Nellie Andreeva

EXCLUSIVE: The Hangover‘s Zach Galifianakis, who co-stars on HBO’s comedy series Bored to Death, has expanded his relationship with the pay cable network through a first-look deal. The first project under the pact is a low-budget comedy presentation for HBO starring comedian Brody Stevens and directed by Jonathan Krisel. Galifianakis and Mike Gibbons co-created, wrote and are executive producing the presentation, which just wrapped production. It is a mocumentary starring Stevens as himself, which chronicles one day in the life of the comedian. Galifianakis appears in the presentation and is expected to guest star on the potential series.

Stevens, described as a cross between George Plimpton and “Mr. Baseball” Bob Uecker, is a former amateur baseball player who began doing standup in the mid-1990s. He’s been friends with fellow standup comedian Galifianakis for 10 years. The two met in Chicago when Stevens was opening for the Hangover star. According to Brody, he later called Galifianakis’ hotel room and said: “It’s Brody Stevens. I’d really want to take our relationship to the next level. Can we meet?” Stevens worked on Galifianakis’ VH1 show Late World with Zach and had bit parts in the Galifianakis-starring features The Hangover and Due Date. Additionally, Galifianakis and Stevens have done several Web videos. Below is the Zach Galifianakis episode of Stevens’ Brody Stevens Interview Challenge Web series. Gibbons has served as an executive producer on such shows as Tosh.0 and Lopez Tonight. Saturday Night Live writer Krisel has directed many of the show’s digital shorts and also serves as co-exec producer/director/writer on IFC’s Portlandia. Galifianakis next reprises his role as Alan Garner in The Hangover Part II. Galifianakis, Stevens, Gibbons and Krisel are with CAA.

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