Cameron Crowe Showtime Comedy ‘Roadies’ Gets Pilot Order with J.J. Abrams
Showtime has been a bit light on comedy since production on Philip Seymour Hoffman's 'Happy-ish' ceased for obvious reasons, but the network has some major names in mind for its latest effort. 'Almost Famous' visionary Cameron Crowe will make his TV debut with the J.J. Abrams-produced music comedy 'Roadies,' now officially picked up for a network pilot.
From The Hollywood Reporter, Oscar-winner Crowe will both write and direct the pilot for 'Roadies,' a comedy about a successful rock tour told through the vantage point of the crew members working behind the scenes. In addition to Abrams executive producing, 'My So Called Life''s Winnie Holzman will also produce the long-developing comedy.
Said Crowe of the pilot pickup:
I love that we’re finally doing Roadies. J.J. and I have been talking about it for some time. We’re fans of crews, those workers up on the rigging towers, or walking feverishly with eight phones on their belt. Those quietly devoted people live huge lives, they’re often the real keepers of the flame. So happy to also be telling these stories with Showtime, and also with one of my very favorite writer-producers ever, Winnie Holzman. Let’s get this show on the road.
Abrams too adds:
Roadies is Cameron Crowe at his most musically passionate, colorful character best. We had been talking about the series for so long, but when he actually handed me the script, it was funnier and sweeter and wilder than I had ever imagined. Showtime is the perfect home for these characters – and there is no one I've been hoping to work with more than the truly brilliant Winnie Holzman.
What do you think? Could Crowe strike the same 'Almost Famous' sweet spot with his new Showtime series? Give us your thoughts on 'Roadies' in the comments!