Monday, April 01, 2013

NEWS FLASH: I will be taking over GIRLS


An official announcement will be made later today, but I have been given an offer I couldn't refuse and so I am returning to series television. I just signed to be the new showrunner of GIRLS.  I know.  Mind blowing, isn't it?  I still can't believe it myself.  This is a deal that has been in the works for months. It’s one of the reasons I am not doing baseball this year. I needed to free my schedule.

Here’s what happened and trust me, it was completely out of the blue. Unbeknownst to me, Lena Dunham is a huge fan of my blog. GIRLS has been in ratings-freefall all second season long, and when HBO renewed it for a third year it was with the stipulation that they would make significant changes.

When Lena was out here in January for the Golden Globes we met for two days, I spelled out my suggestions for the show, and she embraced them. Further meetings with Judd Apatow and HBO followed and a deal was hammered out. One of my stipulations was that I would still be able to continue this blog. Judd said if I was really in a bind for time he’d write a few things for me. Or have Seth Rogen do it. Thanks, Judd.

So what are my changes?  You'll read about these tomorrow in Alan Sepinwall's and Maureen Ryan's columns but why shouldn't you know before anyone else?

First of all we’re going to do the third season multi-camera, shot in front of a studio audience. HBO was concerned they were getting away from the comedy and this will help in that regard. Now when there are laughs you'll know.  Yes, the objection has been voiced – won’t that format make the show seem less groundbreaking? No, and here’s why: Lena will do the same amount of nudity, except now in front of an audience. When have you ever seen that before on a sitcom? In many ways it will be more groundbreaking. And Lena, I'm in awe of your bravery. 

Lovers of the show fear not. There will still be masturbating and anal sex but now there will be applause at the end, just like you do at home.

We’re also adding some fresh daring characters. To address the criticism the show is too white, we’re adding an African-American. Bill Cosby returns to television as Doodles, an irascible homeless guy who has an opinion on everything. He’ll befriend Hannah and explain to her why hip hop music is destroying the black community.

For a big season kick off, Judd has graciously agreed to do a crossover episode with the cast of THIS IS 40.  Leslie Mann and Rebekka Johnson who played Gyno Nurse will be reprising their roles. The public interest should be HUGE.

Also, I plan to take advantage of the fact that the stars of the show all have famous fathers. So Brian Williams and David Mamet will both become series regulars. Brian will be Hannah’s wacky landlord, Mr. Higgenfroofer, and David will be her opera singing neighbor.

I hope you are as excited about these improvements as I am… or Lena is.

Today is April first. We go back into production one month from today. Look for the official announcement later today. Here’s a quote from it:

I feel so honored that Lena Dunham has chosen me to help her realize her vision.

GIRLS rock!!! 

To make it clear, especially for those who read this beyond April 1st -- this post was an April Fool's gag.  I am not taking over GIRLS.  It would have meant having to take off my clothes.  I'm pretty sure America doesn't want to see that.   Thanks for playing along.  Hope you had fun with it. 

50 comments :

  1. This is no Sidd Finch, but it is funny...

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  2. Ahahahha!

    Though I rather do wish you WERE returning to television.

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  3. "When have you ever seen that before on a sitcom? "

    Lucky Louie!

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  4. And a Happy April 1st to you too Ken!

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  5. Pete Grossman4/01/2013 6:24 AM

    And change the title to "Grilz" to make the show a lock.

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  6. I loved Gyno Nurse and thought her character needed to be more fully explored. I've signed up for 3 years of HBO just to be sure I won't miss this.

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  7. I'm going to check the comments section for this post at the end of the day because someone who doesn't read to the bottom will be fooled.

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  8. I can't believe I fell for it.

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  9. You'll be great. You know a LOT more about being a girl than that Dunham person. We're expecting it to be a LOT funnier now!

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  10. Ken, will you also be responsible for the proposed CBS animated spinoff "Girl Babies"? (I hope the rumor that Rosanne is doing one of the voices won't deter you.)

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  11. Set it in Brooklyn and change the name to "GOILS."

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  12. Ken, I am hardly in a position to advise you on being funny, but wouldn't it have been cute if you were to be the show-runner for a new pilot being made by Roseanne?

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  13. I had almost decided to start watching Girls before I figured out what was going on.

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  14. Mitchell Hundred4/01/2013 7:39 AM

    Even exclusiver tidbit of news: Ken will be wearing a dress for the next few weeks as he tries to prepare himself for the mindset required to work on this show. You are a brave man, sir. I salute you.

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  15. "Lovers of the show fear not. There will still be masturbating and anal sex but now there will be applause at the end, just like you do at home."

    Too funny, and also when I realized it was a put-on.

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  16. You had me right up to Brian Williams and David Mamet.

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  17. Will the production be moving to Los Angeles? I certainly hope so, as I would love to be able to audition for any roles of Jewish tailors. It's my specialty and I can only imagine that there will be an artistic need for Jewish tailors in the upcoming seasons!

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  18. Good one Ken. Likewise, NBC has approached me and is giving me a deal to produce my puppet sitcom for their upcoming 2013-14 lineup, I'm so stoked.

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  20. Will all the characters from "Girls" move into a apartment together in Seattle, and one of them takes a local advice radio show and one of their dads moves in! Oh, and don't forget the local coffee shop!

    Good one. Happy April Fools, Ken!

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  21. Will you be writing Wings: Serenity? http://www.kickstarter.com.funnyordie.com/projects/47489540/wings

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  22. Steve McLean4/01/2013 9:12 AM

    Wow, how were you able to get Leslie Mann?

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  23. Like Michael, this announcement leaves me terribly disappointed. I was so hoping to hear of your new collaboration with Roseanne.

    wg

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  24. I am so excited about our working together I'm going to take my clothes off.

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  25. You were doing fine till the part about Judd writing your blog when the showrunning got busy. Otherwise, I was had.

    Very funny. I was actually wondering how you were going to keep teenage boys in the audience from storming the set.

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  26. Very funny, but I'm shocked at how far I read before I realized it was an April 1st Job. Although I'm sure Lena Dunham will be in touch, I worry that Bill Cosby's irascible guy who has an opinion on everything might be indistinguishable from David Mamet trying have an ordinary conversation.

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  27. Hey, I might actually tune in to see that. Especially Brian Williams, he's hilarious.

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  28. Prince Albert in a can4/01/2013 10:20 AM

    This is the zaniest prank since Mitt Romney's candidacy!

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  29. I've already heard rumors that you want to replace Peter Scolari with David Hyde Pierce. I don't know if I'm down with that, but I hope you can find something for Paula Marshall.

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  30. I was shocked to see this. I was expecting you would take over Whitney.

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  31. I was so hoping for a crossover with "Whitney." Good luck, anyway.

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  32. I've never been more happy to be so blissfully ignorant about a television series in my life.

    Although, like a previous person said, would love to see your and David's names flash up during the credits on a current or future TV program ASAP.

    Happy New Year! (Or as some call it, Opening Day.)

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  33. And happy cousin Georgie's birthday, too.

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  34. Wow! This is GREAT! Congrats, Ken. What a sensational day for all of us. I'm coming back to L.A. because I've just been cast as the new rabbi in JUSTIFIED.

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  35. Ken,

    I have often heard actors in interviews take about "dialog having a wonderful rhythm...". And notice that this comment is generally associated with shows that have well known/ respected writers - Sorkin, Weadon, Levine, etc.

    Can that type of writing be taught, or is it just innate?

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  36. Dang! My agent was just about to call you to see if you'd be interested in producing, writing and STARRING in "GOOD MORNING WORLD, SUNSHINE BOYS!" -- a comedy pilot about (you'll LOVE this!) the last of the AM radio morning comedy teams, estranged since the early 70's, who are hired (unbeknownst to each other!) by a "Clear Channel" like company ("Big Deal Broadcasting") to host a morning comedy show! We'd already inked Alan Thicke for the other half of the team ("Babbit & Fratello")

    If the 'Girls' things falls through, give me a call. This is a done deal...on NBC!!! Say no more...

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  37. Good one Ken! Happy April Fool's Day to you.

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  38. You had me scratching my head that, y'know...maybe. After all it is HBO.
    But then came Bill Cosby. Ya got me, Ken!

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  39. Jeffrey Mark4/01/2013 2:07 PM

    Perfect! I was fooled hands down...yet wondering if this was real or not. I wondered when you mentioned Bill Cosby. Good one.

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  40. I'm glad to see that you"ve been able get in touch with the 20-something girl trapped inside. When are you going to break it to Debbie? When are you going to break it to us that this is an April fool joke?

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  41. Cosby as Doodles, LOL.
    Just saw Koufax throw out the first pitch! Vinny saying "Dodger baseball is on the air!" oh my.

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  42. I knew that couldn't be real, a comedy version of GIRLS.

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  43. I started reading because I expected an April Fool's joke. The more I read, the more I was disappointed to find a real (albeit cool) announcement... then, voila! My annual need for the joke was sated.

    Love your blogs!

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  44. Bill persky....and on the first show, have them wash the sheets

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  45. America DOES want to see that! :) Julie, Burlington, Iowa

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  46. Surely you must have seen this Wings April Fools Joke by some of the cast:
    http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/314ecd2314/the-wings-serenity-movie-project

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  47. With the time difference, this post appeared in Oz on April 2nd. This just makes you a liar.

    I'll need a moment.

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  48. I almost thought it was legit until I saw the part about multi-camera, in front of an audience and that point, bells went off!

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  49. It turns out that April Fools' Day jokes are much more potent a few days later when you are no longer suspecting them.

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