From “NBC Tapping N.Y. Scene to Beef Up Comedy Rolls” by Nellie Andreeva, in the Hollywood Reporter:

NBC is strengthening its comedy talent roster, signing development deals with New York’s popular Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, Perrier-winning comedian Demetri Martin as well as little-known New Zealand folk parody duo Flight of the Conchords.

All three pacts were spearheaded by Lisa Leingang, who has re-upped her deal with NBC Universal TV to continue as New York-based producer in charge of developing programing and recruiting acting and writing talent on the East Coast and in Europe.

In her search for new faces and voices, Leingang works with NBC executive vp casting Marc Hirschfeld on the talent side and with NBC Uni TV co-presidents Angela Bromstad and David Kissinger on the writing side.

Ah, but first things first! Before he says anything about our new talent, Hirschfeld takes time to briefly slobber over his fellow TV exec:

“She is totally tapped into the New York comedy scene,” Hirschfeld said of Leingang. “She is an incredible resource, both on the writing and talent side, which a great combination.”

Glad we got that squared away! (And glad we have our priorities in order!) We know it’s Hollywood Reporter, but couldn’t they stash all that backpatting and logrolling at the end of the piece? After all, the execs aren’t the ones on camera if any of these projects bear fruit.

Since its launch in 1999, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, founded by the UCB troupe of Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh, Matt Besser and Ian Roberts, has grown into a major development playground for the hottest sketch, improv and standup comedians and comedic actors in New York — both up-and-coming and established — with more than 25 shows a week.

TALENT RESOURCE

It was Hirschfeld who first recognized UCB’s potential as a talent resource, and through Leingang’s relationship with the theater’s principals, NBC and UCB signed a one-year first-look deal. As part of the pact, UCB will pitch show ideas to all NBC Universal networks. (The company already has presented a concept to Bravo.) Additionally, UCB will hold a showcase for NBC executives this month, and some of the shows on its stage, which are considered TV-ready, would be filmed as presentations.

“They really curate the New York scene unbelievably well,” Leingang said of UCB. “It’s a constant flow of new fresh voices and performers, so it just seemed like the perfect opportunity.”

Martin, who last year became only the second American to win a Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, has performed at the UCB Theater. His performances there have included his Perrier-winning one-man show, “If I …”

Under his development deal, Martin will write and star in a single-camera half-hour project for the network inspired by his life in New York.

“He’s got a really unique voice,” Hirschfeld said. “He is very not your typical standup comic. He is very intellectual but at the same time, there is a real openness to him, too.” >