TBS Orders More ENGVALL

Setting the stage for continued success in the original sitcoms arena, TBS has ordered a second season of 10 episodes of its hit sitcom THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW, according to an announcement by Michael Wright, senior vice president in charge of the Content Creation Group for TBS, TNT and TCM.  In addition, Engvall will host BLUE COLLAR COMEDY: THE NEXT GENERATION, a special to be shot at HBO and AEG Live’s The Comedy Festival (TCF) at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for premiere on TBS Saturday, Nov. 17.

“Working with Bill and the wonderful and immensely talented people behind his show has been a great experience, and we couldn’t be happier about continuing that relationship on this, TBS’s first in-house production,” said Wright.  “We’re also thrilled to be working with Bill and four fresh comic talents on BLUE COLLAR COMEDY: THE NEXT GENERATION.”

TBS’s THE BILL ENGVALL SHOW launched in July with one of ad-supported cable’s Top 3 sitcom telecasts of all time and currently ranks right behind Tyler Perry’s HOUSE OF PAYNE on TBS as ad-supported cable’s #2 sitcom among adults 18-49 for the year-to-date, according to data from Nielsen Media Research.  The show casts Engvall as Bill Pearson, a family counselor whose own family is unpredictable, somewhat absurd and a little mixed up themselves.  Nancy Travis (Becker) plays his wife, Susan, who is trying to make sure their three children turn out all right.  Filling out the rest of the family, Jennifer Lawrence (Devil You Know) plays Bill and Susan’s teenage daughter, Lauren, while their sons are played by Graham Patrick Martin (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) as Trent, a sports and video game enthusiast, and Skyler Gisondo (Huff) as Bryan, a musically talented neat freak with a pet snake.  Tim Meadows (Saturday Night Live) co-stars as Bill’s best friend.  The show, which is produced by TBS, was created by Engvall and Michael Leeson (The War of the Roses), who served as executive producers with J.P. Williams (Blue Collar TV) and director James Widdoes (Two and a Half Men).