Wyatt Cenac, John Oliver team up for an HBO comedy docuseries

HBO is a network dedicated to comedy. Other networks rely heavily on news satirizing yet HBO tends to experiment with its comedy base. Bringing back old favorites like Curb Your Enthusiasm and trying newfound niches like the animal based Animals. has paid off in spades. Now, the premium service wants to try its hand at documentary style comedy.

In a press release, HBO announced a new show from Last Week Tonight's John Oliver and Brooklynite Wyatt Cenac. The yet to be titled show is being described as a half hour that will take host Cenac beyond the desk as he examines social and cultural issues. 

  “We’re thrilled to give Wyatt this opportunity to showcase his bold take on today’s social issues,” said executive vice president of HBO Programming Nina Rosenstein. “His ability to tackle tough topics with humor and insight makes this show a perfect addition to our late-night lineup.”

Executive producers include Cenac, John Oliver, Ezra Edelman, and Hallie Haglund, who also takes on the role of head writer. The ten episode show is set to premiere sometime next spring.

'Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,' Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll,' and a whole bunch of other shows are coming back this summer

It's the time of year when networks end their 20+ episode long shows and start anouncing return dates for old shows alongside premiere dates for new shows. Yesterday, we brought you news about HBO's Ballers and Vice Principals. Today, we've got loads more shows spanning over a handful of networks.

First, ABC has the premiere of the new version of Uncle Buck on Tuesday, June 14th. Mike Epps stars as the titular character, a role once held by the great John Candy in a John Huges movie. ABC is usually good with sitcoms -- even the ones that don't stick a landing are better than most other shows. The network will air two back to back episodes at 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM. 

On Tuesday, June 14th, TBS is premiering a new series called Wrecked. It's a comedy set on a deserted island and a bunch of people are stranded on it. The cast is big and includes Rhys Darby, Jessica Lowe, Asif Ali, Will Greenberg, Brooke Dillman, Ginger Gonzaga, Zach Cregger, Brian Sacca, and Ally Maki. The promos look funny enough and, if TBS' latest sitcom offerings in Angie Tribeca and The Detour are any indication, then this show should shine. Back to back episodes start at 10:00 PM.

Buried deep in a Hollywood Reporter article, found by Splitsider, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee is set to return to Crackle on June 15th. Season 8 (!) of the web series will have some of the biggest stars yet and a few "why the heck didn't Jerry ask these people on in season 1?!?" These guests include Lorne Michaels, Margaret Cho, Judd Apatow, JB Smoove, Jim Gaffigan, and John Oliver.

And, finally, if you like Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll or any combination thereof, then you're in luck. The Denis Leary led FX series is back for season two on Thursday, June 30th at 10:00 PM. The Deadline article uses the synopsis to the show so I'm not writing about it here. 

John Oliver, 'Fargo' to get Peabodied

The guy holding the cat is getting a prestigious award. 

The 74th Peabody Awards were announced todayfor the entertainment category and, sadly, there was no beagle with glasses in tow. Instead, Amy Schumer's show Inside Amy Schumer was recognized for comedic excellence. John Oliver's Last Week Tonight won as well. Physical Peabody Awards are to be doled out Sunday May 31st. For now, check out the comedy winners below:

“Fargo (FX)
MGM and FX Productions
“Fargo,” the series, boasts the same snow-swept backdrop and dark, deadpan ambience as the Oscar-winning movie but tells a different, more complicated story. Its villain, Billy Bob Thornton’s mischievous, murderous, charismatic Lorne Malvo, is a character worthy of Norse mythology.

Inside Amy Schumer (Comedy Central)
Jax Media LLC
Schumer’s wholesome, disarming “Brady Bunch” looks belie and enhance a comic intelligence that’s smart, distinctively female and amiably profane, whether she’s applying it to sketch comedy, stand-up, or person-on-the-street interviews.

Jane the Virgin (The CW)
Eye Productions Inc., CBS Television Studios Inc., Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., Electus; RCTV; Poppy Productions.
Immaculately conceived, it’s a smart, self-aware telenovela that knows when and how to wink at itself. Its Latina lead, Gina Rodriguez, is incandescent.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
HBO Entertainment in association with Sixteen String Jack Productions and Avalon Television
A most worthy addition to the news-as-comedy genre, “Last Week Tonight” doesn’t just satirize the previous week’s news, it engages in fresh, feisty investigative reports that “real” news programs would do well to emulate.”

UPDATE 4/17/15: Added a link to the Peabody website and formatted the featured award list.

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Last Week Tonight Gets High on Pharmaceutical Marketing

Last Week Tonight came back this week last night for a second season! Yay! Host John Oliver started this 35 week stint by talking about the shady nature of pharmaceutical companies and their marketing for doctors. Boo?

These companies buy doctors everything from plane rides to free lunches to probably drugs. Okay, they actually sell them drugs but that's to help people. There is no telling if those drugs will help those that use them though. 

'Last Week Tonight' Returns this Week for Several Weeks

Late night shows will be taking over most of your week with the return of the HBO's Last Week Tonight hosted by John Oliver. The show differs from its counterparts by looking at the week as a whole then, usually, focusing on one single story. 

The second season is set to run for 35 episodes. That means at least 35 uninterrupted weeks of that sexy British accent. Season one concluded this past November to rave reviews. Oliver covered everything from net neutrality to Uganda’s anti-LGBT laws. And because news happens, like, every day, that means the host will be able to tackle real issues like Deflategate or Valentine's Day. 

Last Week Tonight begins its second season this Sunday at 11 PM on HBO.