"The Chris Gethard Show" is filming a pilot for Comedy Central.
Comedian Chris Gethard has been hosting his variety show since 2009, first at New York's Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and then broadcast online and on Manhattan Neighborhood Network's public access station since 2011. He announced that the cable channel commissioned a pilot on Wednesday's episode of the show.
"This opportunity is not going to replace 'TCGS,'" said Gethard in announcing the possible move from public access to cable on Wednesday's show. "If all we ever make is a pilot, we took if further than we ever thought we would."
According to Deadline, Funny or Die is co-producing the Comedy Central show. Will Ferrell and sometime guest Zach Galifianakis are listed as producers alongside Gethard.
The show would air on Fridays after "The Colbert Report." Comedy Central has seen a new hit in that time slot Monday through Thursday with the social media game show "@Midnight," hosted by Chris Hardwick.
The network previously worked with Gethard, 33, on the 2010 sitcom "Big Lake," on which the actor was a last minute replacement for lead actor Jon Heder. Since then, he has released a memoir, "A Bad Idea I'm About to Do," which IFC commissioned to be adapted into a TV pilot starring Gethard.
Billing itself as "the most bizarre and often saddest talk show in New York City," "The Chris Gethard Show" has accumulated a cult following due to an eclectic group of recurring characters, Gethard's frequent interaction with his fan base, his self-deprecating and uplifting style of comedy as well as his connections within the comedy industry. For instance, in one episode he surprised a young fan by commissioning custom videos for her by Tina Fey, Seth Meyers and other comedy luminaries.
The show also made news in 2010 when Gethard booked Diddy as a guest by reaching out to him on Twitter and encouraging his followers to do the same.
The last episode on public access is expected to air on December 11.
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