‘Area 51’ Single-Camera Comedy in Works at CBS from Lilien, Wynbrandt, Moran & Atomic Monster

EXCLUSIVE: God Friended Me creators Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt are set to return to CBS. They are teaming up with Laura Moran, a former writer-producer of The Neighborhood, and James Wan’s Atomic Monster and CBS Studios for a new project titled Area 51.

The new project, a half-hour workplace comedy, is currently in development. It will be single-camera, which shows that CBS is continuing to explore opportunities in the single-camera comedy space. The network has had considerable success in this format with shows like the now-concluded Young Sheldon and the continuing hit Ghosts.

Last season, CBS focused exclusively on multi-camera comedy pilots. The upcoming season will feature two new multi-camera comedy series, Poppa’s House and the Young Sheldon spinoff Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.

Multi-camera comedies are typically less expensive to produce, making them attractive to broadcast networks, especially as budgets are getting tighter and linear ratings are declining. From a financial perspective, studios find it challenging to justify broadcast single-camera comedies due to their higher production costs and decreased network license fees.

When asked about the possibility of producing another single-camera comedy for CBS, CBS Studios President David Stapf noted, “It’s pretty challenging,” but added, “You never know. I hate to say no, we’ll never do another single-camera for CBS and then something great walks in the door and we’re going to do it.”

Area 51 is written and executive produced by Lilien, Wynbrandt, and Moran. The comedy will explore the lives of humans and aliens working together at one of the country’s most mysterious locations.

James Wan, Michael Clear, and Rob Hackett are set to executive produce for Atomic Monster. The project represents Lilien and Wynbrandt’s first venture into half-hour comedy. The duo has an extensive resume, including creating and executive producing the dramedy God Friended Me, which aired on CBS for two seasons and won a Humanitas Prize. They also developed and executive produced NBC’s Quantum Leap reboot and served as executive producers and co-showrunners on NBC’s sci-fi drama La Brea.

Lilien and Wynbrandt’s other credits include co-creating Fox’s Alcatraz and contributing to shows like Gotham, CBS’s Hawaii Five-0, and CSI: NY. They are represented by CAA, Range, and Todd Rubenstein.

Laura Moran, who is known for her work on series such as Harley Quinn, Undateable, and The Dangerous Book For Boys, is represented by UTA and Melissa Fox. Atomic Monster is represented by CAA and Seth Michael.

The new show promises to bring a unique blend of humor and intrigue, centering on one of America’s most enigmatic places.

Source: Deadline