Just got this from the UCB mailing list:
CROSSBALLS to debut on July 6
COMEDY CENTRAL'S NEW SERIES "CROSSBALLS" PITS REAL PEOPLE AGAINST FAKE EXPERTS AND SKEWERS DEBATE SHOWS, BEGINNING TUESDAY, JULY 6 AT 7:30 P.M.
"Crossballs" Sitelet On comedycentral.com To Launch On July 6
LOS ANGELES, June 15, 2004 -- COMEDY CENTRAL introduces a new take on the traditional debate show format, where comedians pose as experts and debate real people who don’t know the show is fake. Out of the Crossfire, beyond Hardball, this is Crossballs: The Debate Show, premiering Tuesday, July 6 at 7:30 p.m. Each half-hour episode will debut on Tuesday through Thursdays for eight consecutive weeks.
"Crossballs," hosted by Chris Tallman, puts unsuspecting real people, experts in their field, against characters played by comedians in a heated debate on current issues. The show includes other bogus elements, including fake TV magazine stories, commercials, and additional “experts” who appear via phony satellite feeds. Shot in front of a live audience, “Crossballs” is a smart, comedic spoof of programs such as “Crossfire,” “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” and the entire Fox News Network.
Characters breathe life into stodgy old debates, with opinions like:
“Sports stars should be kept in cages.”
“People should be allowed to hunt animals with their cars.”
“We should all have the right to marry food.”
“Immigrants would be happier on the moon.”
“Fixing bad neighborhoods starts with dressing the homeless as clowns.”
“Fashion is a gay conspiracy.”
The “Crossballs” cast includes: Chris Tallman, the host, comedians Matt Besser, Jerry Minor, Andrew Daly and Mary Birdsong. These comedians portray different characters in each episode. They pose as “experts” and bewilder real people -- true experts who aren’t in on the joke.
In the debut episode, the heated debate is on Reality TV. Besser plays a Reality TV star who believes that true actors are “liars” and says it takes more talent to eat bugs than act. Also, Andrew Daly plays a mentally challenged, wannabe reality star who doesn’t understand why he can’t volunteer to be pranked on a hidden camera show. They debate against real experts, a professional actor of stage and screen and a casting director for Reality TV shows, who are outraged and baffled but never realize the whole show is a joke.
In the second episode, Besser portrays a driving instructor who teaches “offensive driving”, and believes women should not be allowed to drive SUV’s. Jerry Minor plays a taxi driver who claims he’s mastered the art of drunk driving. When the discussion turns to the topic of elderly driving, Mary Birdsong argues that the elderly “unlearn” how to drive as they get older, and at age 55 should be forced to paint their cars bright orange to identify themselves.
Chris Tallman, host of “Crossballs,” has appeared on “Reno 911” and “The Jamie Kennedy Experiment.” Matt Besser, improv actor and one of Crossballs’ executive producers, was a creator and performer in “Upright Citizens Brigade.” Another improv actor, Andrew Daly, was a cast member on “Mad TV.” Jerry Minor is a former cast member of “Saturday Night Live” and HBO’s “Mr. Show with Bob and David.” Mary Birdsong was a cast member on CBS’s “Welcome to New York.”
"Crossballs" repeats Wednesday through Fridays at 1:00 p.m.
Threaded Mode
