"It's About Time" was a really horrible sitcom that ran 1966-1967. Two astronauts travel back in time. Meet cavemen. Cavemen travel back with astronauts to 20th century. Hilarious hijinks ensue.
Posted on 04/17/2007 11:54:44 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Is finding a way for marketers to beat commercial-zapping DVRs and helping networks to cure the distressed state of TV comedy so simple that a caveman could do it?
ABC's decision last week to greenlight a half-hour pilot program based on Geico's popular cavemen characters highlights the blurring line between advertising and entertainment, as well as the trouble the network has had in launching successful sitcoms.
Although the project is at a nascent stage -- there's no script and no cast -- plans call for the comedy to be titled "Cavemen" and focus on a trio of prehistoric characters who battle prejudice in modern-day Atlanta. Walt Disney's (DIS, news, msgs) ABC will pay for the pilot and show, if one eventually materializes. Geico, a unit of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, news, msgs), will have no creative control but will receive a royalty payment for the use of the characters.
"We sell car insurance; we don't make TV shows," says Ted Ward, Geico's vice president of marketing. "We are excited to have an opportunity to do brand extension."
(Excerpt) Read more at articles.moneycentral.msn.com ...
"It's About Time" was a really horrible sitcom that ran 1966-1967. Two astronauts travel back in time. Meet cavemen. Cavemen travel back with astronauts to 20th century. Hilarious hijinks ensue.
I can already see the NRA and "W" bumper stickers on their foot powered car.
Carolyn
“The Geico cavemen are great fun but it might be too limited a joke to carry a series.”
Especially since they’re evolving into whiners whose only apparent purpose is to balk at the prejudice against cavemen.
Sounds pretty dismal as a TV series.
At first I thought, “it will fall flat.”
Then I think about all these reality shows like “Fear Factor” and realize most Americans have NO TASTE. It is anybody’s guess if it will be a success or not.
Everytime I see those commercials, I think, what would the reaction be, if rather than “so simple a caveman could do it,” the line was “so simple a (any ethnic group) could do it.” That’d be the last you’d ever see that commercial.
I guess they’ll call it:
‘The Cindy Sheehan! Cindy Sheehan! Show’
It will be a PC barf fest about the oprafication of manhood.
Or not.
A half hour GEICO commercial with commercial breaks for what? More GEICO commercials?
Yuck.
That is the fundamental thing, IMO.
Of course, I am a writer & have some scripts done, in various stages of completion. :)
how about so simple a woman can do it...
THAT would be one to grab some popcorn and watch the show.
Sounds like somebody got up on the wrong side of the rock.
Like my first wife...so easy a caveman could do her!
I’ll put it on speaker...
It’s about time, it’s about space, it’s about time I slap your face!
Thank you.
"Tina's here...we're getting back together!"
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