TBS’ ‘World’s End’
Hamish Linklater (“The Big Short”) and comedian Wanda Sykes will topline TBS‘ dark comedy “World’s End,” from “Bored to Death” scribe Jonathan Ames.
TBS has ordered a pilot for “World’s End.” The news was announced Sunday at TBS’ portion of the Television Critics Association press tour where it also revealed a series order for a new comedy created by “My Name Is Earl’s” Greg Garcia, and the primetime animation series “Tarantula,” executive produced by Danny McBride and Jody Hill.
“World’s End” stars Linklater as an English teacher who is committed to a mental facility. But after Sykes’ charater makes him feel sane again, he leads an inmate revolt.
READ MORE: Notorious B.I.G. Series Based On The Rapper’s Lyrics In The Works At TBS
“World’s End” is based on a format from Sagafilm. Ames will write, while Alan Poul (“The Newsroom”) will direct the pilot. Ames and Poul are executive producers with Ben Silverman, Stephanie Davis and Sean Canino. Electus and Studio T, Turner’s in-house production company, are behind the show.
Garcia’s 10-episode series, “The Guest Book,” is inspired by something he’s done in real life for years: Writing fictitous stories in rental cabin guest books in order to freak out the next renters. His TBS show will be an anthology series, centering on the visitors at a small-town vacation home.
On “The Guest Book,” the town characters will remain the same, but each episode will feature different guests in the house. The show, from CBS TV Studios and Studio T, will launch in 2017.
READ MORE: Watch: Alia Shawkat and Wyatt Cenac Search for Answers in Two New TBS Comedies
Then there’s the animated half-hour “Tarantula,” about the residents of the Tierra Chula Resident Hotel (aka “The Tarantula”). Carson Mell (“Silicon Valley”) created the series, which centers on Echo Johnson, “a respected but uncertified tattoo artist who delivers absurd yet introspective monologues.”
Danny McBride, Jody Hill, David Gordon Green and Brandon James are executive producers on the show, which currently has an “open-ended run” and will premiere in 2017.
Separately, TBS has revealed a unique launch pattern for its new comedy “Search Party.” The show’s entire 10-episode run will be made available on demand for binge watching starting Nov. 21. On TBS air, the show’s full first season will air nightly at 11 p.m. ET the week of the Thanksgiving holiday (Nov. 21-25), with two episodes each night. The network will repeat the week-long marathon during Christmas and New Years.
Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our email newsletters here.
