Schiller Street Heads to Russia

MUNICH: The improv comedy format Schiller Street has been sold by SevenOne International to Russia’s Channel One, which will air the show on Sundays at 10:30 p.m. under the title Southern Butowo starting September 13.

The cast includes popular Russian stand-up comedian Sergey Svetlakov as well as famous actors, stand-up comedians and TV hosts like Dima Brekotkin, Timur Batrudinov, Timur Rodriges, Stepan Abramov, Kseniya Lavrova-Glinka, Vera Brezhneva and Nastya Shunina-Makhonina. Schiller Street has been successful on Germany’s Sat.1, and the format has been sold by SevenOne into France, Italy, Finland, Norway and Turkey.

Jens Richter, the managing director of SevenOne International, said: "We are thrilled about the continuing international success of Schiller Street. Based on a truly innovative and entertaining concept, the show offers improv comedy at its best with a true sitcom feeling.”

Ruslan Sorokin, producer of Southern Butowo, added: “This is the most unpredictable show we’ve ever experienced. The audience and the actors themselves do enjoy not-knowing what is going to happen further. Channel One is excited to have the project launched at the very beginning of the new fall 2009 TV season. Traditionally the broadcasters are perceived by their premieres. Therefore, any brand-new project shown in September draws a maximum of viewers and rivals’ attention."

Alexander Tsekalo, producer of Southern Butowo and chief of the producing outfit Sreda, commented: "This is a ‘different’ type of humor from what we got used to see on TV. It is certainly more exciting, more unpredictable, and requires more artistic talent and heart to be invested in. Channel One and our production studio are expecting to have the outstanding interest of the Russian viewers.”