ABC developing 'Cavemen' Comedy pilot based on Geico ads

[spurssheriff]

ABC developing 'Cavemen' Comedy pilot based on Geico ads
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER
Daily Variety


Winner for most unusual piece of development this pilot season goes to ABC, which has turned a series of quirky Geico commercials into an actual half-hour comedy project.

"Cavemen" will revolve around three pre-historic men who must battle prejudice as they attempt to live as normal thirtysomethings in modern Atlanta.

Project, from ABC TV Studio, is penned by Joe Lawson, an advertising copywriter who was behind the "Caveman" ads -- as well as other Geico commercials (think the cockney-speaking Geico gecko, and the reality TV spoof "Tiny House").

Daniel Rappaport, Guymon Cassady, Will Speck and Josh Gordon are exec producers. Speck and Gordon, commercial directors who recently helmed the Will Farrell feature "Blades of Glory," are on board to also direct.

The single-camera laffer pilot is based on the Geico ads that promote the insurance company's Web site as so user-friendly that even "a caveman could do it." The spots follow cavemen in modern settings, reacting with offense to the derogatory slogan. In one, a Geico spokesman apologizes and takes the Neanderthals out to dinner.

Other blurbs include the sensitive, modern cavemen peeved at the offending slogan while encountering Geico ads in everyday life, including the airport.

The caveman commercials were created through the Richmond, Va.-based Martin Agency. Jeff Daniel Phillips and Ben Weber play the cavemen in the Geico spots; no word if they'll make the transformation to the TV project.

Few TV shows have come out of the commercial sphere; more frequently, TV characters live on in 30-second spots long after their shows are canceled (think "ALF").

But it's not without precedence: The 2002 CBS comedy "Baby Bob" revolved around a talking baby character that was first seen in a series of dot.com ads. After the Eye canceled "Baby Bob," the character returned to its commercial roots, spending time as a pitchman (pitchbaby?) for Quizno's Subs.

[coyotes_geek]

As a commercial, it's a clever idea. As it's own TV show, it's going to bomb.

[SAScrub]

[micah76]

I don't know if it will bomb, the idea behind it could be great, I think if the writing is done correctly it could be a big hit. Especially if they get the caveman from the commercials. ANd really tune into his angst.

[SpurInDallas]

I heard Jerry Stackhouse is in the running to be the main star of the show

[Max Powers]

I agree with CG. good commercial for 30 seconds, not sogood idea for a tv series.

[Hairyhandedgent]

Originally Posted by DizzG

if it has good writing it will do fine

the whole concept is very funny....but it better be well done or it wont last

yeah everybody knows that ill-conceived, poorly written sit-coms are never successful...

[spurs000001]

simple, have the episodes last 30 seconds

[Hedo_Tfan1]

Forget the Caveman! Hurry up and give that Gecko his own show

[Jason R]

It would have to eventually grow beyond its roots. Take "That 70's Show". Its 70s material used to be forefront but took a background seat to stories involving the relationships on the show.

[Jason R]

Good writing?

I know it seems ridiculous, but if the show caught on, we'd become interested in the caveman for himself, and not for his caveman features. Then we'd be interested in his life like we are in other shows. Interested in whether a caveman can win the heart of the girl he loves? Outrageous, but not entirely out of the realm of plausibility.

[Jules]

Bill Walton could be the lead. Then he wouldn't have time to do anymore basketball games.

[coyotes_geek]

Originally Posted by Jason R

Good writing?

I know it seems ridiculous, but if the show caught on, we'd become interested in the caveman for himself, and not for his caveman features. Then we'd be interested in his life like we are in other shows. Interested in whether a caveman can win the heart of the girl he loves? Outrageous, but not entirely out of the realm of plausibility.

Good writing can only do so much. If the subject itself doesn't have much depth to it, creative writing can't cover that up. Why do you think that 99% of TV shows written about an occupation stick to doctors, lawyers & cops? Those jobs just have a natural element of excitement, drama and interest built in to them. You could make a show about accountants and the best writing in the world isn't going to keep that show interesting for very long.

That's what's going to be the problem with the caveman show. So after that initial chuckle over seeing some caveman get offended because some chick doesn't think he knows what an IPOD is, what's that show really going to have?