TruTV has ordered a new scripted series from Bobcat Goldthwait with the working title Bobcat Goldthwait’s Messed Up Stories. According to the network, “each episode will tell a different story in a different genre – including 1970s-era science fiction, psychological thriller, romantic comedy and reality – and will parody pop culture norms and exploit the awkwardness of its flawed characters.” Sounds completely original, much like Goldthwait himself. His most recent major project was the documentary Call Me Lucky, about standup Barry Crimmins. He’s also recently directed comedy specials from Eugene Mirman, Cameron Esposito, and Marc Maron, as well as a number of episodes of Maron and Those Who Can’t. And of course he wrote and directed God Bless America a few years back, a movie about a terminally-ill middle aged man and a teenage girl going on a country-wide murder spree.
“Folks often call my movies dark, but I don’t see them that way. To me, the rest of the world is just too goddamn light,” Goldthwait said. “Messed Up Stories will examine accepted truths and hypocrisies of our culture and turn them inside out. Does love conquer all? Does fame and money buy you happiness? Not always.” The eight-episode season will premiere in 2017.