Movies
TV: Comedy Central’s ‘Ugly Americans’ Returns March 14
Most genre outfits bailed on this hilarious program, but it quickly has become one of my favorite half-hour shows on the small screen.
Comedy Central’s “Ugly Americans” returns with all-new episodes featuring the affable human social worker Mark Lilly (voiced by Matt Oberg), along with his creature cohorts of zombies, wizards, batboys and other assorted weirdos. The animated comedy returns with seven half-hour episodes beginning on Wednesday, March 14 at 10:30 p.m., following all-new episodes of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning series, “South Park.”
“It’s an “ugly” world out there, but Mark Lilly is ready to help solve any number of problems. Working alongside his peculiar colleagues, he helps integrate Monster-Americans into the madness of New York City. Whether he’s taking custody of a tiny arsonist or making new zombie friends, Mark meets every challenge with a positive attitude. But as everyone knows, a positive attitude doesn’t always go far in New York City.
Mark’s co-workers offer him little assistance: Twayne (Michael-Leon Wooley), is a clueless demonic bureaucrat; Mark’s succubus girlfriend Callie Maggotbone (Natasha Leggero) cares more about sex than she cares about work; his wizard office mate Leonard Powers (Randy Pearlstein) would rather be drinking; and Lt. Grimes (Larry Murphy) is just an idiot. At least Mark still has his zombie roommate, Randall Skeffington (Kurt Metzger), who is always there for him…as long as he covers the rent.”
The season begins March 14 with “Journey to the Center of Twayne,” in which Mark takes a tiny arsonist named Jerry (Bobby Moynihan) into his custody and immediately regrets it. Jerry escapes up Twayne’s nostril, forcing Leonard, Grimes and Mark to shrink themselves down and conduct a manhunt inside Twayne’s bizarre body.
Other episodes take the viewer deeper into the world of an alternate New York City: Callie gets a gender reconfiguration to land a promotion to Ambassador of Atlantis (featuring guest stars Jon Benjamin and Ed Helms); Leonard wins the lottery, and Randall tries to cut himself in on the winnings; Twayne celebrates his 10 year anniversary at the DOI with a Roast (featuring guest star Lisa Lampanelli); and Mark gains a new zombie friend (Dan Fogler). Once again, Mark’s got his work cut out for him in these new episodes full of otherworldly, adventurous fun.
Leading up to the return of the series, comedycentral.com will offer fans and newcomers all access to the world of “Ugly Americans.” Beginning March 7, the site will feature a collection of the best full episodes from the first two seasons for free streaming, along with previews for upcoming episodes, including clips, character designs, stills, and special insights from the writers. In addition, fans can follow “Ugly Americans” on Facebook and @UglyAmericans on Twitter to become part of a new viral campaign launching in late February, celebrating the wonderful world of “Ugly Americans.” And to ensure fans don’t miss a beat, comedycentral.com will make new episodes available the day after air for download-to-own on various platforms including iTunes, Zune Video Marketplace on Xbox, Sony Playstation Store, Amazon Instant Video, Samsung Media Hub and Vudu.
“Ugly Americans: Apocalypseggedon,” the four-player game that unites the spirit and humor of the series with addictive game play, is back with new levels. MTV Networks’ “345 Games” division will release the “Where is Randall?” downloadable content pack on March 28. The DLC, which adds new levels, challenges and characters to the game “Ugly Americans: Apocalypseggedon,” will be released on Xbox LIVE Arcade and PlayStation Network for $3.00 (240 Microsoft Points). The full game is available for download now on both consoles for just $10 (800 MSP).
Daniel Powell is Executive Producer of “Ugly Americans.” Devin Clark, who created the show, is Executive Producer and Animation Director. Jeff Poliquin and Erik Richter also serve as Executive Producers. Aaron Augenblick is Supervising Producer and Animation Director. Colin ABV Lewis is the Producer. The series was developed by David M. Stern. Lisa Leingang and Maura Madden are the Executives in Charge of Production for COMEDY CENTRAL.
Movies
’28 Years Later’ – Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson Join Long Awaited Sequel
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland (Annihilation, Men), the director and writer behind 2002’s hit horror film 28 Days Later, are reteaming for the long-awaited sequel, 28 Years Later. THR reports that the sequel has cast Jodie Comer (Alone in the Dark, “Killing Eve”), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven the Hunter), and Ralph Fiennes (The Menu).
The plan is for Garland to write 28 Years Later and Boyle to direct, with Garland also planning on writing at least one more sequel to the franchise – director Nia DaCosta is currently in talks to helm the second installment.
No word on plot details as of this time, or who Comer, Taylor-Johnson, and Fiennes may play.
28 Days Later received a follow up in 2007 with 28 Weeks Later, which was executive produced by Boyle and Garland but directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. Now, the pair hope to launch a new trilogy with 28 Years Later. The plan is for Garland to write all three entries, with Boyle helming the first installment.
Boyle and Garland will also produce alongside original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice, the former head of Fox Searchlight Pictures, the division of one-time studio Twentieth Century Fox that originally backed the British-made movie and its sequel.
The original film starred Cillian Murphy “as a man who wakes up from a coma after a bicycle accident to find England now a desolate, post-apocalyptic collapse, thanks to a virus that turned its victims into raging killers. The man then navigates the landscape, meeting a survivor played by Naomie Harris and a maniacal army major, played by Christopher Eccleston.”
Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) is on board as executive producer, though the actor isn’t set to appear in the film…yet.
Talks of a third installment in the franchise have been coming and going for the last several years now – at one point, it was going to be titled 28 Months Later – but it looks like this one is finally getting off the ground here in 2024 thanks to this casting news. Stay tuned for more updates soon!
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