Showtime is getting back into business with Andrew Dice Clay.
More than three years after teaming with the polarizing comedian on a stand-up special, the premium cable network has picked up straight to series Dice, a scripted comedy based on Clay's life, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The six-episode series hails from Fox 21 Television Studios. Created and written by The Hangover Part II's Scot Armstrong, Dice will follow the renowned comedian as he works in Las Vegas to resurrect his career while supporting his family — including his ex-fiancé, ex-wife and mother-in-law as well as his son's band. Armstrong will executive produce the series alongside Sean Furst, Bryan Furst, Richard Shepard (Girls), Bruce Rubenstein and Clay. The half-hour single-camera comedy will begin production later this year for a 2016 debut.
“We realized there was a lot of humor and heart in the story of a once-superstar comedian having to crawl back to have a career — a true second act,” Fox 21 TV Studios president Bert Salke said. “Sean, Bryan and Richard immediately saw the potential for a series, and we so believed in it that we asked Scot Armstrong to write and direct a homemade presentation — which [Showtime president] David [Nevins] and [exec vp original programming] Gary [Levine] loved so much they ordered it straight to series. We really want to support the talent that we believe in at Fox 21 TV Studios, and this is a perfect example of that strong faith and support being rewarded. We believe this could be a signature comedy for us. And Showtime is the perfect home, which has been such a fantastic partner on Homeland.”
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For Clay's part, the Showtime comedy comes as the comedian has been in the midst of a resurgence following a co-starring role in Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine as well as a recurring role on the final season of Entourage. He also has a role in HBO's upcoming 1970s rock 'n' roll drama. To this day, Clay remains the only performer banned for life from MTV.
For Showtime, Dice comes as the network is poised to say farewell to long-running comedy Nurse Jackie this year. The network's comedy brand also includes Episodes, House of Lies, Web Therapy, upcoming freshman entry Happyish as well as hourlong dramedy Shameless.
For Armstrong, Dice marks his latest TV writing gig following USA Network's Playing House as well as NBC's Animal Practice and Best Friends Forever. He's repped by CAA and Hansen Jacobson.
For producers Fox 21 Television Studios, meanwhile, Dice expands the newly merged studio's relationship with Showtime beyond its signature drama Homeland. Dice joins a roster of programming including comedies The Comedians and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, both of which are at FX.
Clay is repped by Gersh, manager Rubenstein and Jackoway Tyerman.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
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