Norbert Leo Butz's Sitcom

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 8:18pm

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/devwatch.cgi?id=untitled_nobert_leo_butz_project

The Futon Critic says "no details are available other than it is a comedy", that it stars Norbert Leo Butz and its EP is Joe Roth.

Are there any other snippets that are out there? Casting, plot? I heard he was out filming it in February, someone should know something by know!

I just hope it doesn't follow the loser husband/hot wife format of every other CBS sitcom. And if it does get picked up, is there any chance that it will get the 10 million viewers it needs to stay on CBS for more than a few weeks?

Updated On: 4/10/06 at 08:18 PM

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 8:45pm

In all honesty I'm worried about this sitcom, as much as I love Norbert...am I the only one who thinks that the days of the sitcom are coming to a close?

Besides, that may just be because I want him on the stage! Not on television.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 8:54pm

shesamarshallow: awesome avatar!

and sorry, I don;t know anything about the sitcom. can;t wait to see it though.

[Kelsey]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 9:12pm

I'll watch it.

I doubt it will do well, despite Norbert's undeniable charm and talent.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 9:21pm

What I find so ironic about all this is that Norbert never trained to be a comedic actor. I guess he had it in him all along.

Posted: 4/10/06 at 9:22pm

Looking forward to his show and hope it does well, but we still need him on Broadway!! It's one of these love/hate things - you'd love to see him succeed on TV, but hate that he'll NOT be on B'way for a while. :) Ah well...

[broadwaybaby221]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 9:23pm

I'm really hoping this actually happens. Despite the fact that I think Norbert needs to stick with the stage, I think that he could possibly become a household name with this show. If they get the right casting/plot line, I really think it could do well.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 9:51pm

Well, in terms of broadway stars in sitcoms, it's hit or miss - Kristin on NBC was a disaster, but Neil Patrick Harris in CBS's How I Met Your Mother is nothing short of genius. Unfortunately, I doubt they'd let Norbert (as the main character) be so wacky.

I hope it lasts a season with a devout cult following, so I'll have Norbert to watch on demand. But then he can return to Broadway. And sing his little heart out (after the year long vocal rest).

[Sparklesss]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 11:23pm

I was going to say, it reminds me of Kristen's...

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 4/10/06 at 11:31pm

Well, Kristin's wasn't a very good sitcom though, and "How I Met Your Mother" is a great show. And Neil is known for something that isn't Broadway.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:24am

Yeah, I don't think the era of sitcoms is coming to an end, but if they'd put something interesting on television, maybe people would watch. People always joke about the ugly/fat husband and the hot wife, but that's so true. Why don't people understand that and try and make something that's actually good. With some witty writing like Friends or Seinfeld. Norbert's show will do well if its well written, well acted, and has the sort of exposure it needs. Its so odd cause I remember hearing about Kristin's sitcom before I knew anything about her and thinking "oh that looks funny, weird idea though. I mean a sitcom about a broadway actress? weird." I really wish they'd release it on DVD or something so I could see it.

[pandajen14]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:28am

I lost hope in sitcoms after the cancellation of Arrested Development.

But if Norbert's in it? I'd watch Norbert in anything.

[zzannahk]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:29am

the only sitcom i watch is two and 1/2 men during everwood commericals, because that kid is awesome

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:36am

The Futon Critic does specify that it will be a four-camera show (the more traditional laugh-track version that seems to be losing its spark) rather than a one camera show (like Scrubs, Arrested Development, My Name is Earl and The Office).

The only show in the former category that I watch regularly is How I Met Your Mother.

I just have this feeling that Norbert would work better as the deadpan friend to the straight man main character. Or the insane friend. Any character that's allowed to have a personality and is there to add spice rather than anchor the show.

There's really no news out there at all? It's either an incredible no-leak policy or a sad statement that few people (not on this board) care about it.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:36am

Yeah, Arrested Development was brillant. Though it wasn't a typical "sitcom." i'm still pissed my all time favorite show "dead like me" was canceled. ugh! And yet ****ty shows like "still standing" and "yes dear" are still on the air? C'mon!

[SirLiir]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:45am

Well, its still in development. Last I heard, he flew out to LA a few weeks back to discuss it so I have no idea (yet) what came from it. There was one thing puzzling me, however. When I was waiting to talk to him two weeks ago in NJ, someone asked what he was doing next. He replied that he didnt have an idea at that moment. I found it odd that he didn't mention the sitcom. I hope it still goes through. Even if he does a sitcom, he will be back to the stage. Relax, Liz.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 1:56am

Well, when I saw him at the DRS stage door (3/25) I said "Good luck with the sitcom!" and he simply said "Thanks." Which implies it's not dead in the water.

But I thought it was in production for the 2006/7 season, and in that case they definitely should have at least started the pilot - the networks announce their schedules in a month!

[StageManager2]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 3:46am

What was wrong with KRISTIN besides the title? (I hate it when show titles are not creative enough.) I never watched.

[Dirty Rotten Scoundrel]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 6:44pm

What was wrong with KRISTIN besides the title? (I hate it when show titles are not creative enough.) I never watched.

Just gonna go out on a limb here and say that the show probably just wasn't good.

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 6:52pm

Kristin just wasn't very good. She was charming and funny but the writing and supporting cast was mediocre.

I think I would die of happiness if Norbert was on the Office.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 6:52pm

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0155693/news

The Kristin Chenoweth sitcom, which was shelved after NBC got a look at the first episodes, received a drubbing from the critics. "A summer castoff series is on the last train to Oblivion, without the customary scenic stop at Hiatus," San Francisco Chronicle TV writer John Carman wrote. New York Daily News critic David Bianculli commented that the show "is horrendous enough to qualify as an instant trivia question."

[rock00]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 8:09pm

I hope it's a makeover show and every week they fix that awful pie-face of his.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 8:12pm

That was a little... uncalled for.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 8:44pm

rock, that is just mean.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 4/11/06 at 8:49pm

shesamarshmallow, Neil Patrick Harris is hardly a "Broadway star turned sitcom actor."

He was famous on television long before he set foot on a Broadway stage.