• by David Goetzl , January 5, 2007

Two edgy Comedy Central shows will go into syndication this fall with their frequent risqué content tweaked to meet broadcast standards. "Reno 911" and "Chappelle's Show" will be distributed by MGM to stations on a straight barter basis.

MGM will keep three minutes of the ad time per half-hour to sell itself, and give stations four minutes to sell locally.

Much like HBO's "Sex and the City," both Comedy Central shows will undergo similar judicious editing before their syndie debut. The shows will be "conformed for broadcast standards," an MGM representative says.

The comedies are the first two shows to be syndicated by MGM under a new arrangement with New Line Television. The partners are looking to capitalize on what is believed to be a dearth of compelling comedies in the near-term syndication pipeline.

"Reno 911," recently renewed for a fifth season on Comedy Central, could increase its appeal to station executives if a movie adaptation of the show, "Reno 911: Miami"--scheduled to be released next month--performs well.

"Chappelle's Show" ran for two seasons on Comedy Central.