Like AIG, The Sarah Silverman Program needs a bailout.Comedy Central is cutting the budget for the comedy show by more than 20%, and the three executive producers - including Silverman herself - have threatened to quit the show. The series has not been picked up for a third season yet.
It's actually MTV Networks that is telling Comedy Central that they have to cut the budget. Right now each episode costs around $1.1 million to produce. MTV Network wants that cut down to $850,000 an episode. That's probably more than can be saved by simply replacing the fancy food on the craft services table with stuff from the supermarket.
I predict that they'll settle this, though I have to admit this is a show I don't really watch, even if I do think Silverman is funny. I wouldn't mind having a second new episode of Important Things with Demetri Martin every week if this show is a goner.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-02-2009 @ 11:08AM
Dave said...
I didn't even realize that this show was still on. I just never found her very funny.
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3-02-2009 @ 11:11AM
Jax Maxton said...
I don't blame them for wanting to lower the costs on this show. It's really not very good and I can't imagine it makes great ratings. I'm shocked that the show costs $1.1 million. That's just ridiculous for a small show on Comedy Central.
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3-02-2009 @ 11:17AM
Galley said...
Perhaps they need more TaB product placement.
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3-02-2009 @ 11:52AM
SaveSilverman said...
I think she hilarious and I would watch if Comedy Central would STOP MOVING IT
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3-02-2009 @ 12:45PM
Prateek S. said...
Sarah as a stand up is decent. Hell, I enjoyed Jesus is Magic. But I just cannot get behind this show. Sarah has a lot of quirky potential but a lot of times she sticks with the shock-jock cute girl saying dirty words routine.
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3-02-2009 @ 12:43PM
Jimmy said...
I like Sarah more than most people, but I've never been a huge fan of the show.
The bill per episode surprises me because the show definitely has a low-budget feel. Maybe she could cut 20 percent by dropping the lame musical pieces.
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3-02-2009 @ 12:54PM
Clayton said...
I work on a show produced by MTV Networks, and our show pulls in double the ratings that The Sarah Silverman program pulls.
Our budget is $350,000 an episode. We make about 30 episodes a year.
I can't believe they spend 1.1 million an episode on her show! That is INSANE! The network is right to cut it by 20%. If it were up to me, I would have it cut by at least 50%.
http://makeasitcom.com
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3-02-2009 @ 1:17PM
J. said...
Maybe they should use some of that unspent Dave Chapelle money?
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3-02-2009 @ 1:27PM
Deezul said...
I'm NOT rich, B1tch!
3-02-2009 @ 1:59PM
RetUSMCGunny said...
One question: WHO CARES? Sarah's been riding Kimmel's coattails from the start and she's annoying. With this economy, she needs to get a clue and be glad that someone's going to keep her skinny butt employed.
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3-02-2009 @ 2:27PM
Jimmy said...
Sarah's been "riding Kimmel's coattails" from the start?
Sarah started on network TV (SNL) in 1993. Kimmel was on Win Ben Stein's money four years later and didn't land The Man Show until 1999.
3-02-2009 @ 2:44PM
Kat said...
Boo! I really really hope they work something out. The show is one of my favorites. Save Our Sarah Silverman! I'll be biting my nails in anticipation until we hear...
In the meantime, my personal stimulus package: http://squareeyes.blinkx.com/?p=395
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3-02-2009 @ 8:15PM
Echy said...
I tried to watch an episode last year after I heard her on the Stern show. The show was terrible. If MTV is paying $1.1M for an episode they are getting ripped off.
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3-09-2009 @ 12:04AM
Larry said...
I love you Sarah
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