Upfronts 2012: Adult Swim Sets Aggressive Programming Slate

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.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.