This news actually broke last month, but I am bringing it up because it seems like such a big departure for SpikeTV. This is the channel that generally sticks to more base level stuff focused at 18-34 males audience. And more specifically those in that demo that enjoy booze, sports and folks doing dumb stuff.
It has been a while since the work of Carl Hiaasen has gotten press for mixing with Hollywood, but Spike TV is looking to develop BASKET CASE for a series.
Once a hotshot investigative reporter, Jack Tagger now bangs out obituaries for a South Florida daily, “plotting to resurrect my career by yoking my byline to some famous stiff.” Jimmy Stoma, the infamous front man of Jimmy and the Slut Puppies, dead in a fishy-smelling scuba “accident” may be just the stiff Jack needs-if only he can figure out what happened. Standing in the way are [among others] an editor who wants Jack to “break her cherry,” Stoma’s ambitious pop-singer widow, and the soulless, profit-hungry newspaper owner Jack once publicly humiliated. As clues from Stoma’s music give Jack Tagger the chance to trade obits for a story that could hit the front page, murder gives his career a new lease on life.
Rob Reiner is on board as executive producer and director. Reiner was pretty hot, as a filmmaker, in the 80s and 90s with THIS IS SPINAL TAP, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, THE GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI and THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT. The late 90s and 2000s were less accepting of his work and he spent as much time acting as he did directing. This is his first foray, as a filmmaker, into television.
Alex Taub is handling writing duties. Taub has a pretty extensive track record in TV. He has worked as a writer and producer for ELI STONE, FELICITY, SMALLVILLE, JUDGING AMY and DROP DEAD DIVA.
