Feature writer/director Mark Steven Johnson is venturing into TV with Generation Next, a drama project at CBS from CBS TV Studios and studio-based The Tannenbaum Co. It is one of two new sales for Eric and Kim Tannenbaum’s company, along with a comedy starring comedian Bert Kreischer, which has landed at NBC with a script commitment plus penalty.
Johnson’s Generation Next is set a year after a deadly outbreak caused ordinary citizens to fly into a mindless rage. After a cure is discovered, these “Carriers” are finally allowed to return to society, and to solve crimes committed by or against the infected, the Infectious Crimes Department is formed. This marks a rare foray into television for Johnson, who created the Grumpy Old Man franchise and wrote and directed Ghost Rider and Daredevil. He is repped by Resolution, Gotham Group and Hirsch Wallerstein.
The Bert Kreischner project centers on Bert (Kreischner) who has been known as a legendary party animal for two decades. Now, at age 40, he has to decide if it is finally time to grow up. The Tannenbaum Co. is co-producing with Levity Entertainment; Shane Kosakowski & Franklin Hardy are writing the script and co-executive producing, with Kreischer serving as producer. This marks one of the biggest sales outside CBS for CBS Studios, which this season began actively taking projects to other broadcast networks.