Want to Write Your Own Sitcom? You Can For FX!

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Want to Write Your Own Sitcom? You Can For FX!

Think you can write a better sitcom than FX’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia? You have your chance says Multichannel News.
In collaboration with social Web site Myspace.com, FX is proffering $50,000 and a future slot on its schedule to the user who posts the best idea for an original series, according to president of entertainment John Landgraf, who touts the sitcom contest in a comedic promo currently airing on the service.
FX joins cable outlets like Food Network and Travel Channel, which are affording viewers a voice in shaping on-air content. FX executive vice president of marketing Stephanie Gibbons said the move is also a nod to the popularity of viewer-generated content on Web sites like myspace.com, which like FX is owned by News Corp., and youtube.com.
The winning pilot will air during the final episode of the sophomore series It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, whose producer, Rob McElhenny, made his show’s pilot for $200.
After narrowing down the field, the network, which is running the promotion through June 19, will air the top five user-generated clips between breaks during Sunny’s second-season premiere on June 29. The following week, FX will choose the winner. Pilot segments are slated to air during Sunny’s season finale.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Sunday, April 19

Krapopolis - "Advanced Family Portraiture" (Fox, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Deliria can't get her family to sit still for just one nice picture.

Universal Basic Guys - "Down the Shore" (Fox, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Hoagies go down the shore; Tammy tries to make amends with her estranged sister.

American Dad! - "Aw Rats, A Pool Party" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Smiths throw a pool party attended by Francine's sister and Steve's ex when a dead rat is found in the pool.

Family Guy - "The Edible Arrangement" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Lois and Stewie finally understand each other -- thanks to Brian's edibles -- and explore and try to explain their complicated relationship.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of April 13)

Friday, April 17

Minnie Driver (Emily in Paris/Speechless/About a Boy) - Watch Minnie on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Dustin Ybarra (Ghosts/Us & Them) - Dustin is a guest on a repeat of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen at 12:37am on CBS.
Jim Parsons (Young Sheldon/The Big Bang Theory) - Jim talks about Broadway's Titaníque with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
John Lithgow (Trial & Error/Twenty Good Years/3rd Rock from the Sun) - NBC's Today catches up with John in the 9am hour.
Lena Dunahm (Girls) - Lena joins Drew to talk about her new memoir Famesick on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.