Posted in: CBS, Current News, Editor's Picks TV News, Movies, TV, YouTube | Tagged: cable, cbs, cia, comedy, Derek and Simon, Derek and Simon: The Show, Need To Know, Simon Helberg, streaming, television, The Big Bang Theory, tv
'Big Bang Theory' Simon Helberg Producing CIA Comedy For CBS
In what can best be seen as another example of "But what I really wants to do is produce!", The Big Bang Theory star Simon Helberg (Howard Wolowitz) continues to expand his executive producer horizons with a development deal for a new comedy series at CBS. Scott Weinger and Zach Ayers will write the project, with Weinger executive producing and Ayers co-executive producing. Helberg will executive produce under his Wildline Entertainment banner with Jocelyn Towne; with Wildline producing with Warner Bros. Television.
Though planning is still in the early stages, Variety reports that Need to Know (current title) is a workplace ensemble set in the top secret training video department at the Central Intelligence Agency.
Though best known for playing Wolowitz on The Big Bang Theory for the past eleven seasons, Helberg has been branching out into writing and producing. He wrote and produced We'll Never Have Paris, and produced I Am I; as well as serving as co-creator and executive producer of the series Derek and Simon: The Show.
Through most of his career, Weinger has been primarily known for his acting work, including: voicing Aladdin in the original 1992 Disney film as well as subsequent sequels and series; and playing Steve Hale in Full House and the Netflix restart Fuller House. As a writer/producer, Weinger's television credits include work on The Muppets, Galavant, and Black-ish. Ayers' previous writing and producing credits include Team Toon, State of Affairs, Good Taste and Top Gear America.
Released in 2007, Derek and Simon: The Show was a web based series created by Helberg, Derek Waters and Bob Odenkirk that aired on the now-defunct Super Deluxe. The show introduced us the exaggerated exploits of Simon and Derek, wandering through Los Angeles, spending most of their time in bars and chasing women as they attempt to make sense of their self-inflicted lives. Guest stars during the show's run included Busy Philipps, Michael Cera, Zach Galifianakis and Bill Hader.