Busboy Productions

Busboy Productions is a production company that was launched by Jon Stewart back in the mid-90s when he was known for hosting the "The Jon Stewart Show" on MTV. Shortly after the show was cancelled, Stewart signed a production deal with Miramax to star in at least two films per year and develop his own projects. However, Stewart starred in only three films for Miramax and no projects were ever produced.

After Stewart's success as host and producer of "The Daily Show", Busboy Productions was revived. In 2002, Stewart approached NBC to create a show in which Stephen Colbert would star. That show never got off the ground. [ [http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,15936,00.html?rsslatest Jon Stewart: TV Mogul] [http://www.eonline.com/ E! online] (February 15, 2005) retrieved on August 10, 2006]

In 2005, Busboy Productions reached an agreement with Comedy Central to finance the production company. Comedy Central has a first-look agreement of any project. If Comedy Central passes on a project, Busboy is free to shop them to other networks. [ [http://www.adweek.com/mw/news/cabletv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000800423 Comedy Inks Deal With Stewart's Busboy] [http://www.adweek.com/ Ad Week] (February 15, 2005) retrieved on August 10, 2006] [ [http://www.boingboing.net/2005/02/18/jon_stewarts_product.html Jon Stewart's production co. may develop shows for other networks] Boing Boing (February 18, 2005) retrieved on August 8, 2006]

In addition to Stewart, executive Richard Korson is in charge of development working with Chris McShane to help him identify talent. [ [http://www.adweek.com/mw/news/cabletv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000800423 Comedy Inks Deal With Stewart's Busboy] [http://www.adweek.com/ Ad Week] (February 15, 2005) retrieved on August 10, 2006]

The name of the company is a reference to how Stewart worked as a busboy in a Mexican restaurant as a young man. The company's vanity card features the sound of a glass being knocked over followed by a voice whispering "Oops. Sorry."

The Colbert Report

Its first television production was The Colbert Report, produced by Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Ben Karlin, and subject to a distribution agreement between Busboy Productions and Comedy Central, which made certain that "the Report" would run through 2007. The Colbert Report is produced in association with Spartina Productions.

Jon Stewart joked in an interview with E!, when asked if he would appear on the Report, that he "doesn't do start-ups" and would wait until the show set into a deeper footing. He has since made several appearances.

Colbert's response was that "His shadow is dark enough. I don't want to ask the source of darkness for help. I'm not interested in that same liberal claptrap. That meow, meow, meow, ironic detachment. We're going to deal with truth on my show." [ [http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/Pf/0,1527,17706,00.html Comedy Central Keeps Colbert] [http://www.eonline.com/ E!] (Nov 2, 2005) retrieved on August 10, 2006]

While "The Colbert Report" is Busboy Production's first successful television show, the notice "Copyright (c) 2004 by Busboy Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved" appeared at the bottom of the "Shadow Government" poster included in "The Daily Show's" "America (The Book)".

Other projects

"Sportsfan"

"Sportsfan" is a documentary which follows a group of Minnesota Vikings fans throughout the football season. It aired on SpikeTV in 2006.

"Three Strikes"

According to Reuters, "Comedy Central has given the green light to "Three Strikes," a comedy pilot from Jon Stewart's production company.

The project is a character-based comedy set in the world of minor league baseball. It was written by Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck, whose credits include "King of the Hill," "Frasier," "The Larry Sanders Show" and "Late Show With David Letterman."

"Three Strikes" is believed to be the first scripted comedy pilot under Comedy Central's first look deal with Busboy. [ [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/reuters/0,24012,1223941_10_0_,00.html Jon Stewart "Strikes" out with Comedy Central] , [http://www.reuters.com/ Reuters] (2006, August 8) Retrieved on August 8, 2006]

"The Donor"

Busboy Productions is set to launch its first movie to date, a new film comedy starring longtime "Daily Show" correspondent, Rob Corddry. Corddry will be an actor and writer for the movie. [ [http://movies.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1185764.php/Busboy_Productions_to_deliver_Corddry_film Busboy Productions to deliver Corddry film] , UPI, (2006, August 1, 2006) retrieved August 8, 2006] .Variety said that the 35-year-old comedian helped Stewart and TV producer Ben Karlin create the concept for "Donor" and will also help pen the film's script alongside screenwriters Jason Mantzoukas and Brian Huskey. [ [http://news.usti.net/home/news/cn/?/living.tv/2/wed/al/Uus-thedonor.Rk5s_GlV.html Busboy Productions to deliver Corddry film] , UPI, (31-Jul-2006) retrieved August 10, 2006]

"Important Things with Demetri Martin"

Busboy Productions is also set to launch a comedy show starring Demetri Martin, which will see him "alternate between taped sketches and stand-up performances in front of a studio audience". Jon Stewart has taken an active role in "shepherding" the pilot. Reuters reports:

'Lauren Corrao, executive vp original programming and development at Comedy Central, noted that Martin's style of humor is nothing like the sketch shows the network has previously tried. The pilot puts Martin's sly, thoughtful manner to use by having all the segments riff on "the important things" about ... chairs. Future episodes will give the same treatment to everything from apples to "what happens after we die," she said.' [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071003/tv_nm/stewart_dc Jon Stewart producing new Comedy Central show] , Reuters, (03-Oct-2007) retrieved October 03, 2007]

References