Comedy Central has 'Secret Girlfriend'

New show based on successful Web series

By DANIEL FRANKEL

Comedy Central has greenlit "Secret Girlfriend," a scripted half-hour skein based on a successful Web series.

Cabler has ordered six episodes of "Girlfriend," which features the viewer as the "star" of a twentysomething dating satire, with all the actors addressing the camera as if it were the lead.

Skein, which is produced by FremantleMedia North America, originates from a Web-based series developed by the conglom's Atomicwedgietv.com channel.

"It probably got a million views," said Maureen FitzPatrick, senior VP of digital content and development for FremantleMedia Enterprises.

Eric Weinberg ("Scrubs," "Californication") will serve as showrunner and exec producer. Jay Rondot and Ross Novie, who created the Web series, are also listed as exec producers. Series will be recast for television.

"The Web is an exceptional place to find great comedy," said Lauren Corrao, president of original programming and development for Comedy Central. "We haven't always reflected our audience in the shows we've developed and produced so far. But in this show, the characters are twentysomething guys and women."

Series will bow in the latter part of 2009, probably running in the 10-11 p.m. time period, Corrao added.