Players (was Spike TV orders new comedy starring Matt Walsh, Ian Roberts)

[BillBrasky]

Matt Walsh and Ian Roberts Star in New Spike TV Comedy 'Players'

Series Follows The Hilarious Antics Of Two Completely Opposite Brothers Who Run A Sports Bar

10 Episode Series Premieres Tuesday, March 2 at 10:30 PM

NEW YORK, Feb. 4 -- Spike TV expands its comedic slate with "Players," a series created by and starring one of the founders of the acclaimed improvisational comedy troupe, the Upright Citizens Brigade, Matt Walsh. "Players" follows two brothers (Walsh and Ian Roberts) with conflicting personalities trying to run a successful sports bar. Spike TV's new original half-hour comedy premieres Tuesday, March 2 at 10:30 PM, ET/PT.

"Players" stars Walsh as Bruce Fitzgerald, a free-spirited, fun-loving, guy's guy who is living out his fantasy of owning a sports bar that allows him to bet on games, drink for free and date the cocktail waitresses. His older, uptight brother, Ken (Ian Roberts), tries to keep the focus on turning a profit while avoiding lawsuits and health code violations. The series also features Krista (Danielle Schneider), the promiscuous waitress who has an affinity for B-list athletes and married men, Barb (June Diane Raphael), the insecure and neurotic waitress who falls in love with Bruce, Hickey (Jack McGee), a retired cop who got Bruce out of a gambling debt and was rewarded with a job where, instead of actually working, he spends most of his time bidding on sports memorabilia on eBay, and Calvin (James Pumphrey), the young, simple-minded bartender who lives in the store room and is an aspiring sports model who idolizes Bruce.

Spike.com will feature original video content and editorial from the off-beat comedic minds of the show's stars Walsh and Roberts. The players.spike.com site will also include exclusive outtakes, cast bios and photos for each of the main characters. After the series premiere, fans will be able to catch sneak peek scenes leading into each week's new episode and other episodic content.

Matt Walsh, Ian Roberts, Jay Martel, as well as Peter Principato, Paul Young, Tucker Voorhees and John Lynch of Devlin Entertainment serve as executive producers. Jason Woliner ("Human Giants," "Parks and Recreation"), who directed the presentation and multiple episodes, serves as a co-executive producer. Walsh, a Chicago native, is a former "Daily Show" correspondent who was a founding member of the successful improv comedy troupe, Upright Citizens Brigade. Walsh has appeared in such popular comedy films as "The Hangover," "Old School," "Semi-Pro" and "Bad Santa."

[Itslikeimsayin]

I'm very excited about this.

[Gern Blanston]

Can't wait.

[drbristol]

...and a big yay for casting Jack McGee!

[darrylduffy]

there's some clips and stuff on this page:

http://www.spike.com/show/35512

[BillBrasky]

More clips:


Truth or Dare


Special Olympics


Addiction

[BillBrasky]

1 Guy, 1 Mug – Ian Roberts Shows You How It’s Done from Michael on Vimeo.

[gloshi]

Shitler.

[aenemaTron]

That was great! I loved it. I was skeptical of the format, and I was worried about that ol' UCB sensibility being diluted, but I laughed throughout the whole thing. I'm usually first to jump on old tropes but if it's this funny, I'm fine with it.

[Having Fun!]

I was happy to see Ian Roberts was in it. The press I read about this (which was a long time ago) I don't remember reading him in it. It was a very pleasant surprise. I'm glad these dudes are back together.*

It was a fun show, but I'm off-put by the censor of the word dick especially since the show that was on it was using the word shit. I guess it is that sense of usage bullshit, but it's fucking Spike TV. Get real.

*Yes I watch any promo clips and I didn't realize that it was his head encased in a giant beer on the front page. That beer was so yellow, I thought it was Homer Simpson.

[aenemaTron]

There was a crawl advertising uncensored versions airing at 1 AM or something. I manual-tivo'd that for next time.

[Having Fun!]

Oh whoops, I didn't see that crawl. Does that mean I have to apologize for Spike TV? I mean they had a show all about the what-if scenario of a pirate fighting a medieval knight.

Spoiler:  

Guess what, the pirate won because he had better technology and gunpowder. I guess that also answers the age-old question of who would win between a US Marine and a Viking

[BillBrasky]

I was wondering about that 1 AM uncensored showing. Anyone record that one? I guess it's just the episode with the bleeps taken out, but something about the wording of the crawl made it seem like you were going to be getting "extra" stuff with the uncensored airing.

[RoyalDutchOfDukes]

They have a fucking Drive By Truckers song as the theme. That's the best.

[fevre]

uncensored version doesn't seem longer

http://www.spike.com/full-episode/kristas-mom/36432

[Rob Delaney]

I REALLY enjoyed this. When Paul Scheer says that U2 is playing in the Grand Canyon, I LOL'd for at least 3 1/2 hrs. I hope this show is a big success. I love Matt Walsh & Ian Roberts. Danielle Schneider was awesome too. FUN FACT: I saw her in a production of "Twelfth Night" in NY 15 years ago.

[littlegirltree]

Matt handing Ian that box was the epitome of perfect improv timing. I have a feeling that this show is going to eventually convince me to endure another DCM this year.

[crimestick]

I hope it gets better. I think the first episode was good in spots, but underwhelmning on the whole.

[mike]

I loved it!

Schneider's speech and bossing them around, Walsh with taking orders. Gold!

[Pimpbot]

Did they change the order of the episodes? On the avclub, they reviewed Grand Re-Opening which sounds more like a first episode than the one that aired.