Steve Carell may no longer be the boss on The Office, but that doesn't mean that this is the last of him that we will see on TV. At Showtime's panel at the summer TCA tour it was announced that Laughing Stock, a Steve Carell comedy series has been picked up.
Don't worry though, Carell hasn't left one sitcom to join another as Laughing Stock is a show that Carell is producing that takes a look at comedic talent through one-on-one interviews. Showtime entertainment president David Nevins explained that the series will look at the "best comedic minds of the last five decades" through these interviews. Laughing Stock will be hosted by David Steinberg who is also doubling his role as an executive producer. Steve Carell added in a statement about the premise of the show that:
"We have gathered a monumental assortment of comedic legends, and their contemporary protégées. "It's enlightening, fascinating, but more importantly, it's funny."
What Laughing Stock is aiming to do is look at what Nevins calls the "comedy tree of the last five decades.” By revealing the influences of these current comic minds they will show connections between past and present and what has led these people to where they are now.
The featured talent is a mixture of stand-up comics and TV/film based ones and will include; Jerry Seinfeld, Tina Fey, Larry David, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Rock, Judd Apatow, Jane Lynch and Sarah Silverman. Steve Carell will also appear on one episode. This list is varied from the style and role of each person and includes a balanced selection in regards to both gender and age which should make for a mixture of influences.
The 10 half-hour episodes of Laughing Stock will air on Showtime early next year.
Are there any other comedic talents that you would like to see feature on this show?
Louis CK should be on there.