BBC WORLDWIDE PRODUCTIONS AND MY DAMN CHANNEL ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP FOR COMEDY SERIES, GIGI: ALMOST AMERICAN
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Project Starring Book of Mormon and Love and Other Drugs Actor Josh Gad is BBC Worldwide Productions’ First Original Digital Series
LOS ANGELES, CA, January 26, 2011 – BBC Worldwide Productions, My Damn Channel (www.MyDamnChannel.com/SizzleReel) and the comedy troupe, The Lost Nomads, announced today a deal to co-produce and distribute Gigi: Almost American, a new series created by and starring Josh Gad.
The 10-episode series will feature the adventures of Gigi, a loveable foreigner new to the U.S. with dreams of becoming an “average American.” Blending physical comedy, irreverent humor and absurd situations, Gigi will let nothing – not his lack of street smarts, fashion sense, or mastery of English – stand in the way of his American dream.
“I am ecstatic,” said Josh Gad. “We’ve been developing Gigi with BBC Worldwide Productions for the past year and it is truly a passion project for me and the Nomads. My Damn Channel's commitment to top quality comedy programming made it the ideal place to showcase the series and we’re thrilled to have found the perfect home for it.”
Gad’s recent acting credits include Love and Other Drugs, 21 and Back to You, as well as his recurring role as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Also a theater actor, Gad has appeared in the Tony Award-winning The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and will be starring in the new Broadway musical by South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, The Book of Mormon, opening this March. Along with Gad, The Lost Nomads feature Tyler Clancy, Ida Darvish, Kevin Larsen, and Tyler Moore.
“We are proud to debut Gigi as the first original digital series from BBC Worldwide Productions,” said Jane Tranter, Executive Vice President and Head of BBC Worldwide Productions. “Josh Gad is a tremendous talent and his comedic gifts, along with those of his fellow Lost Nomads troupe members, make Gigi an inspired and innovative series, in line with the quality programming viewers expect from the BBC.”
“Award-winning comedy by top talent is the driving force behind My Damn Channel. We know Josh Gad and Gigi will win big,” said My Damn Channel Founder/CEO Rob Barnett.
About BBC Worldwide Productions:
BBC Worldwide is the main commercial arm and wholly-owned subsidiary of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). In the U.S. , BBC Worldwide Productions, one of BBC Worldwide’s seven core businesses, is based in Los Angeles and develops scripted and non-scripted projects for U.S. cable and broadcast networks, as well as digital platforms. The studio is responsible for the smash hit Dancing with the Stars (ABC), Top Gear (HISTORY), What Not to Wear (TLC) and Torchwood: Miracle Day (Starz).
About My Damn Channel
My Damn Channel is a leading entertainment studio and distributor of premium videos by top talent. My Damn Channel empowers filmmakers, comedians, actors, musicians, broadcasters and brands to co-produce, distribute and monetize original video on the My Damn Channel website and in syndication on all digital platforms. The company has launched some of the most successful, original comedy series including Wainy Days, Easy to Assemble, Horrible People, the cult phenomenon You Suck at Photoshop, and videos by Harry Shearer . My Damn Channel creates premium, branded entertainment and guarantees audience delivery for partners including HBO, Comcast, Subway, Puma, Trident, Southern Comfort, IKEA, and Lincoln . My Damn Channel has won numerous awards; worldwide media coverage; major national advertisers; and...are you STILL reading? Please watch 3 minutes here: www.MyDamnChannel.com/SizzleReel
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
My Damn Channel:
Marnie Black Laura Goldberg
(917) 828-7308 (347) 683-1859
marnieblack@yahoo.com lauragoldberg@gmail.com
BBC Worldwide Productions:
Christine Shaw Davis
(310) 228-1620
Christine.davis@bbc.com