Matt LeBlanc will star in a half-hour comedy for Showtime called Episodes, which satirizes the Hollywood machine as Matt LeBlanc, playing a version of himself, is hired to star in a dumbed down remake of a hit British sitcom. Showtime is teaming with BBC Two on the series, which will initially consist of six episodes to premiere next year. David Crane, co-creator of Friends, and Jeffrey Klarik, co-producer of Mad About You, are behind the show. They previously teamed to create the 2006 season sitcom The Class. The plot synopsis follows:
When a successful British husband-and-wife comedy team are lured by Hollywood to produce a new version of their hit series for a stateside audience, they’re initially thrilled at the prospects. But they soon realize what the American execs have in store for their precious show – including replacing the erudite British lead with the quintessential comedy star, Matt LeBlanc – and begin to sink deeper into the quicksand that is the TV business. Before long it’s clear that not just the couple’s show is at stake, but perhaps even their marriage.
I’d like to take this chance to nominate Black Books star Dylan Moran as the British husband. Anyway, I actually think this could be really fun and interesting. I’m imagining something along the lines of a serialized version of The TV Set, which would be awesome.
