ABC developing 'Cavemen' TV series - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

KronoRed · 03-03-2007, 11:03 PM

That'll show Geico

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...ryid=1300&cs=1

Comedy pilot based on Geico ads
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

Winner for most unusual piece of development this pilot season goes to ABC, which has turned a series of quirky Geico commercials into an actual half-hour comedy project.
"Cavemen" will revolve around three pre-historic men who must battle prejudice as they attempt to live as normal thirtysomethings in modern Atlanta.

Project, from ABC TV Studio, is penned by Joe Lawson, an advertising copywriter who was behind the "Caveman" ads -- as well as other Geico commercials (think the cockney-speaking Geico gecko, and the reality TV spoof "Tiny House").

Daniel Rappaport, Guymon Cassady, Will Speck and Josh Gordon are exec producers. Speck and Gordon, commercial directors who recently helmed the Will Farrell feature "Blades of Glory," are on board to also direct.

The single-camera laffer pilot is based on the Geico ads that promote the insurance company's Web site as so user-friendly that even "a caveman could do it." The spots follow cavemen in modern settings, reacting with offense to the derogatory slogan. In one, a Geico spokesman apologizes and takes the Neanderthals out to dinner.

Other blurbs include the sensitive, modern cavemen peeved at the offending slogan while encountering Geico ads in everyday life, including the airport.

The caveman commercials were created through the Richmond, Va.-based Martin Agency. Jeff Daniel Phillips and Ben Weber play the cavemen in the Geico spots; no word if they'll make the transformation to the TV project.

Few TV shows have come out of the commercial sphere; more frequently, TV characters live on in 30-second spots long after their shows are canceled (think "ALF").

But it's not without precedence: The 2002 CBS comedy "Baby Bob" revolved around a talking baby character that was first seen in a series of dot.com ads. After the Eye canceled "Baby Bob," the character returned to its commercial roots, spending time as a pitchman (pitchbaby?) for Quizno's Subs.

Falls City Beer · 03-03-2007, 11:04 PM

Marshall, Will, and Holly

jmcclain19 · 03-04-2007, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

Marshall, Will, and Holly

They still have a website

http://www.landofthelost.com/

RANDY IN INDY · 03-04-2007, 07:32 AM

I loved Land of the Lost. I'm not sure why.

redsfanmia · 03-04-2007, 07:35 AM

Bill Laimbeer was a Sleestack.

RFS62 · 03-04-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsfanmia

Bill Laimbeer was a Sleestack.

Still is.

redsfanmia · 03-04-2007, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RFS62

Still is.

Good point.

RedsBaron · 03-04-2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KronoRed

"Cavemen" will revolve around three pre-historic men who must battle prejudice

Another thread discussing prejudice. It will probably have to be closed.

macro · 03-04-2007, 09:00 AM

Man, I love those Geico cavemen. Those are the rare commercials where I will stop what I'm doing and turn up the volume. The actors do a great job with the parts.

Yachtzee · 03-04-2007, 09:28 AM

I enjoy the ads, but I just don't see how it will be sustainable humor in a full half-hour show.

creek14 · 03-04-2007, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yachtzee

I enjoy the ads, but I just don't see how it will be sustainable humor in a full half-hour show.

I bet they can make it work, afterall, we had 6 self absorbed New York 20-somethings on the air for 10 years.

Turns out attempted robbery of Mick Jagger is brilliant.

People wept when a few medicos had to leave Korea.

And how could you forget the show about nothing.

It's amazing what America finds funny.

HumnHilghtFreel · 03-04-2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creek14

I bet they can make it work, afterall, we had 6 self absorbed New York 20-somethings on the air for 10 years.

Turns out attempted robbery of Mick Jagger is brilliant.

People wept when a few medicos had to leave Korea.

And how could you forget the show about nothing.

It's amazing what America finds funny.

True, I think that this show might be a little bit too gimmicky though.

Yachtzee · 03-04-2007, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HumnHilghtFreel

True, I think that this show might be a little bit too gimmicky though.

Yeah, I think the other shows could work off of the ability of people to relate to the characters on some level. On the other hand, I think there are only so many caveman jokes you can make before it gets old.

RedFanAlways1966 · 03-04-2007, 12:30 PM

Makes me think of a movie about Cave-People (PC!) that I thought was funny in my younger days. Although that was about Cave-People in their own time. Some might remember the scene where Ringo and his clan accidently stepped in the dinosaur dung!

Yachtzee · 03-04-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFanAlways1966

Makes me think of a movie about Cave-People (PC!) that I thought was funny in my younger days. Although that was about Cave-People in their own time. Some might remember the scene where Ringo and his clan accidently stepped in the dinosaur dung!

Atook alunda Lana.

03-03-2007, 11:03 PM	#1
KronoRed The Lineups stink. Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West N. Carolina Posts: 55,343	ABC developing 'Cavemen' TV series That'll show Geico http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...ryid=1300&cs=1 Comedy pilot based on Geico ads By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER Winner for most unusual piece of development this pilot season goes to ABC, which has turned a series of quirky Geico commercials into an actual half-hour comedy project. "Cavemen" will revolve around three pre-historic men who must battle prejudice as they attempt to live as normal thirtysomethings in modern Atlanta. Project, from ABC TV Studio, is penned by Joe Lawson, an advertising copywriter who was behind the "Caveman" ads -- as well as other Geico commercials (think the cockney-speaking Geico gecko, and the reality TV spoof "Tiny House"). Daniel Rappaport, Guymon Cassady, Will Speck and Josh Gordon are exec producers. Speck and Gordon, commercial directors who recently helmed the Will Farrell feature "Blades of Glory," are on board to also direct. The single-camera laffer pilot is based on the Geico ads that promote the insurance company's Web site as so user-friendly that even "a caveman could do it." The spots follow cavemen in modern settings, reacting with offense to the derogatory slogan. In one, a Geico spokesman apologizes and takes the Neanderthals out to dinner. Other blurbs include the sensitive, modern cavemen peeved at the offending slogan while encountering Geico ads in everyday life, including the airport. The caveman commercials were created through the Richmond, Va.-based Martin Agency. Jeff Daniel Phillips and Ben Weber play the cavemen in the Geico spots; no word if they'll make the transformation to the TV project. Few TV shows have come out of the commercial sphere; more frequently, TV characters live on in 30-second spots long after their shows are canceled (think "ALF"). But it's not without precedence: The 2002 CBS comedy "Baby Bob" revolved around a talking baby character that was first seen in a series of dot.com ads. After the Eye canceled "Baby Bob," the character returned to its commercial roots, spending time as a pitchman (pitchbaby?) for Quizno's Subs. __________________ Go Gators!

03-03-2007, 11:04 PM	#2
Falls City Beer Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 24,098	Re: ABC developing 'Cavemen' TV series Marshall, Will, and Holly

03-04-2007, 07:32 AM	#4
RANDY IN INDY Matt's Dad Join Date: May 2000 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana Posts: 14,504	Re: ABC developing 'Cavemen' TV series I loved Land of the Lost. I'm not sure why. __________________ Talent is God Given: be humble. Fame is man given: be thankful. Conceit is self given: be careful. John Wooden

03-04-2007, 07:35 AM	#5
redsfanmia Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: indianapolis, IN Posts: 3,453	Re: ABC developing 'Cavemen' TV series Bill Laimbeer was a Sleestack. __________________ I was in the ORG once, best 6 months of my life.

03-04-2007, 09:00 AM	#9
macro Just The Big Picture Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: The Bluegrass State Posts: 6,150	Re: ABC developing 'Cavemen' TV series Man, I love those Geico cavemen. Those are the rare commercials where I will stop what I'm doing and turn up the volume. The actors do a great job with the parts.

03-04-2007, 09:28 AM	#10
Yachtzee Hisssssssss Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Land of the Lost Posts: 6,987	Re: ABC developing 'Cavemen' TV series I enjoy the ads, but I just don't see how it will be sustainable humor in a full half-hour show. __________________ "I don't classify 'em, I just pacify 'em." - George Foster.

03-04-2007, 12:30 PM	#14
RedFanAlways1966 For a Level Playing Field Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Oakwood, OH Posts: 11,246	Re: ABC developing 'Cavemen' TV series Makes me think of a movie about Cave-People (PC!) that I thought was funny in my younger days. Although that was about Cave-People in their own time. Some might remember the scene where Ringo and his clan accidently stepped in the dinosaur dung! __________________ Small market fan... always hoping, but never expecting.

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