Thursday, May 16 - USA, today, has greenlit its first original half-hour comedies, with series orders for Sirens from Denis Leary and Bob Fisher and Playing House from Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham. The new series will debut in early 2014 as companion pieces to the off-network debut of Modern Family, which premieres on USA Tuesday, September 24.
"This is the right time to be introducing half hour original comedies to the USA audience. With Modern Family, joining our line-up in the fall, we can leverage television's most popular comedy to serve as a powerful launch pad for new originals in this genre," said Chris McCumber, Co-President of USA Network.
"Our new series comed from some of the best comedic talent in the business, and reflect USA's style - with great characters, strong execution and compelling storytelling," said Jeff Wachtel, Co-President of USA Network.
From the distinct comedic point of view of Leary and Fisher, Sirens follows three of Chicago's best EMTs whose sometimes silly, self-righteous and even self-destructive personalities make them unqualified for sustaining relationships, friends 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, Kevin Daniels and Kevin Bigley. Leary and Fisher co-wrote the pilot and both executive produce the series. Jim Serpico, Hal Vogel, David Aukin and David Leach also executive produce. 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 along with Scot Armstrong and Ravi Nandam. The series is from Universal Cable Productions and American Work.
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 along with Scot Armstrong and Ravi Nandam. The series is from Universal Cable Productions and American Work.
