TV Guide Network's upcoming showings of Curb Your Enthusiasm could be pretty, pretty, pretty cool.
The network will supplement its syndicated version of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm with a slew of guest panelists discussing the moral implications of Larry David's misanthropic world, when it bows on the channel June 2 at 10 p.m.
Hosted by comedienne and series regular Susie Essman, who plays Susie Greene, the foul-mouthed wife of David's agent, the panels will feature high-profile guest stars, media pundits and prominent social figures who will debate each episode.
TV Guide Network has hired Scott Carter, executive producer, of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, who will work with David to develop and produce the extras. "Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Discussion" will air immediately following each of the installments of and will run approximately seven to eight minutes in length each.
"We are honored and thrilled to be working with Larry David and Scott Carter to create a series of original extras that will undoubtedly engage both new and long-time fans of Curb Your Enthusiasm," said Diane Robina, executive vice president, programming and marketing for TV Guide Network, in a statement. "Their hands-on involvement will ensure that the extras are carefully crafted and set the appropriate tone for a show as brilliant as Curb Your Enthusiasm."
In a joint acquisition, TV Guide Network and TV Land secured rights to the first seven seasons of Curb, which was scheuled to begin its multiyear, basic-cable run in February 2010. TV Land will begin airing the series in TV Land Prime immediately following TV Guide Network's term, in 2013.
Both networks will have access to the 70 episodes that have been produced thus far and will have the rights, if David, the co-creator of Seinfeld, and HBO elect to produce an eighth season. TV Land's run would begin later, if another Curb season materializes.
TV Guide Network will beat WGN America to the syndicated punch with Curb -- the show is scheduled to join that network, as well as 17-owned Tribune stations in fall 2010.
