Samantha Bee is expanding her relationship with TBS.
Days after the Turner-owned network picked up the scripted family vacation comedy series she exec-produces with husband Jason Jones, the Daily Show correspondent has landed her own series at TBS.
Jason Jones Leaving ‘The Daily Show’
The untitled series, which is in the early stages of development, was created and exec produced by Bee and Jones. Bee will host and bring her smart and satirical point of view to the series.
Production on the series will begin in the summer with a launch set for the fourth-quarter of 2015. With the series, Bee will continue to do occasional pieces on The Daily Show until production begins on the new TBS comedy series. Presuming the Bee series is part of TBS’ late-night lineup, it also brings a much-needed woman to the ranks of the male-dominated hosting gig.
“We’re thrilled to have Sam join Jason at TBS and really make this a family affair. We actually have their kids coming in next week to pitch us animation,” joked Brett Weitz, executive vp original programming at TBS. “Like her fans around the country, we absolutely adore everything about Sam, from her straight-faced sarcasm and ruthless wit to her uncanny ability to mine comedy gold from just about any awkward situation. After watching Sam’s work for years, we knew that her distinctive humor and talent belong at the front of her own show.”
Jon Stewart Leaving ‘The Daily Show’ After 17 Years
Bee is The Daily Show‘s longest-serving regular correspondent of all time. Her upcoming departure marks the latest shake-up at The Daily Show. It comes after host Jon Stewart announced plans to exit the Comedy Central staple, with Jones also following suit in favor of his TBS scripted comedy. It also eliminates Bee as a potential candidate to take over for Stewart. Sources also tell THR that TBS heavily courted Bee — who didn’t want to leave The Daily Show but was drawn to the network with what insiders say was a pricey deal that includes a sizable penalty for her new series.
For TBS, the Bee-hosted entry will join Conan O’Brien’s late-night series, which sources tell The Hollywood Reporter, has been in the midst of cost-cutting moves and a massive push — including a trip to Cuba and more viral videos — to score eyeballs under new network exec Kevin Reilly.
This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.