Alabama: space comedy from Reno: 911 gang

[Temis the Vorta]

Alabama!

FX has greenlighted Alabama, a comedy pilot co-created and starring Reno 911! masterminds Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon. The pilot is set a thousand years in the future, aboard the United Nations peacekeeping spaceship: The USS Alabama. It follows the crew, who are in the sixth year of the their seven-year mission to maintain peace and enforce treaties between planets in their jurisdiction.

We've seen these Star Trek spoof TV shows rumored before but now maybe it will actually happen? The It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia crowd had an idea like this, too. But Reno: 911 has a more consistent track record for absurdist humor, and I'd trust them more to pull this off.

If they're bringing in other Reno: 911 actors, I nominate Niecy Nash (miniskirted Uhura parody) and Mary Birdsong (the baddest-ass security officer of all time). I can just see those two on a spaceship!

 

[RookieBatman]

Is it gonna be a mockumentary like Reno? I think I remember hearing a few years ago, somebody was talking about a Star Trek spoof in the style of the office, but it didn't fly. I'll probably watch this either way, but it'll be interesting to see whether it has any legs.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Since Reno: 911 was a parody of Cops, I think they'll copy the style of Star Trek (drama, not doc).

 

[Mr Light]

I would definitely be interested in this! I love Reno 911.

 

[Small White Car]

Since Reno: 911 was a parody of Cops, I think they'll copy the style of Star Trek (drama, not doc).

I hope not. I think the documentary approach is what could make this really unique and interesting.

I know I'd be far more likely to tune in if that's what it was.

 

[ParticleMan]

Hopefully they can capture the humor and wit that was sorely lacking in that final season of Reno 911!...I'll definitely give this a shot, though...

 

[Temis the Vorta]

The documentary approach was funny because we could compare it to Cops. But Star Trek doesn't use that approach, so how could that be part of the parody? I don't see how it can be funny unless there's some reference to Star Trek. Documentaries aren't funny in and of themselves.

 

[Obiwanshinobi]

Other members from The State would be excellent!

 

[Jack Bauer]

I've never liked Reno 911. I tried it but didn't get it. I'll check this out though. Maybe it'll actually make me laugh.

 

[Valin]

The last comedy TV series spoof of Trek that I remember, was "Quark" in the late '70s.

It's about time that someone tackles Trek again.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

The plot reminds me a little bit of the British show Hyperdrive except they were looking out for Britain's best interests but a lot of the humor came from awkward diplomatic encounters. The parody is already started just having a UN peacekeeping ship named USS Alabama.

 

[All Seeing Eye]

It better be like Galaxy Quest.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Garant and Lennon already do "oblivious, pompous fool" very well, so that bodes well for GQ-ness.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Hmmm. Maybe Niecy Nash is joining her former castmates on this show. Just posted today at TVsquad:

Niecy Nash took to Twitter to announce her departure from 'Clean House.' The former 'Dancing With the Stars' contestant and 'Reno 911!' alumna has hosted the show since 2004. Nash said the show will continue without her.

 

[jefferiestubes8]

casting

Mindy Sterling and Natasha Leggero have signed up for roles in FX's new show Alabama.

Deadline reports that Sterling, who is best known for her role as Frau Farbissina in the Austin Powers movies, will play the ship's doctor Doc.

Meanwhile, Leggero will play Roxy Sexbot. She has previously appeared as herself on shows like Last Comic Standing and Chelsea Lately and had a role in the movie He's Just Not That Into You.

Sterling, Leggero join FX sci-fi comedy
October 20 2010

Roxy Sexbot? Is that the fembot version of TNG's Data ?

 

[Mr Light]

Wow, I just assumed this project was dead since I didn't hear anything about it for so long. Yay!

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Wow, I just assumed this project was dead

according to the link today

Production for the Alabama pilot is expected to begin in Los Angeles later this month.

 

[Gepard]

The documentary approach was funny because we could compare it to Cops. But Star Trek doesn't use that approach, so how could that be part of the parody? I don't see how it can be funny unless there's some reference to Star Trek. Documentaries aren't funny in and of themselves.

While I don't know for sure, I've been under the impression that they're copying the more gritty look for shows like Firefly and nuBSG, rather than the very stagy, clean drama look of Trek; the series' direction is more that it's supposed to look and feel completely serious/modern if the sound is turned down, and it's only when you pay attention to the writing that you'd realize it's all ridiculous. At any rate, they're filming the ship interiors for the pilot in the Foxtrot-class attack submarine anchored off Long Beach, so that would suggest a more Star Wars-esque nuts-and-bolts feel to the show. For what that's worth, which sort of tangential to your point.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

it's only when you pay attention to the writing that you'd realize it's all ridiculous

Sounds difficult to pull off - all the TV parodies I can think of are pretty blatant about it - but I'm willing to give them a shot. Hope they can do it.

 

[Gepard]

^As do I. If they can do it as advertised, it sounds like it could be really fun.