A “Web Series” was once considered an unknown territory when it came down to the “Big Picture” of where, when and why? More often than not, the series would air to minimal views, fanfare, and often disappear without a majority of the world ever even knowing it existed. But, with a quick look at what’s happening online, it’s more apparent than ever, that it’s all about to change.
With a fresh roster of talent (new and old) taking the journey down the T1 line and in to the online world, we’re seeing some of the best online web series to date, many of which are steadily rivaling major network & cable series.
So much so, that the world of “Online Distribution” and “Web/Digital Marketing” has skyrocketed in an industry content with playing it safe.
Once referred to as the “Wild West of Filmmaking” online content, and digital platforms now dominate the 18-24 demographic, and already have a pretty firm foothold in expanding that to the tween 13-18 and young adult (24-30) demos before the year is out.
With TV viewership steadily decreasing, and computer use and online time rapidly increasing, the breakout hits for next year’s best new series, may not be coming from TV at all.
This past month alone, I’ve had the opportunity to sit down and watch three new Web Series’ that are on the front line of closing the gap between “TV” and “Web” and what it takes to make a great new show.
The one thing I will stipulate before exploring these shows, is that right now, the only genre that’s continually winning viewers and is finding the most success online is comedy. So, we’re going to focus on comedy for our first foray into “The Great Unknown”.
The first three shows I’m going to discuss are:
(click on the names to get to the appropriate shows)
All three of these shows come from the comedy genre, but in varying subgenres of each. And each is lining up to conquer that subgenre.
Each project is also in varying forms of release: One has already secured online distribution through Frisky.com (MERRIme.com), another has just premiered at ITV (Sex Ed), and the third is just in it’s second week of release (Weed Shop).
With that said, lets dive in.
MERRIme.com
MERRIme.com is easily the most expensive of the three, headlining with a cast of Tom Arnold, Kaily Smith and Jay Hayden. The production value, and gallery stills alone can confirm that this series, created by Kaily Smith and David Weidoff (who is strangely absent everywhere on the site) had a few deep pockets backing it. The rotating door of recognizable talent from other TV shows make you wonder if this is a network backed show already?
MERRIme.com is a delightful show that plays the safe comedy arena networks like, while giving us a quirkly look at a woman in her 20′s trying to find love online. Yes, this concept is as old as the internet itself, but with some new twists, and fun visuals (the date rating) it provides a fresh layer of icing on an old idea, and one I’d happily log on to consume. With a fun, and bouncy lead in Merrideth (Smith) carrying the show and TheFrisky.com just continuing the rollout of the first season (The show went on hiatus after episode 4 when it began locking down it’s distribution deal), this show has all the makings of a light & fresh network hit.
Look for new episodes of MERRIme.com every Tuesday and Thursday at THEFRISKY.COM, as it picks up where it left off with a fun and exciting return in Episode 5.
Network fits: CBS, ABC, TNT, USA, CW
Next we move on to:
SEX ED: The Series
Sex Ed is a new show that’s not really a web series at all… though it’s a path that I suspect it will fall in to at some point. Sex Ed was shot as an independent TV pilot created by Ernie Vecchione and Tamela D’Amico, and produced by La Strega Entertainment. The one-hour dramedy, starring Joanna Cassidy as the Sex Ed teacher, premiered at this years ITV Festival in Los Angeles. During the Q & A session following the premiere the creators made it very clear that they made this show to sell to a network.
The show follows an unorthodox Sex Education class, and teacher (Cassidy) in a little college in Small Town, USA as they learn a little something about sex education, and themselves at this age.
Having seen the pilot, I like the set up, though felt it ran long (an hour) and never quite found the fit between comedy and drama that a good dramedy needs to sustain an audience. Some of the cast were on their game from the get go, while others fell flat when you needed them to shine. However, based on concept alone, I could definitely see this as a new show cablers and networks would at least be interested in developing. I think overall there would be some recasting, and some retooling of the pilot, but this show had a lot of promise out of the gate.
While no footage of the pilot is available online, you can watch a trailer and download the script at: SexEdtheseries.com/
Network fits: NBC, ABC, USA, HBO, Showtime
And on to our third new web series:
WEED SHOP
Weed Shop is a new web series that I discovered after seeing the massive ad campaign that engulfed Comic Con last month in San Diego. And apparently, after checking out the show’s website, so did many of you, as the first episode of this independent production debuted to over 100,000 viewers. The series, created by Rock Shaink and Michael Perri is one that definitely lets you know it’s all about “Having fun” from the get go. It also lets you know who their target market is (18-30) just by hovering over some of the character’s dialogue boxes in the opening flash page. The show is only on it’s third episode, of which is obviously a continuous storyline of the 13 episode season, and already has a steady stream of buzz.
The series, headlined by Dan Gordon, Sage Mears and Amro Salama swiftly establishes itself in the “anything goes” comedy subgenre of hit shows like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” or “Family Guy”. A viewing of the trailer will give you an idea of the whacky things to come throughout the day which encompasses Season 1.
Unlike other web shows, this series is weekly, rather than twice a week, airing every Thursday at 12 noon (pst). However, one visit to the website at WEEDSHOP.TV will leave you with enough extra content and fun stuff to explore to keep you busy until the next episode.
The show instantly limits itself from a few networks based on the concept, and follows up that assurance with some of the content. However, it’s those two things that should make this a surefire hit for someone looking to grab a chunk of the coveted 18-24 market. The cast is fun, the dialogue snappy, and while episode 2 doesn’t deliver as strongly as the pilot, episode 3 quickly picks up the slack.
View episodes & web content at WEEDSHOP.TV
Network fits: Fox, FX, USA, HBO, Spike, Comedy Central
