• June 7, 2001

NBC will premiere the Steve Martin sketch-reality hybrid series "The Downer Channel" July 24.

The half-hour series is set to debut in the 8:30 p.m. Tuesday slot following the Peacock's upcoming hidden-camera reality series "Spy TV." "Downer" is from the Martin/Stein Co. in association with Carsey-Werner-Mandabach.

"Downer Channel" will blend comedy sketches and man-on-the-street interviews in an attempt to explore the comic side of life's bummers.

"It's the perfect show to get you out of an 'up' mood," Martin said.

Jeff Davis ("Whose Line is it Anyway?"), Wanda Sykes ("The Chris Rock Show"), Mary Lynn Rajskub ("The Larry Sanders Show") and Lance Krall are the main cast members attached to the project. In addition to appearing in sketches, the foursome will also be involved in reality-based segments.

Martin, Robert Morton, Steve O'Donnell and Joan Stein serve as exec producers of "The Downer Channel."

- Reuters/Variety