Comedy Central Greenlights New Animated Series

NEW YORK: Comedy Central is developing a slate of new titles for the 2009-2010 season, and has given a seven-episode order to Ugly Americans, a new half-hour animated series developed and exec-produced by The Simpsons‘ David Stern, based on an idea by illustrator Devin Clark.

Ugly Americans, slated for a Q1 2010 premiere, takes place in an alternate universe New York City where creatures from horror, fantasy and science-fiction live among ordinary citizens. It focuses on Mark Lilly, a human social worker for the Department of Immigration who helps new citizens of all kinds adapt to life in the city.

"During these tough economic times our viewers need a good laugh now more than ever," said Lauren Corrao, the network’s president of original programming and development. "With the pick-up of Ugly Americans, our viewers will be able to escape into a fantasy world like they’ve never seen before."

Shows that have been greenlit for pilot production and script development include: the untitled Ron White show based on White’s "everyman" point-of-view featuring in-studio and man-on-the-street segments; a sports comedy show from the Sklar brothers which is executive produced by Michael Eisner and centers around two brothers who are the heirs to a major sports conglomerate; a sketch-variety show from Andy Dick; The Life, which follows a one-hit wonder music star and is executive produced and written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh; and Ghosts/Aliens, which follows two friends quest to expose the truth about the existence of ghosts and aliens.

Comedy Central is also expanding its animation development slate with projects that include a Jamie Foxx workplace comedy and Gypsy Cab with 30 Rock‘s Judah Friedlander.