LeBron James-produced comedy series a slam-dunk with Starz
Starz has given a series order to the basketball comedy from NBA star LeBron James.
The half-hour scripted series “Survivor’s Remorse,” is set in the world of professional basketball and, according to the series description, “explores the comedy and drama of an experience that everyone reads about but few understand — what truly happens when you make it out. “
The comedy was announced last September and the shot clock is ticking fast, with a fall premiere being eyed. For the premium channel that has steadily crafted a brand of sweeping period dramas, “Survivor’s Remorse” marks a toe-dipping back into the comedy waters.
It centers on Cam Calloway, a basketball powerhouse in his early 20s who must navigate the limelight after inking a multimillion-dollar contract with a professional basketball team. Something the Miami Heat star might know something about.
James serves as an executive producer, alongside Tom Werner (“Roseanne,” “That ‘70s Show”), Maverick Carter, Paul Wachter and Mike O’Malley (actor on “Glee,” writer on “Shameless”), who will also write.
“Ever since I got cut from the freshman hoop team at Bishop Guertin High School in 1980, I’ve wanted to write about my love and hatred of basketball,” O’Malley said in a statement. “Starz has given us great freedom to explore an authentic world inspired by Maverick and LeBron. Tom’s legendary TV career and his experiences as a professional sports owner combined with Paul’s wealth of business and entertainment industry relationships have given this team a truly strong foundation to build a successful series.”
Added Starz CEO Chris Albrecht: “Mike has infused the world of ‘Survivor’s Remorse’ with humor and heart. Along with LeBron, Maverick, Tom and Paul, we feel we really have an all-star team to capture the complexity and comedy inherent to this series.”
The partnerships merit some explanation: Carter is LeBron’s longtime friend and manager. James and Carter have been in business with Werner since 2011, when they partnered with Fenway Sports Group, which owns soccer’s Liverpool Football Club and the Boston Red Sox.
Meanwhile, Wachter, a prominent Los Angeles-based financial adviser, has been business partners with James and Carter since 2004 and with Werner since he sold the Padres as Werner’s investment advisor in 1995.
Starz, which will retain all domestic and international multiplatform rights, has ordered six episodes of the series. Production will take place in Atlanta.
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