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EXCLUSIVE: Sought-after pilot director Marc Buckland has been tapped to helm The Gates, NBC‘s recently picked up single-camera comedy pilot from writers Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, Kapital Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV. The project, which was given an early green light, is based on the British series of the same name that premiered on Sky Living in August. It is an adult ensemble comedy set at the front gates of an elementary school drop-off and revolves around the parents, school staff and 15-minute social minefield they have to navigate at the beginning and end of each school day. Yuspa and Goldsmith wrote the script and executive produce with Kapital Entertainment’s Aaron Kaplan as well as Laurence Bowen and Philip Clarke of Feelgood Fiction, the UK production company behind the original series.
The Gates reunites Buckland with NBC and 20th TV, the network and studio behind the comedy My Name Is Earl, whose pilot Buckland directed, winning an Emmy. ICM Partners-repped Buckland has a long history at NBC. The last three broadcast pilots he directed were also all for NBC and all went to series: Grimm, Love Bites and Next Caller. He recently completed USA’s comedy pilot Paging Dr. Freed.
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Huh I didn’t know there was a 15 minute social minefield at my kids’ school.
While this is better than turning into CBS, I saw some of the UK version of this show and was not impressed. Just seemed like annoying, WASPy parents (who we were supposed to like). A fair amount of gender stereotyping was involved. Still, I will give this a chance, and perhaps give the UK one another chance.
I love Marc, especially when he does “jazz hands” like in that picture.
Oh these poor parents! I can’t believe they have to navigate this 15-minute minefield! What a great idea for a show that so many people can relate to!
Well,this should do well. Anything named The Gates always does well on network tv. I know it was a totally different genre,but,The Gates on Abc was a smashing success-oh wait-never mind. We also have the no advantage whatsoever of airing on Nbc. That should be a big help.
The British version was all of five episodes and was moderately funny. I really don’t see how you can turn this concept into a full length American sit-com with 16 to 24 episodes. Not to mention, a good portion of what made the original funny is the stereotype that British people won’t say no because it’s rude, which is something Americans have no problems saying, which means the writers will have to come up with a rolodex of flimsy reasons to push parents that hate one another together.