NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Audible Inc., the world’s largest producer and distributor of downloadable audiobooks and other spoken-word entertainment, today announced a production deal with Broadway Video Enterprises to produce multiple audio-only comedy originals specifically created for Audible listeners. The multi-tiered collaboration kicks off with HEADS WILL ROLL, created by Saturday Night Live breakout Kate McKinnon (The Spy Who Dumped Me, Ghostbusters, Rough Night) and her creative partner and sister, Emily Lynne (Our Cartoon President), and featuring Meryl Streep, Tim Gunn, Peter Dinklage, Andrea Martin, Carol Kane, Audra McDonald, Aidy Bryant, Alex Moffat, Heidi Gardner, Chris Redd, Steve Higgins, Bob the Drag Queen, Esther Perel and Queer Eye’s Fab Five. The next release from the Audible-Broadway Video collaboration will be 63rd Man, an original comedy from Bryan Tucker, Senior Writer of Saturday Night Live and Zack Phillips (Above Average, The Kicker) and will star WWE Superstar John Cena (Trainwreck, Sisters, Blockers, Bumblebee).
“Audible is committed to creating extraordinary, top-quality original audio content through thoughtful collaboration with leading innovators, creators and actors,” said David Blum, Editor in Chief of Audible Originals. “We are delighted to work with Broadway Video, masters of creative storytelling and comedy, to create this completely unexpected and genre-defying entertainment.”
“Broadway Video is thrilled to partner with Audible in expanding our comedy slate to include this format,” said Lorne Michaels.
“When we remember our favorite moments in sports, often the first things that come to mind are sounds: the announcers, the crowd, the buzzer. 63rd Man hopes to use audio to give the listener that same feeling, while also being a funny character comedy,” said Bryan Tucker. “We're thrilled to have John Cena as the lead. He proved his sports comedy chops on SNL and hosting the ESPY's, and I know he will bring all his skills to this."
More Information:
Heads Will Roll, written by and starring Kate McKinnon and Emily Lynne, is a workplace comedy about an evil queen who just wants some peace and quiet. When a peasant uprising threatens her reign, it’s off with her free time (and a few heads). Queen Mortuana and her ditsy raven sidekick JoJo must find the prophesied Shard of Acquiescence to put down the rebellion and save her throne. Heads Will Roll features performances from Meryl Streep, Tim Gunn, Peter Dinklage, Andrea Martin, Carol Kane, Audra McDonald, Aidy Bryant, Alex Moffat, Heidi Gardner, Chris Redd, Steve Higgins, Bob the Drag Queen, Esther Perel, and Queer Eye’s Fab Five. HEADS WILL ROLL is executive produced by Broadway Video’s Britta von Schoeler and produced by Austin Breslow. Will Rogers and Ian Stearns are executive producers for Audible.
63rd Man is written by Bryan Tucker (Saturday Night Live senior writer and Peabody Award winner) and Zack Phillips (Above Average, Upright Citizens Brigade Theater) and stars WWE Superstar and actor John Cena as Billy Foster, a college football star who's just barely not good enough to play in the pros. Like an aspiring actor looking for his “big break”, Billy will take any tryout, exhibition or gig – no matter how suspect – in hopes of being noticed and getting onto an NFL roster.
These productions join a robust slate of Audible Originals, exclusive audio entertainment created by celebrated storytellers from the worlds of theater, journalism, comedy, literature and more. Audible Originals offer powerful performances created for listeners by award-winning actors, writers and comedians, spanning every genre and length.
ABOUT AUDIBLE, INC.
Audible, Inc., an Amazon.com, Inc. subsidiary (NASDAQ:AMZN), is the leading provider of premium digital spoken audio content, offering customers a new way to enhance and enrich their lives every day. Audible content includes more than 475,000 audio programs from leading audiobook publishers, broadcasters, entertainers, magazine and newspaper publishers, and business information providers.
ABOUT BROADWAY VIDEO
Broadway Video is a global media and entertainment company focused on the creation and distribution of premier content. Founded by Lorne Michaels in 1979, Broadway Video’s legacy originated with the cultural icon Saturday Night Live. Broadway Video has since built a stable of television programs including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Documentary Now!, Late Night with Seth Meyers, A.P. Bio, Miracle Workers, The Other Two, Detroiters, Portlandia, and 30 Rock and feature films such as Wayne’s World and Mean Girls. Broadway Video has also created and launched the digital studios Above Average, Más Mejor, and The Kicker.
