TBS Closes Script Deal for Animated Version of Joe Dirt

ATLANTA: TBS has secured a deal for a pilot script from actor David Spade, Sony Pictures Television and Happy Madison Productions for an animated version of the movie The Adventures of Joe Dirt.

The pilot script for Joe Dirt will be written by Spade, who played the title role in the feature film; Fred Wolf, Spade’s frequent writing partner, including scripts for The Adventures of Joe Dirt and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star; and Donick Cary (The Simpsons, Lil’ Bush, Bored to Death). All three will serve as executive producers, along with Doug Robinson of Happy Madison Productions. The project will follow the exploits of Dirt, a muscle-car-loving man with mullet and a heart of gold. TBS currently has two other animated projects in the works: Neighbors from Hell from Fox TV Animation, DreamWorks Animation and Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Good and Evel from Lionsgate Television, Steve Buscemi, Stanley Tucci and Wren Arthur’s Olive Productions.

"David Spade is a hugely popular comic talent who has created a funny, yet lovable, character in Joe Dirt," said Michael Wright, the executive VP, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). "We look forward to seeing how he and his fellow writers and producers take this character in new directions as TBS continues exploring the world of prime-time animation."