Fox Broadcasting Company has entered into an alternative comedy production partnership with producer Jonathan Stern (“Childrens Hospital”) and executive and producer Keith Quinn (Paramount).
Through the arrangement, Fox Multi-Platform Programming will have first-look rights to comedy projects developed by Stern and Quinn to be incubated through digital platforms to become full series on Fox, FX, FXX or other networks.
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Stern and Quinn will also provide distribution and producing services (via Stern’s Abominable Pictures) for select projects that the Lonely Island develops.
The duo’s collaboration began when Stern pitched “The Bachelor” parody “Burning Love” to Quinn at Paramount. The series ran for three seasons on Yahoo! and then was elevated to air on E!, where it is currently in its third season.
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Fox’s partnership with Stern and Quinn augments the network’s live-action comedy initiative in conjunction with the Lonely Island, which is one of the network’s three multi-platform development units.
In 2012, Fox launched Animation Domination Hi-Def, its alternative animation unit. A year later, the network announced a strategic deal with digital studio WIGS, created by television and feature film producers Jon Avnet and Rodrigo Garcia.
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“Jon and Keith have a proven track record of making outrageous digital comedy series that have graduated to successful on-air shows,” said Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, senior vice president of multi-platform programming for Fox. “Their sensibility, expertise and ingenuity are perfectly suited to Fox, as we continue pioneering in this realm.”
“Fox is showing impressive leadership and innovation in an increasingly complex marketplace, and that creates great opportunity,” said Stern and Quinn in a joint statement. “We have always embraced producing for both new and traditional platforms, and are excited to develop hits for Fox by taking a talent-friendly approach to incubating new shows from our existing relationships and emerging talent, and to have the chance to work with the ingenious trio at the Lonely Island, as they develop for Fox, as well.”