Simpsons Writer Preps Zombie Sitcom The Last Larry
Zombies are hot in Hollywood right now; in fact, probably the only thing hotter than zombies are funny zombies. We’ve been seeing a lot of comedic horror flicks following in the footsteps of Shaun of the Dead, and now it looks like the idea is about to jump across to the small screen as well. Dana Gould, an actor and former writer on The Simpsons, is currently developing a half-hour sitcom with Comedy Central called The Last Larry. Gould will write and star in the series, which is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a small group of survivors try to continue on with their lives. Gould had this to say: “It’s a very traditional sitcom set in the world of a zombie holocaust… I felt fairly positive after I pitched it that I wouldn’t hear a lot of ‘Not that idea again.’” Funny he should say that, because that’s exactly what I’m thinking to myself right now! Of course, to be fair, it hasn’t been done on TV yet, and I’m a bit surprised. Even a serious zombie TV series could be a huge hit on a cable network like Showtime or HBO. Gould did reference both Shaun of the Dead and Battlestar Galactica (?), saying “If I could combine those two shows in a sitcom, I think I’d be accomplishing something.” Indeed he would. What do you think, is this idea ripe for prime time, or is it already played out?
Comments (7)
I think it’s a funny idea even if it’s not that original. My only question would be ‘how do keep a cast of supporting characters together without any of the characters dying?’. Do you constantly have to introduce new characters into the fold when supporting characters die off?
Still I’d be willing to give a show like that a chance.
Posted by Croft on May 29th, 2007I would love to see HBO or Showtime tackle the comic The Walking Dead.
Posted by Steven on May 29th, 2007i’ll give it a chance because it’s linked to such a great TV show like the Simpsons. It could be great.
Maybe they will be like Star Trek and introduce a minor character then immediately kill it off in the same episode.
Posted by Mike on May 29th, 2007Maybe it’s just me, but personally I feel that when a new type of project comes along like Shaun Of The Dead, which meshed two genres and was completely original, anything that comes after it that is so similar just feels less than worthy. Seriously, humorous zombies was an original idea that happened to be portrayed wonderfully in Shaun Of The Dead. Do we really need more? I think not. What I’d rather see is something like what Steven suggested two comments ago: a serious zombie tv show. Maybe something like LOST or 24, but about zombies. Follow a group of survivors trying to survive from week to week. I’d be interested in something like that.
Posted by Rian on May 29th, 2007@Rian
Good point. However if it’s a choice between a zombie sitcom and yet another medical drama or cop show. Well, give me the ripoff anytime.
I like the survivors idea but when certain characters become popular the networks won’t let them be killed off. They’ll introduce a new character, make a huge announcement that someone will die next episode. Hmm, and they just introduced a character. OMG, the suspense. Who will die, the new guy, or the established character that will result in a potential fan backlash?
Now if the Brits got hold of it though it would kick ass. Or even better the Scots or Welsh.
Posted by darkbhudda on May 29th, 2007It’s true that there are stereotypes which revolve around serial dramas like LOST and 24, but I’d rather see a show like that than another sitcom any day…even if it has zombies in it. There have been some great steps forward in dramatic, hour-long programming in recent memory, but Arrested Development is the only decent, original sitcom that I can think of that has come out since Seinfeld. I cringe to imagine a weekly version of Shaun Of The Dead with canned laughter and humor suited for prime time audiences.
Posted by Rian on May 30th, 2007I wish I had the talent to produce a good poster for the simpsons 20th anniversary contest. I love the simpsons. But at least there are others (as I see here) that share an interest still.
Posted by The simpsons on February 15th, 2009Leave a Reply