Showtime has ordered a pilot for Jim Carrey’s 1970s-set dark comedy-club series “I’m Dying Up Here.”
The one-hour pilot will be directed by Jonathan Levine (“50/50”), and written and executive produced by Dave Flebotte. Carrey is also counted among the executive producers, as is Michael Aguilar and Christina Wayne.
Based on the nonfiction book by William Knoedelseder, the series will be produced by Endemol Shine Studios and Assembly Entertainment. “I’m Dying Up Here” is set to shoot its pilot this fall.
“The 1970s L.A. comedy scene gave rise to some of the biggest and most influential performers of the last half-century,” said Showtime President David Nevins. “Who better than Jim Carrey and Dave Flebotte, who were both there, to tell the story of that special era along with the complicated and talented performers that dared to grab an open mic.”
Showtime made a string of announcements on Tuesday at its Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour presentation. The pay-TV channel also renewed “Ray Donovan” and “Masters of Sex.”
It also plans to adapt Patti Smith’s book “Just Kids” as a miniseries. Finally, Showtime set fall premiere dates for its Victor Cruz doc and Notre Dame reality series.