TV NEWS MAY 17

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2013/05/usa-network-upfront-2013-first-comedies.html

We were on hand yesterday at the USA Network upfront and we have some sitcom news for USA Network! USA Network greenlit its first original half-hour comedies, with series orders for Sirens from Denis Leary (Rescue Me) and Bob Fisher (Wedding Crashers) and Playing House from Jessica St. Clair (Bridesmaids, In The Motherhood) and Lennon Parham (Best Friends Forever, Accidentally On Purpose). The network also picked up a new comedy pilot, Love Is Dead for consideration. The two new comedies will debut in the first quarter of 2014, and will be strong complements to off-network acquisition Modern Family, the award-winning and top-rated comedy, which premieres on USA Tuesday, September 24 at 8|7c. The announcement was made in conjunction with USA's Upfront (#USAupfront), which was held yesterday at Pier 36 in New York. 

Single-camera comedy Sirens follows three of Chicago's best EMTs whose sometimes silly, self-righteous and even self-destructive personalities make them unqualified for sustaining relationships, friendships and most occupations. They are, however, uniquely qualified for saving anyone who winds up in their ambulance. Based on a UK format, Sirens stars Michael Mosley (Pan Am), Kevin Daniels (Modern Family), Jessica McNamee and Kevin Bigley. Leary and Fisher co-wrote the pilot and both executive produce the series. Filmed on location in Chicago, the series is from Apostle and Fox Television Studios, in conjunction with Daybreak Pictures. 

Playing House is a single-camera buddy comedy about what happens when two best friends come back together, just when they need each other most. The original half-hour series is inspired by the ultra-close friendship between St. Clair and Parham. In Playing House, when mother to-be Maggie (Parham) asks her single and career-driven best friend Emma (St. Clair) to return home from her job overseas to attend her baby shower, she has no idea what's truly in store. Parham and St. Clair co-wrote the presentation and will executive produce the series. As for that comedy pilot, Love Is Dead (pilot order): This single-camera comedy is set at a unique company that specializes in breaking-up romantic relationships -- rationally, compassionately, thoroughly -- on behalf of those who are willing to pay to not be around when it happens. It's the unconventional romantic comedy that asks: "Why, if love is so fickle, do we keep coming back for more?" Stay with us for info on that if it gets picked-up to series. We'll have much more on Sirens and Playing House soon along with details on Modern Family's syndicated scheduled airtimes on USA Network.