Sony launches new multi-platform comedy channel

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Sony Pictures Television has announced the launch of C-SPOT, a new multi-platform comedy channel which will be specifically produced for the Web and mobile devices. The channel will feature high-quality programming with continuing storylines for the entire year. Shows set to air include "Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show," "The Roadents," "Gaytown," "The Writers Room," "Hot, Hot Los Angeles" and "Best of Penn Says."

C-Spot will be available on Crackle.com, YouTube, AOL Video, Hulu, Verizon Wireless' V CAST Video service, and direct to Sony BRAVIA TVs via BRAVIA Internet Video Linnk.

"We've tapped very talented individuals, both established and up-and-coming, to create a spectrum of original Web series that showcase irreverent characters and stories," said Sean Carey, senior executive vice president for Sony Pictures Television. "By updating the content daily, we're looking to engage, entertain, and continue to feed the appetite of digital media users seeking more than just one-off viral videos."

"Gaytown," for example, is created, written and produced by Owen Benjamin, a popular stand-up comedian and actor who's also one of the top 10 comedians on MySpace. And guests on "Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show" include talents such as Adam Arkin ("Life," "Chicago Hope"), Will Wheaton ("Stand by Me," "Star Trek: The Next Generation"), and Michel O'Keefe ("Michael Clayton," "Frozen River"). That show grabbed two million views with the first two episodes that were launched in 2007. "The Roadents" is a new series that takes a vanguard approach to flash-animation, developed by the creative team whose work has been featured on Saturday Night Live's TV Funhouse, and "The Writers Room" features Kevin Pollak as a domineering late-night talk show host.

The network will have a set schedule, with a new episode appearing each week:

Mondays: "Hot, Hot Los Angeles"
Tuesdays: "The Writers Room"
Wednesdays: "Gaytown"
Thursdays: "The Roadents"
Fridays: "Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show
Weekends: "The Best of Penn Says

"Hot, Hot Los Angeles" is a satire of soapy teen dramas that glamorize the excesses of the rich and not-so-famous. It follows the scandalous lives of two popular guys (Scott Speiser and Randy Wayne) as they battle for the same girls and overindulge in the L.A. lifestyle.

"The Writers Room" takes a satirical look behind the scenes at a late-night talk show hosted by actor and comedian Kevin Pollak, and answers the question, what happens when you cram a bunch of neurotic writers into a room and tell them they have to please their tyrannical boss?

"Gaytown" stars Owen Benjamin as a straight man living in Gaytown, where the men wear fanny packs and dress their dogs in fancy sweaters. The comedy series follows Owen's quest to work up the nerve to come out of the closet to Pierce (Payman Benz), his fake boyfriend, and Lina (Lina Miller), the woman he's secretly in love with.

"The Roadents" has been described as "The Odd Couple" meets "Easy Rider" for the YouTube generation. It's a 2-D and 3-D animated hybrid improv comedy series centering on two guinea pigs, Pee Pee (voiced by Kevin McShane) and Buttercup (voiced by David Harris) that hit the road in a 1983 Winnebago.

"Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show" has been called one part "Pee Wee's Playhouse" and one part crazy, unpredictable Japanese talk show--a show that's truly lost in translation. The host, Kiko, confuses and abuses her guests with the help of sidekicks Panda and Unicow (a unicorn cow).

"Best of Penn Says" will float the most popular entries from Penn Jillette's unscripted Web series. Whether he's grousing about the presidential race or defending an anti-gay protest, Penn isn't afraid to share his point of view. And he turns the cameras on whenever and whatever inspires him.

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