TVSquad

Back in the merry month of May I told you guys that Comedy Central had picked up the pilot for a new series called American Body Shop. Well, that has now expanded to ten episodes which are set to air in the summer of 2007. The mostly-improvised show is reported to be in the same vein as Reno 911!, focusing on a repair shop run by Sam, a man whose employees include a receptionist named Denise; Rob, a mechanic; a phony thug named Johnny; and a mysterious Peruvian by the name of Luis. Based on the press release, the show might have more in common with Reno 911! than just being improvised. The character descriptions and their quirks sound an awful lot like the deputies of Reno: one says inappropriate things, one is a kind of ringleader who is always ignored, one always makes racist comments, etc. Hopefully it only sounds similar on paper. I like the concept, I just want it to be unique.

As soon as I started seeing the commercials for this new Comedy Central series, I was thrilled. First of all, the series will spoof local news, which is ripe for spoofing, I must say. Most spoofable is the local news, that's what I'm getting at. Also, the new series will feature Matt Walsh (the reporter) of Upright Citizens Brigade, and one of my favorite funny people of the moment, Zach Galifianakis (who will play the director). Andrea Savage and A. D. Miles will round out the cast. The series is produced and written by Dan Mazer of Da Ali G Show. I can't believe this show won't be hilarious with this crew behind it. The series debuts June 7 at 10:30 p.m.