Oct. 02, 2006
Hollywood Reporter

MTV draws up Cannon series
By Kimberly Nordyke

MTV has given the green light to a new sketch-comedy series from Nick Cannon.

"Nick Cannon Presents: Short Circuitz" has been given an eight-episode order, with the half-hour show set to premiere in first-quarter 2007 as
part of the network's "10 Spot" lineup.

The series will consist of topical sketches, impersonations, parodies and other comedic elements. It will feature Cannon, who also is the
creator/executive producer, along with comedy/improv players Affion Crockett, Eliza Coupe, Leonard Robinson, Taran Killam and Katt Williams.

"Short Circuitz" falls under the exclusive first-look production deal that MTV inked with Cannon during the summer, just ahead of the
third-season premiere of his improv/sketch comedy show "Nick Cannon Presents Wild N' Out," which airs at 10 p.m. Thursdays (HR 8/8).

"Nick is so in touch with what will connect with viewers and particularly with his brand of comedy; he proved that with 'Wild N' Out,' which presents comedy in a new and different way," said Tony DiSanto, executive producer at MTV. " 'Short Circuitz' will do for sketch comedy what 'Wild N' Out' did for improv -- infuse it with a hip-hop vibe and Nick's own brand of edgy humor."

DiSanto added that because the show consists of stand-alone segments, it can easily be "broken up" into shortform programming that can air on multiple platforms, including online.

"It is an honor that MTV and its executives have given me another opportunity to express my creativity," Cannon said. "They are the perfect partner to launch my new sketch-comedy series, and I look forward to continued success in creating fresh and entertaining content for the network's loyal audience."

MTV recently announced that the third quarter was its most-watched ever among persons 12-34 and that it has been the No. 1-rated 24-hour basic cable network among persons 12-24 for 38 consecutive quarters, according to Nielsen Media Research.

DiSanto and Tony DiBari are MTV's executive producers for "Short Circuitz." Michael Goldman also exec produces.

Cannon, who starred in the 2002 boxoffice hit "Drumline," lends his voice to Sony's "Monster House" and next appears in the Robert F.
Kennedy biopic "Bobby." He is repped by Endeavor, the Collective and attorney Nina Shaw.