Comedy Coaches

The Advocate
June 2005
By Richard Andreoli

Hollywood hopefuls often boast they can write a successful sitcom; but few understand how an idea transforms into a TV success. Now Will & Grace's Sean Hayes and producing partner Todd Milliner have created Situation:Comedy, premiering July 26 on Bravo. This Project Greenlight - style reality show gives two writers the opportunity to test their talents for the American TV audience. Overseeing production of both writers' pilot episodes are out sitcom producers Maxine Lapiduss and Stan Zimmerman.

"Out of 10,000 [submissions] we narrowed it down to five, which we gave to NBC, and then they picked two finalists," explains Zimmerman, who has worked on Girls both Golden and Gilmore. But just because Zimmerman and Lapiduss are gay, don't expect these would-be shows to be shocking pink. "We looked for the best scripts," say Lapiduss -- whose background includes Ellen and Home Improvement -- though she admits both pilots contain a certain queer sensibility. "They're smart and funny. They don't write down to their audience; they assume you have half a brain and can follow a story line."

Adding to Situation: Comedy's queer appeal is Married…With Children's Amanda Bearse, who began directing TV while playing uptight Marcy D'Arcy on the classic sitcom. "It's exciting to help put a series together," says Bearse. "But to also help the writers make their dreams come true was a great opportunity."

Viewers will witness every step of the process before watching the shows and choosing a favorite, which will score the winning writer cash, an agent, and possibly a network series.