Jason Schwartzman is HBO’s newest leading man
Jason Schwartzman is officially coming to HBO. The actor will play the lead in Bored to Death, a new comedy from the cable network. Schwartzman has been cast as Jonathan, a struggling writer in this thirties who has a drinking problem. The series, which is set in Brooklyn, follows Jonathan’s post-breakup decision to pretend to be a private eye.
Although he’s not qualified for detective work, Jonathan loves the novels of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. He’ll luck out and solve a few cases, but his lack of experience will often make matters worse for his clients. Novelist Jonathan Ames wrote the pilot and will serve as the show’s executive producer.
I’m looking forward to watching the Bored to Death pilot now that Jason Schwartzman is on board. He hasn’t done a lot of work on television, but he’s had some memorable leading roles in movies like Rushmore and Shopgirl. As far as TV goes, Schwartzman did a guest spot on Freaks and Geeks and starred in the short-lived FOX series Cracked Up.
Can you picture Jason Schwartzman as a private eye?
Aziz Ansari Joins The Office Spin-Off
We don’t post a lot of TV news but we couldn’t let this kidney stone of bananas pass us by. Aziz Ansari of the Human Giant clan (and fellow reader) has joined NBC’s spin-off to The Office. Ansari is the first cast member to be announced for the top-secret comedy series. At this point it’s believed that the cast will consist of an all new line-up, though rumors persist about the involvement of Rashida Jones, who played Karen Filippelli, Jim’s ex-flame, on the original U.S. series. Yes, that’s the first “ex-flame” I’ve ever typed.
What’s more, the super-talented Paul Feig of Freaks and Geeks fame just boarded the show’s writing staff, which includes Dan Goor (Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show), Alan Yang (South Park), and Charlie Grandy (SNL, The Daily Show). Nice. Executive producers Michael Shur and Greg Daniels say they’re still deciding on a premise for the untitled show, set to premiere after next year’s Superbowl and thereafter in the timeslot preceding the ongoing trials of Jim, Pam and Michael. You could say we’re excited…in advance.
In other TV news, the new season of Weeds premieres this Monday on Showtime, while the hotly anticipated second season of Mad Men premieres July 27th on AMC.
via Variety /E!
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are writing a Simpsons episode
Every time I see Seth Rogen, and that is quite often lately, I’m taken back to my first introduction to his work with Freaks and Geeks. Did you ever think back then that he was going to be the huge breakout star from the show? Apparently he is, as everybody wants to work with the artist formerly known as Ken Miller.
Earlier this week our pals over at Cinematical reported that Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg now have a release date for their update of the cult classic Green Hornet. And now comes word that the pair, who previously worked together on Pineapple Express, Superbad, and Da Ali G Show, are writing an episode for The Simpsons. While talking with Collider, Rogen explains that after meeting James L. Brooks at a party he figured he had an in with The Simpsons. He was right, and after pitching 5 ideas for the show they got the gig. Animation schedules being what they are the episode won’t make it into the upcoming season, but it’s something to look forward to.
WWK Show: Forgetting Sarah Marshall's Jason Segel and Kristen Bell in Hawaii
Greetings, tubers! Today, a special treat for you: the all-Hawaii edition of theWatch with Kristin show. Yes, because I am such a giver, I trekked all the way down to the Aloha State to sip fruity drinks and bask in the sun with two of our favorite TV stars: Jason Segel and Kristen Bell. They're both dipping their toes into the major motion picture pond with Jason Segel's big-screen writing debut, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, which hits theaters next Friday. It's produced by some guy named Judd Apatow who might sound familiar?
Apatow and Segel first worked together on a little show called Freaks and Geeks, which also starred a certain former college dormmate of mine named Linda Cardellini (now ER's Sam) who may or may not have inspired part of Jason's break-up story in the flick. Small freaking world, right?
Anyway, aside from two good reasons why you should check out Sarah Marshall (Kristen and Jason!), you'll also get the word from Kristen on exactly what's happening with her contract on Heroes, and the prospects of her working again with Veronica Mars boss Rob Thomas. Click on the clip above for the goods!
P.S. Just to make sure it's not misconstrued, I should tell you that a bit of what Kristen Bell said about Lost was left on the cutting room floor (sorry, we only have five minutes!). She first set the record straight that the rumor of her turning down the role of Charlotte (now Rebecca Mader) was not true. Then when I told her she should just own it anyway, she then said the cute little thing about "only having so much time." The girl remains real—Miss Mars would be proud.