“Saturday Night Live” boss Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video has signed a deal with Amazon’s Audible to produce several “audio-only” comedy programs for subscribers.
The first project is “Heads Will Roll,” an absurdist medieval series created by “Saturday Night Live” star Kate McKinnon and her sister, comedian Emily Lynne. “Heads Will Roll” is a workplace comedy about an evil queen who just wants some peace and quiet. When a peasant uprising threatens her reign, it’s off with her free time (and a few heads). Queen Mortuana and her ditsy raven sidekick JoJo must find the prophesied Shard of Acquiescence to put down the rebellion and save her throne.
McKinnon leads the voice cast, which includes fellow “SNL” cast members Aidy Bryant, Alex Moffat, Heidi Gardner and Chris Redd, along with Meryl Streep, Tim Gunn, Peter Dinklage, Andrea Martin, Carol Kane, Audra McDonald, Steve Higgins, Bob the Drag Queen, Esther Perel and “Queer Eye’s” Fab Five.
The second release from the collaboration will be “63rd Man,” from “SNL” writer Bryan Tucker and Zack Phillips (“Above Average,” “The Kicker”) and will star WWE Superstar John Cena. Cena will voice Billy Foster, a college football star who’s just barely not good enough to play in the pros. Like an aspiring actor looking for his “big break”, Billy will take any tryout, exhibition or gig – no matter how suspect – in hopes of being noticed and getting onto an NFL roster.
“Audible is committed to creating extraordinary, top-quality original audio content through thoughtful collaboration with leading innovators, creators and actors,” said David Blum, editor in chief of Audible Originals. “We are delighted to work with Broadway Video, masters of creative storytelling and comedy, to create this completely unexpected and genre-defying entertainment.”