LOS ANGELES, CA — FremantleMedia, one of the world’s largest international creators and producers of entertainment, drama and reality program brands, is revolutionizing the development process for television comedies with the launch of The Instant Comedy Project. At once comedy think-tank and production group, The Instant Comedy Project—under the direction of FremantleMedia North America CEO Tom Gutteridge and VP of Comedy Development Ed Crasnick—creates, develops, performs and shoots a new comedy pilot every single week.

Emmy® Award-winning writer, actor and stand-up comedian Crasnick went to the hottest television properties of the moment to bring together the group of writers/actors/improvisation performers that make up The Instant Comedy Project. They are Tim Scott (“Mystery Science Theater 3000”), Jay Johnston (“Arrested Development”), Mo Collins (“Mad TV”), Rick Overton (“Joan of Arcadia”), Rose Abdoo (“Gilmore Girls”), Paul Tarantino (ESPY Awards), and Chris Mancini (The Sci-Fi Channel). All of these people work their magic, talent and breadth of knowledge on both sides of the camera to create a style of show that pays tribute to the work of Larry David and Christopher Guest, and to shows like “The Larry Sanders Show” and “The Office.” The Instant Comedy Project has already produced six pilots, all of which have been edited in house.

The Instant Comedy Project has also had input from Ash Atalla, producer of the double Golden Globe-winning BBC series “The Office,” and now editor of comedy at FremantleMedia's UK subsidiary talkbackTHAMES, producers of such comedy hits as “Ali G.” Atalla joined the project in Los Angeles during the month of August to assist the team. As a result, some of the comedy pilots may soon see their way back over the Atlantic for possible pitching to UK broadcasters.

The idea of The Instant Comedy Project is to cut through the layers and push past the filters that often clog and water down the creative process of most comedy pilots today. After the group shoots each week’s pilot, it is then edited into presentations and sizzle tapes for network and cable buyers. Meetings are currently being set up for US and overseas markets – already the response from buyers has been positive. Besides shortening the development process, the speed of The Instant Comedy Project also helps preserve artistic integrity. Project member Scott reports “FremantleMedia has supported ideas that I’d been trying to pursue, but didn’t have the resources to do myself.” Crasnick adds “We were given input by Tom Gutteridge, who has produced comedy for the BBC in the UK, from FremantleMedia Director of Development Michael Katz and the development team here, and, ultimately, the creative freedom to produce the ideas we felt passionate about. We hope that FremantleMedia’s Instant Comedy Project will have an impact on the process of making television comedy.”