The Comedians (2015 TV series)

The Comedians is an American comedy television series starring Billy Crystal and Josh Gad as fictional versions of themselves. A 13-episode first season was ordered by FX, and premiered on April 9, 2015.[1] The series was developed by Larry Charles, Billy Crystal, Matt Nix, and Ben Wexler. On July 23, 2015, the series was cancelled after one season.[2]

The Comedians
Genre
Developed by
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Larry Charles
  • Jennifer Corey
  • Billy Crystal
  • Matt Nix
  • Ben Wexler
  • Henrik Bastin
  • Mikkel Bondesen
  • Carl Molinder
  • John Nordling
Producers
  • Samantha Sprecher
  • Victor Hsu
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time22 minutes
Production companies
Distributor20th Television
Release
Original networkFX
Picture format1080i (16:9 HDTV)
Original releaseApril 9 (2015-04-09) –
June 25, 2015 (2015-06-25)
Chronology
Related showsUlveson och Herngren (2004)

Because of the merge between Fox Television Studios and Fox 21, The Comedians was the first production by Fox 21 Television Studios.

It is an adaptation of the Swedish SVT series Ulveson och Herngren.[1]

Cast

Guest Stars

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		US viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Larry CharlesBen Wexler, Matt Nix, Larry Charles & Billy CrystalApril 9, 2015 (2015-04-09)1790.878[5]
Billy Crystal unsuccessfully pitches a show that completely focuses on himself, entitled The Billy and Billy Show, to FX. Network executives agree to pick up the show under the condition that Josh Gad co-stars with Crystal, and it is re-branded as The Billy and Josh Show. Both Crystal and Gad hesitantly agree to work together on the show, but struggle to relate to each other and find common ground.
2"Come to the House"Larry CharlesBen WexlerApril 16, 2015 (2015-04-16)1010.534[6]
In an attempt to bond outside of work, Billy invites Josh over to watch a Los Angeles Clippers basketball game at his house.
3"The Red Carpet"Larry CharlesAndrew SecundaApril 23, 2015 (2015-04-23)1020.439[7]
When Billy and Josh are both nominated for the same award, they decide to walk the red carpet together.
4"Celebrity Guest"David MandelBen Wexler & Matt NixApril 30, 2015 (2015-04-30)1060.680[8]

When FX pushes the premiere date of The Billy & Josh Show, the guys try to fix the show by pulling in opposite directions. Billy attempts to get Mel Brooks to make a guest appearance, while Josh asks Kristen and Robert Lopez to write an original song for the show.

Mel Brooks was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in this episode.
5"Go for Gad"Larry CharlesLaura KrafftMay 7, 2015 (2015-05-07)1030.474[9]
When Josh is up for a role in a new Martin Scorsese film, he lets his ego get the best of him.
6"Orange You the New Black Guy"Larry CharlesAndrew SecundaMay 14, 2015 (2015-05-14)1040.381[10]
Billy and Josh insist on hiring a black writer when they become worried that there is a lack of diversity on the show's crew.
7"Billy's Birthday"Larry CharlesEric LedginMay 21, 2015 (2015-05-21)1070.387[11]
When Billy is upset about turning 67, Josh takes him out for his birthday.
8"Charity"Richie KeenBen WexlerMay 28, 2015 (2015-05-28)1090.624[12]
Billy has an awkward interaction with a homeless man; Josh goes to his crush's charity event.
9"Damage Control"David MandelLaura KittrelJune 4, 2015 (2015-06-04)1050.302[13]
An embarrassing viral video of Billy and Josh leaks on the Internet and the guys deal with the fallout.
10"Misdirection"Larry CharlesEric LedginJune 11, 2015 (2015-06-11)1110.390[14]
After failing to get Rob Reiner to direct the show, Billy and Josh turn to an indie horror filmmaker, who suggests they do a location shoot in the woods at night.
11"Red, White & Working Blue"Richie KeenBen WexlerJune 18, 2015 (2015-06-18)1100.532[15]
After Billy axes a sketch that Josh writes, the crew must film a new one on the 4th of July.
12"Overhear"Larry CharlesDan Gregor & Doug MandJune 25, 2015 (2015-06-25)1080.509[16]
After Billy overhears Josh and his friend making fun of him, things get tense on set.
13"Partners"Larry CharlesBen WexlerJune 25, 2015 (2015-06-25)1120.306[16]
Billy and Josh start to worry about the future as filming of the show's first season wraps up.

Reception

The Comedians received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has a rating of 58%, based on 38 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Though The Comedians' material doesn't break any TV molds, the stars' comic abilities push the show over the median with well-earned laughs."[17] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 57 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[18]

References
  1. Andreeva, Nellie (March 19, 2014). "Billy Crystal's FX Pilot 'The Comedians' Picked Up To Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  2. Andreeva, Nellie (July 23, 2015). "'The Comedians' Cancelled After One Season By FX". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  3. The Deadline Team (January 24, 2014). "FX's 'The Comedians' Adds Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  4. Ausiello, Michael (October 1, 2014). "Dana Delany Joins FX's The Comedians as Billy Crystal's Wife". TVLine. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
  5. Kondolojy, Amanda (April 10, 2015). "Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Lip Sync Battle' Tops Night + NBA Basketball, Masters Golf Tournament, 'Vikings' & More". TV By the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 13, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  6. Metcalf, Mitch (April 17, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 25 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.16.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  7. Metcalf, Mitch (April 24, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.23.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  8. Metcalf, Mitch (May 1, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 4.30.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  9. Metcalf, Mitch (May 8, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.7.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  10. Articles (May 15, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.14.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  11. Articles (May 22, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.21.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  12. Articles (May 29, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 5.28.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  13. Articles (June 5, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals(& Network Update): 6.4.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  14. Articles (June 12, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 6.11.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  15. Articles (June 19, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 6.18.2015 (Now Updated with All Charts)". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  16. Articles (June 26, 2015). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 6.25.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  17. "The Comedians: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  18. "The Comedians: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
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