New comedy from Ali G producer

Ali G producer Dan Mazer has landed a new show for America’s Comedy Central channel.

The cable channel has ordered ten episodes of America Lives, an improvised comedy in a similar vein to Sacha Baron Cohen’s creation.

The show will involve a group of actors playing spoof TV journalists – but while Ali G targeted those in the public eye, American Lives will interview members of the public caught up in real events.

However, the show differs from Ali G in that it uses these interviews as a background to a narrative sitcom.

A pilot episode featured the crew covering a bodybuilding contest, and inviting a sexual-harassment counsellor  to their phoney news station to speak to what he thought were genuine employees.

Comedian Zach Galifianakis, pictured, and Matt Walsh from New York improv group Upright Citizens Brigade are among those taking part.

The show is likely to launch next summer, Hollywood trade bible Variety reports. It had previously ben developed by major network NBC, but they decided not to pick it up for a series.

Comedy Central  vice president Lauren Corrao said : ‘It's sort of dangerous in a way, because these are crazy characters doing their thing in the real world. I can see what

But she insisted: ‘ It's not about the reveal, or duping people,.  It's about capturing the reality of a situation and the outrageousness of what these improv actors come up with on the spot.’

Cambridge graduate Mazer has been co-writing the Ali G character with Sacha Baron Cohen since he emerged in the 11 O’Clock show. He previously worked on Fantasy World Cup and Big Breakfast.

He told the Hollywood Reporter: 'I think I set out to do something deliberately different than 'Ali G. This show will really distinguish itself from the typical network sitcom. '

Published: 16 Nov 2005