This is one the LPP crew all got right — ABC has just ordered a new sitcom (formerly titled StartUp) starring director and former Scrubs star Zach Braff to series. As Deadline reports, the show is inspired by the podcast StartUp and also stars Tiya Sircar, Hillary Anne Matthews, Michael Imperioli, Elisha Henig and Audyssie James.
Untitled Zach Braff/Matt Tarses Project
Alex Schuman (Zach Braff) is a brilliant radio journalist, husband, and father of two who is about to plunge into the great unknown. He’s been working on the same radio show for 16 years and is tired of having his most original pitches rejected for fluff pieces. So he decides to put everything on the line, quit, and start a podcast company of his own to tell the stories that he believes in.
His wife, Noush, is not thrilled about giving up his income, but loves Alex and so decides to support his leap, even though she still she has some concerns. She knows he is a great storyteller, but questions his ability to raise money and manage a small business. For this, he assembles a dream team to round out his skills: radio producer, Deirdre Riordan, who’s only a little bit in love with him; and his best friend from high school, fast-talking salesman Eddie Ramirez, a slick numbers guru with a business degree. The team quickly rents some office space that they share with other unlikely entrepreneurs trying to make big things happen, too.
After Alex makes some disastrous pitches for funding, it’s his kids, 11 year-old budding magician Ben and 5 year-old Soraya, who give him the focus and confidence to fight for his dream.