Pivot Greenlights Second Season Of Josh Thomas’ Scripted Comedy ‘Please Like Me’

Just days prior to the August 1st network launch and the debut of its first scripted series, “Please Like Me,” Pivot (Pivot.tv), the new TV network from Participant Media targeting Millennials (18-34), has ordered a sophomore season with 10 original half-hours. Season 2 of the series is being co-produced by Pivot and Pigeon Fancier Productions/John & Josh International, in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s upstart digital channel ABC2, and will shoot in Australia. The announcement was made today by Evan Shapiro, President of Pivot.

The Pivot Original Series is inspired in part by actual painfully awkward events of the life of 25-year-old Australian critically-acclaimed comedian Josh Thomas who created, wrote and executive produced the coming-of-age series. Season one will air as a series marathon starting at 8:00 pm ET/7:00 pm CT with a total of six back-to-back episodes.

Continuing Pivot’s mission to spark conversation and inspire change, “Please Like Me” sheds light on a variety of relevant issues that impact the Millennial audience and deals with topics including quarter-life crises, family relationships, sexuality and mental health and the search for the perfect recipe.

Shapiro said: “Everyone who sees ‘Please Like Me’ falls in love with Josh and this series because it’s a hysterical, authentic snap shot of a quarter life crisis in the 21st Century. Josh is a true star in the making, with an original voice that is perfect for Pivot and our audience. We are enormously excited to bring his awkward genius to the world and to be producing a second season with him, his cast and the Australian Broadcast Network.”

Thomas commented: “I’m so happy that we get to make a second season of ‘Please Like Me.’ I have loads of ideas for season two and I think it’ll be super fun. The whole Pivot line-up is great and I’m excited that they’ve trusted me with their money. I hope I don’t spoil everything with my ideas and mediocre face, which is currently ruining the days of thousands of bus commuters all over America.”

“Please Like Me” is a Pivot Original series in association with Pigeon Fancier Productions/John and Josh International and Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The series was created and written by Josh Thomas, produced by Todd Abbott and directed by Matthew Saville. Executive Producers are Josh Thomas, Todd Abbott and Kevin Whyte. Executive Producers for Pivot will be Jeff Skoll and Holly Hines. Hines will oversee production of season two for Pivot. The series also stars Thomas Ward, Debra Lawrance, David Roberts, Judi Farr, Caitlin Stasey, Wade Briggs, Nikita Leigh-Pritchard, Renee Lim and Andrew S. Gilbert. This marks the series’ U.S. television debut. Josh Thomas has been called by critics: “brilliantly personal and so very sharply observed” and “brave, funny and thoroughly entertaining.” He was also the recipient of the 2010 GQ Comedian of the Year Award.

About Pivot
Pivot (Pivot.tv), launching August 1st, is a new television network from Participant Media serving passionate Millennials (18-34) with a diverse slate of talent and a mix of original series, acquired programming, films and documentaries. Pivot focuses on entertainment that sparks conversation, inspires change and illuminates issues through engaging content and, through its website TakePart.com, connects audiences to a wealth of content and customizable actions. Pivot is also changing the media landscape, available via traditional Pay TV subscription and integrating a Live and on demand streaming option via its interactive, downloadable Pivot APP. In both content and delivery, Pivot is TV for The New Greatest Generation. Follow Pivot on Twitter at @pivot_tv and on Facebook at facebook.com/pivottelevision.

About Participant Media
Participant is a global entertainment company founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll to focus on feature film, television, publishing and digital content that inspires social change. Participant’s more than 40 films include GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, SYRIANA, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, FOOD, INC., WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’, THE HELP, CONTAGION and LINCOLN. Through its films, social action campaigns, digital network TakePart.com and Pivot, its new television network for Millennials, Participant seeks to entertain, encourage and empower every individual to take action.