Comedy Central Greenlights Three New Series For 2013

Comedy Central has given series orders to three new shows scheduled to join the network's roster in 2013, it was announced today by Kent Alterman, Head of Original Programming and Production, Comedy Central. The pick-ups include a weekly, topical series filtered through the dark and twisted mind of Anthony Jeselnik, and sketch series from razor sharp and unapologetic rising stand-up Amy Schumer and a sketch/man-on-the-street hybrid starring comedian Ben Hoffman.

"These three shows have one thing in common, and I dare viewers to watch every single episode to find out what it is," said Alterman.

Known to Comedy Central viewers from his blistering appearances on recent Roasts of Charlie Sheen (video clip) and Donald Trump, Anthony Jeselnik will bring his signature dark and twisted point-of-view to the network in his new untitled weekly topical series. Jeselnik, who recently taped a one-hour stand-up special for Comedy Central, "Anthony Jeselnik: Caligula," routinely goes where few comedians would even consider going and holds nothing back, saying things most wouldn't ever dare, all without the slightest hesitation.

"Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money," said Jeselnik.

The mischievous Jeselnik, once dubbed "the Satanic prince of stand-up, a black-hearted joke slinger with a ferocious and unstoppable will to power" by the A.V. Club and "a bad man" (meant in the nicest way) by Conan O'Brien, has written for and appeared on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and has appeared on "John Oliver's New York Stand-up Show" (video clip). His comedy album, "Shakespeare," was released on Comedy Central Records in 2010 and named Comedy Album of the Year by Punchline Magazine. Jeselnik received an Emmy(R) nomination last year for Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music or Comedy Special for Comedy Central's "A Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education."

The untitled Anthony Jeselnik series is written and executive produced by Jeselnik and Head Writer Tom Johnson. Showrunner Krysia Plonka and Mosaic's Christie Smith are also Executive Producers. Jim Sharp and Monika Zielinska are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.

Amy Schumer, who earned rave reviews for her scorching set during last year's "Roast of Charlie Sheen" (video clip), will star in a sketch series that will feature single-camera vignettes centered around a theme with Schumer playing heightened versions of herself. The vignettes will be linked together with stand-up footage.

"I am ecstatic to have a home at Comedy Central," said Schumer. "I feel like that network raised me. I love everyone there... though it may just be Stockholm syndrome."

Schumer, who also recently taped a one-hour stand-up special for Comedy Central, was a finalist on NBC's "Last Comic Standing." Since then she has been earning her stripes, working the road, making her one of the fastest-rising talents in the comedy scene. Her history with Comedy Central is extensive having appeared on "John Oliver's New York Stand-up Show," "Live at Gotham" and "Comedy Central Presents" (video clip) and she was one of the stars of the series "Reality Bites Back." In addition, Comedy Central Records released her first comedy album, "Cutting," in 2011. Schumer recently appeared in the film "Price Check" opposite Parker Posey, which premiered this year at Sundance, and can currently be seen in Focus Features' "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley. Other television credits include a regular role during the third season of Adult Swim's "Delocated," as well as appearances on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "30 Rock."

The untitled Amy Schumer series is executive produced by Schumer and Daniel Powell and produced by Levity Entertainment's Itay Reiss and Derek Van Pelt. Brooke Posch is the Executive in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.

"The Ben Show" is a sketch/man-on-the-street hybrid starring comedian Ben Hoffman. Each week, Hoffman will take the viewers on a different life journey, which could include him forming a band, finding religion, auditioning for a reality show or trying out volunteer work. Hoffman seeks advice from people in his life both past and present including his dad, ex-girlfriends, and therapist and tries to figure out how to keep it all from going wrong. These guests also act as co-hosts, helping Hoffman introduce the sketches and keep the show moving.

"I am very excited to be doing this show for Comedy Central," said Hoffman. "And to all the girls I've met throughout my life who wouldn't have sex with me... it's not too late."

Hoffman was a Writer/Correspondent for Comedy Central's "Sports Show with Norm Macdonald" and has written for the "MTV Movie Awards." In addition, he has appeared on "Arrested Development," "The New Girl," "Drunk History" and as a co-star of Current TV's "infoMania" (video clip). Hoffman recently and memorably pranked the Twittersphere and the media desperate for details about President Obama's Hollywood fundraising event with George Clooney, tweeting as if he was present at the event.

"The Ben Show" is executive produced by Hoffman, Mike Gibbons, Itay Reiss, Derek Van Pelt and Judi Brown Marmel and produced by Levity Entertainment. Monika Zielinska is the Executive in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.

Available on-air, online and on-the-go, Comedy Central (www.cc.com) is the #1 brand in comedy and is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIAB).

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