MTV has announced that it is renewing "Singled Out" and ""Loveline," and greenlighting 65-episode orders of a pair of comedy-based strips, "Oddville, MTV" and "Apartment 2F," that are earmarked for July premieres on the Viacom cablenet.
"Oddville" is based on the long-running Gotham cable access talk show "Beyond Vaudeville," which was hosted by Frank Hope, the character created by Rich Brown, the soon-to-be-former cable editor of Broadcasting & Cable. Brown is giving up his day job for the new gig.
Offbeat in Gotham
David Greene, who was also part of the original "Beyond Vaudeville," is on board as co-host. The show will continue to focus on guests with unique or bizarre talents as well as the occasional celebrity. The offbeat guests range from a yodeling pogo-stick jumping champion to a man singing "Rock Around the Clock" in Yiddish. It's being produced out of New York City.
"Apartment 2F" is a half-hour strip combining situation and standup comedy. It revolves around the lives of Randy and Jason Sklar, twin brothers from St. Louis who move into a basement apartment together. All the action takes place in the apartment. It goes into production in June.
'Singled' on
Meanwhile, "Singled Out" will come back for a fifth season and 65 more episodes, with Carmen Electra staying on as host and Chris Hardwick as co-host. Electra replaced Jenny McCarthy halfway through the current season.
"Loveline" also returns for 65 episodes, going back into production Feb. 21.
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