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[12/15/11 - 12:28 PM]
USA Network Names Melanie Frankel Vice President, Original Comedy Series
Frankel was most recently director of comedy for ABC Studios.

[07/01/10 - 06:22 PM]
Development Update: Thursday, July 1
Updates include: "Chaos" falls apart at CBS; Kyle Bornheimer joins NBC's "Perfect Couples"; and cast options are extended on various projects.

[06/01/10 - 06:40 PM]
Development Update: Tuesday, June 1
Updates include: Liz Vassey to depart "CSI"; ABC to revisit "How to Be a Better American"; and Jason Priestley to recur on ABC's "Scoundrels."

[03/27/10 - 12:03 AM]
Development Update: Saturday, March 27
Updates include: Jason Wiles reports for "Boston's Finest" at ABC; Martin Short is a "Tax Man" for FOX; and Christopher Sieber to topline ABC's "It Takes a Village."

[03/25/10 - 02:45 PM]
2010 ABC Program Development Guide - Comedy Series
ABC details its 12 comedy pilots under consideration for next season.

[03/05/10 - 11:10 AM]
Development Update: Friday, March 5 (Part 2)
Updates include: ABC completes its "No Ordinary Family"; Hal Williams finds "True Love" for CBS; and Jimmi Simpson joins FOX's "Breakout Kings."

[03/03/10 - 12:08 AM]
Development Update: Wednesday, March 3
Updates include: Michael Imperioli reports to ABC's "187 Detroit"; Jason Isaacs is "Pleading Guilty" for FOX; and HBO moves forward with its "Game of Thrones."

[02/25/10 - 12:01 AM]
Development Update: Thursday, February 25
Updates include: Jason Jones is a "Better American" for ABC; Scott Patterson books "The Event" at NBC; and "The Deep End's" Ben Lawson joins ABC's "Freshmen."

[01/29/10 - 07:07 PM]
Development Update: Friday, January 29
Updates include: ABC sneaks in two more pilots; NBC orders a third season of "Parks & Recreation"; and Allison Janney joins Matthew Perry on "Mr. Sunshine" at ABC.







HOW TO BE A BETTER AMERICAN (ABC)
DEVELOPMENT HISTORY:
1/29/10 - 12/15/11
STATUS:
previously in development (2010-2011 season)
DEVELOPMENT STAGE:
ordered to pilot
DESCRIPTION:
(from ABC's press release, March 2010) There comes a time in every family man's life when he has to choose between his big screen TV and his family. For Hugh Pell, that day has arrived. Hugh is determined to change his ways and remind his wife why she married him in the first place. Unfortunately, miracles don't happen overnight. Sure, Hugh Pell has some redeeming qualities. They're just buried deep down inside of him. His wife Katie married him because he was sweet, funny and generous. Over the years, however, he's become clueless, misguided and, well, let's face it, just plain rude. In fact, when Hugh goes in for his annual review, he finds out just how unlikable he's become. Hugh's sweet boss has to break it to him that, even though he's very good at his job, he's been passed up for promotion because no one can stand him. Hugh goes home, hoping for some sympathy, but it turns out he's not very popular there, either. He never listens to his wife, misses his son's soccer games, and has completely failed to notice that his 12-year-old daughter is now actually 13. Even his slacker brother Chad, who crashes on their couch, has to admit that living with Hugh is no great shakes. Right then and there, Hugh decides he wants to be a better man. No, not just a better man... a better American. Unfortunately for Hugh, after a lifetime of bad behavior, that's going to be a lot harder than he thinks. Created by Scrubs' Steven Cragg and Brian Bradley, How to Be A Better American introduces hilarious every-dad, Hugh Pell. Despite his best intentions, Hugh is comically incapable of doing the right thing. He's never going to be perfect, but he's trying hard to at least be the guy his wife fell in love with.
PRINCIPAL CAST INFORMATION:
· Dylan Matzke as Martin Pell
· Emily Rose Everhard as Lola Pell
· Jason Jones as Hugh Pell
· Johnny Sneed as Chad Pell
· Missi Pyle as Katie Pell
CREW INFORMATION:
· Adam Bernstein as EP/DIR (Pilot)
· Brian Bradley as CRTR/EP
· Mike Sikowitz as EP
· Steven Cragg as CRTR/EP
GENRE(S):
· comedy (all)
· comedy (single-camera)
STUDIO INFORMATION:
· ABC Studios