This is a very exciting time for television. While movies are frequently hedging their bets and only putting money behind the most base and commercially accessible material television shows have been devoting themselves to risky material and character driven stories that are continually paying off for both audiences and creators.
Television’s golden age has its limits, with all its success it has yet to leave any real impact on network television. The big four (CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX) hasn’t done anything that can creatively complete with what basic and paid cable have been producing for the last decade. This is true for comedies as well as dramas*. The Coen Brothers are hoping that they will be able to break this streak, producing a new comedy for Fox. It will be a single camera show with the Coens operating as creators and executive producers. Phil Johnston, who wrote Cedar Rapids, co-created the new show with the Coen Brothers and will be writing.
According to the Deadline exclusive the show, titled HarveKarbo, “follows the title character — an ill-tempered LA private investigator whose cases frequently involve the depraved doings of the Hollywood elite — and his deadbeat friends in Los Angeles’ El Segundo.”
Private investigators, depraved Hollywood types, and deadbeat Angelinos? This seems right in the Coen Bro’s wheelhouse. I can’t help but wish that the show was being produced on a basic or paid cable network where the Coens can be free to explore more of their colorful language and situations without any inhibitions. But the Coens have earned my trust, if they think they can get a great show made on Fox to their standards then I’m all for it. How about you?
*Except of course Community!