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The online streaming channel Seeso has greenlit THERE’S JOHNNY! a scripted series from Mad About You creator Paul Reiser which is set behind the scenes of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
Reiser and David Steven Simon wrote the series which will be a coming of age story set in Los Angeles during the ’70s when The Tonight Show moved from New York to Burbank. It will follow the lives and challenges of Andy, a 19-year-old Nebraskan who stumbles his way into a job at The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson and Joy, a young Talent Coordinator on the show, as they both try to find their way and prove themselves in this period of cultural and political upheaval. The show will touch on major historical events of the time, including the Vietnam War, Nixon, and the strengthening counter-culture, as well the show’s status as one of the most popular and important cultural institution of its day.
Reiser and Simon will also serve as executive producers with David Gordon Green, who is set to direct. Brian Volk-Weiss, Michael Pelmont, Cisco Henson, and Matt Ochacher also will executive produce along with Seeso’s Evan Shapiro, Kelsey Balance and Dan Kerstetter.
Craig Knizek will serve as Producer. Nuance Productions, Comedy Dynamics, and Rough House will co-produce in partnership with the Carson Estate which has given unprecedented access to the full Carson archives. The series will mix live action with authentic footage of Johnny and his guests on screen and the team behind the scenes. Carson’s nephew Jeff Sotzing, who runs the Carson Estate, also will executive produce.
Reiser currently stars in the Amazon comedy web series Red Oaks. His recent film credits include the indie comedy Joshy as well as the action comedy War on Everyone starring Alexander Skarsgard and Michael Pena. He also starred in the 2015 Academy Award-winning Whiplash.
Reiser is repped by Gersh and New Wave Entertainment.
Dino-Ray Ramos | Staff Writer
