Tony Winner John Logan to Adapt Limited Series Based on Patti Smith Memoir for Showtime

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Showtime announced at today's Television Critics Association's summer press tour that they have greenlit a pilot for a drama from Jim Carrey set in the 1970s comedy scene, as well as a limited series based on Patti Smith's memoir Just Kids.

Carrey's I'm Dying Up Here is described as "an hourlong drama set in the 1970s L.A. comedy scene" which will "delve into the inspired and damaged psyches that inhabit the hilarious, but complex business of making an audience laugh." The pilot is based on the nonfiction novel by William Knoedelseder and will be helmed by Jonathan Levine (Warm Bodies).

In addition, PENNY DREADFUL creator John Logan, author of the Tony-winning play RED, will team with Smith to adapt her New York Times best-selling memoir Just Kids as a limited series. In a release announcing the news, Smith commented "A limited series on Showtime will allow us to explore the characters more deeply, enabling us to develop stories beyond the book and allow a measure of unorthodox presentation. The medium of a television limited series offers narrative freedom and a chance to expand upon the themes of the book."

Added Showtime president David Nevins, "Just Kids is one of my favorite memoirs of all time. Not only is it a fascinating portrait of artists coming of age, but it's also an inspiring story of friendship, love and endurance. I'm so thrilled that Patti Smith will bring her unique voice to writing the scripts along with the gifted John Logan, who has been doing such a phenomenal job with PENNY DREADFUL for us."

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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