Upfronts 2012: Adult Swim Sets Aggressive Programming Slate

Live-action, anime original series on tap

By R. Thomas Umstead, Multichannel News -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/17/2012 12:26:00 AM

Complete Coverage: Upfronts 2012

Adult Swim will launch eight new series as part of the network's largest programming commitment in its history, the network announced during its upfront presentation Wednesday night.

Cartoon Network's late-night block will feature such new series as Newsreaders, a satire of the network television newsmagazine genre from the creative team of the network's successful Childrens Hospital series; The Eric Andre Show, an irreverent, late night-themed comedy show ; Black Dynamite, based on the feature film of the same name; Hot Package, a live-action series that follows a fictional Canadian entertainment news program; an Untitled Hell Project, a live-action series about an associate demon who competes on the corporate ladder of the underworld.

Also on the docket is a Robot Chicken DC Comics Special; a Venture Brothers Halloween Special; and Beforel Orel, based on the Moral Orel show. The network will also bring back Toonami, its popular weekly block of anime programming, as well as develop a new original anime program, said network officials.

Adult Swim pilots include an untitled Animated Harold & Kumar project; Rick & Morty, which showcases a genius inventor grandfather and his less the genius grandson; Colonel Wallace (working title), which follows an eccentric southern fried chicken owner and his adventures with his family; and Coffin Dodgers, featuring a group of misfit grumps who get into fraternity-style trouble at a suburban retirement home.

Returning series include Aqua Something You Know Whatever; The Boondocks, Children's Hospital; The Heart, She Holler; and China, IL, the network said.