CNBC is developing an animated series based on the comic strip CEO Dad, which could become a half-hour series on the business news cable network in the fall.
Sources said the network will likely air five one-minute shorts that will be cut from a pilot based on the cartoon written by Los Angeles executive recruiter Tom Stern. A half-hour series to air on CNBC could follow, though it's by no means assured.
CEO Dad centers on Frank Pitt, chief executive of a Styrofoam peanut manufacturer in Pennsylvania, who tries to balance work life and home life with his wife, Chloe, 10-year-old son J.D., 7-year-old daughter Grace, and dog Taylor. His family believes he's more focused on work than home life.
"CEO Dad is the kind of man whose prenup has a noncompete clause," Stern said. "The irony of the situation is that his family is everything he hopes and dreams it would be if he weren't in it."
Stern said he was a workaholic CEO dad himself until a home break-in nearly took his wife's life and he was held at gunpoint--an act witnessed by his 5-year-old daughter. After that, he became a "comedic evangelist" and set out to bring humor to others' lives.
"When you lose balance (in your life), the first thing to go is your sense of humor," he said. "I'm trying to reach all the people who are working too hard to get them to laugh at themselves and find a little bit of healing."
It wasn't immediately clear where CNBC would slot either the shorts or a series, though a likely destination would be prime time. It would mark the first time the business channel has delved into animation.
But it's not the only news channel that has taken the plunge into alternative programming. Fox News Channel recently picked up 13 weekly episodes of The 1/2 Hour News Hour, a satirical series somewhat like The Daily Show With Jon Stewart with a conservative bent.
Stern also has a book, CEO Dad: How to Avoid Getting Fired by Your Family, set for release in April, with plans for a promotional and book-signing tour.
Comments (4)
Too close to reality - won't be on long.
I don't think that it will make it, too much like real life...I'm tired and the struggle between family and business and I certainly don't want to try to escape and watch t.v. about it!
cartoons are cool.
The show sounds pretty good.