Press Release: Mick Foley Signs Deal With Spike TV
Posted by Larry Csonka on 10.13.2008
Foley involved in new SPIKE TV show…
Lost Colony Entertainment sent out the following press release:
When wrestler-turned-best-selling-author Mick Foley took a job earlier this year as host of World Wrestling Entertainment's "Friday Night Smackdown" show (then on the CW Network, now airing on MyNetwork), he had to back out of the comedy "Hey Dude!," a project he was developing at Amdram Productions along with Producers Gail Bleckman (the show's creator), Jonathan Mankuta, Steve Strangio, and Richard O'Sullivan.
But after only a few short months as "Smackdown" color commentator, Foley came to the conclusion that the job wasn't for him.
"Apparently Mick grew tired of [WWE head] Vince McMahon screaming in his ear," says O'Sullivan. "It was one thing that his schedule with WWE restricted him from working on outside projects, but McMahon's on-set behavior drove Mick to the conclusion that he'd be better off working in a less stressful environment."
Foley worked out the remainder of his contract with WWE, then signed with a rival wrestling organization called TNA (Total Nonstop Action), which airs on the Spike cable network. That deal includes "other opportunities" for Foley to pursue his acting and writing careers.
"As we stated a few months ago, Mick needed to get out of 'the wrestling vacuum' and fortunately for both him and us, that's exactly what he's doing," says Bleckman. "TNA and Spike see this as a great opportunity to let Mick be Mick, and we're delighted because that means we can resume work on 'Hey Dude!,' which was built around Mick's true-life personality."
Now re-attached to the comedy project, Foley will play a character named "Mick Foley," a former pro wrestler and author who is pursuing an acting career.
"We searched for a replacement for Mick," says Strangio. "But the truth is, this thing was created for him and plugging someone else into it just didn't work. We're all extremely happy that he's back onboard."
Currently in talks with network execs to land "Hey Dude!" a home, producers hope to roll by Spring of 2009.
"Mick's a unique personality who needed a unique project to suit him," says Mankuta, who also stars in "Hey Dude!" as Foley's best friend, Marky. "There's nothing quite like 'Hey Dude!' on television and I think people are really gonna respond to that."
Also joining "Hey Dude!" is reality show favorite Rupert Boneham (from the CBS mega-hit "Survivor"). Producers are still in talks with several other noted names to fill out what O'Sullivan says will be "the quirkiest cast on television."
Feel free to scream at me for "not giving it a chance before it even comes on."
Posted By: Guest (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I remember Hey Dude.. Wasn't it on Nickelodeon in the late 80's early 90's.. It was the show that took place on a dude ranch with Christine Taylor
Posted By: Horhay (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I hope I die
Posted By: Mick Foley (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Hey Dude
*cheesy nick 90s theme song*
Posted By: The Rev (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I'm a big Foley mark, but this sounds AWFUL.
Posted By: five star (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Very professional, using a poress release to bash Vince. Not that I'm defending Vince, but try to act like a grownup, Lost Colony.
Posted By: roto dude (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 11:38 AM
hey dude was already a show, mick
dammit
Posted By: BL4L (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Good Me! Looks like it's time for some more natural disasters!
Posted By: GAWD (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 12:18 PM
If it is as good as Hogan Knows Best, then it is more than watchable.
Face it, I watch mobile home remodeling shows, so my attention span is ready for this.
Posted By: thegunisgood (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 12:37 PM
It's a little wild and a little strange...
When you make your home out on the range...
Posted By: pic369 (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 12:41 PM
I used to like Mick Foley....until I read his book. He is a very conceited person with a very corny sense of humor. He is so delusional that he really thinks he is this funny, charismatic leading man type of actor. What a joke! we have been laughing at you this whole time. not with you stupid.
he only made it as a wrestler because the other guys liked to see how bad he would hurt himself just to "fit in"
fuckin' fraud
Posted By: Polish Post (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 12:50 PM
If they do it in similar fashion to Extras, with cameos from a bunch of B or C -listers it might....
who am i kidding, it'll still blow
Posted By: casual_monday_mayhem (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Start your horse up and come along.... cuz you can't get a ride if you can't hold on... So what exactly is this Hey Dude? Is it a remake of the old Nick show? Is it a new reality show? Whats the deal-i-yo?
Posted By: Toddo (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 01:21 PM
What an unprofessional press release. Talk about desperate...
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 01:24 PM
mick foley plays a charecter named mick foley who is exactly the same as the real mick foley but this mick foley is a fictionalized version of mick foley MICK FOLEY
Posted By: mick foley (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 01:36 PM
survivor isnt a megahit anymore, idiots
welcome to 1999 heres your tammogotchi, dammit
Posted By: BL4L (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 01:40 PM
I wonder if I'll start being stalked by the 'Razzi now..
Posted By: Noel Foley (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Trust me as an insider in the entertainment world, I read the first few scripts..."Hey, Dude!" is NOT nor in any way anything to do with the old Nickelodeon show, nor will it be a cheap crappy show just to feed an ego...it is going to be Seinfeld on Speed...trust me...
Posted By: Guest#5080 (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Its a little wild and a little strangeee
when you make your home out on the rangeeeee
start your horse and come alonggggg
but you cant get a ride if you cant hold onnnn
Singin, Yippie Tie Yie Ey!!!
Posted By: natedoggcata (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 02:53 PM
I read the first script (I work at a talent agency in Los Angeles that I can't name). While I can't legally disclose any specifics, (I signed a non-disclosure), I agree with the poster who said it will be funny and is not related to the old Nick at Nite show (Hey, Dude! is the "working title"). From the script I read, it's a lot like "Curb Your Enthusiasm" mixed in with "Family Guy" type very edgy pop cultureish humor...some VERY cool sight-gags (ala "Naked Gun" films)and one of the stars/writers used to work on Saturday Night Live, and the show (if sticking to the type of script I read), will be very innovative and creative and will be an ensemble cast of which Foley will be one of three main players...Rupert Bonham (Survivor) will be only a small part, not a lead...it's also not a reality show like Hogan's, it's a scripted sitcom and has a lot of major networks interested. I know, on paper it sounds like another cheesy wrestler reality show, (that was *my* first impression UNTIL I READ the script), but it's more of in the way Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) made a transition into mainstream films and dropped the wrestling over-act for mainstream. His co-star (Jonathan Mankuta) is being compared by "insiders" to Adam Sandler (and kind of resembles him too), and has appeared on Scrubs, SNL, and a few other sitcoms. Amdram Productions (the company producing the show) is a newer company, but they seem to have some serious bite and have some interesting buzz about them...
I say give the show a chance, the first pilot script was friggin' HILARIOUS...if The Rock could do it, Foley can do it...Mark my words, this actually will not only be watchable, it will be VERY funny...
Posted By: Guest#7394 (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Trust me as an insider in the entertainment world, I read the first few scripts..."Hey, Dude!" is NOT nor in any way anything to do with the old Nickelodeon show, nor will it be a cheap crappy show just to feed an ego...it is going to be Seinfeld on Speed...trust me...
Posted By: Guest#5080 (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Piss off and work on your lying skills.
Posted By: King Nikolai (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 03:19 PM
I'm surprized no one has pointed out that Mick keeps telling the same 10 wrestling related stories over and over again.
We read it in the book, Mick. It isn't funny anymore how you listened to Stan Lane having sex or Robert Fuller's chicken.
Posted By: chris (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 03:33 PM
The thing that gives it a shot at being good is that it wasn't developed by Foley, it was written FOR him...Richard O'Sullivan is funny too...I read his myspace blogs...
Posted By: ready to rumble (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Singin' Yippe-ty-yi-yea!
Yippe-ty-yi-what?
Like the cowboys say!
Sing it with me now!
Yippe-ty-yi-yea
(Get along little doggies)
'Till the break of day!
Posted By: Lawrence (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 05:09 PM
wait a minute!!!
Hey Dude! was an old Nickelodeon show!!
lack of CREATIVE show titles! I do NOT approve!
Posted By: anonymous (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Wat an absolute hor he is
Posted By: speeling duznt matta (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Hey,Dude! is only a "working title", they may change it by the time the show airs...I read in an interview the writers of the show never knew about the (awful) Nik show of the `90s with the same name...if the show is as funny as they say, I'll forgive them...
Posted By: Roper (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 06:07 PM
I'll give it a shot...I can see Foley in a sitcom, he can be pretty funny...worked for The Rock...as long as it's not a reality show like Hulk Hogan did...Wrestling stars seem to be the next hot Hollywood property (besides super heroes)...
Posted By: Calibur king (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 06:10 PM
hey dude?>>> was that not dude love mankind and cactus jack?
epic not tunning in to this
Posted By: tyronewashington (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 06:29 PM
I'll give it a watch...Mick needed to get away from Vince...If someone offered me a role in a sitcom I'd JUMP at it if I were Mick...
Posted By: Ike the great (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Mick is cool in my book, I'll watch the show... :)
Posted By: okey dokey wench69 (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 06:32 PM
To the LA talent agency guy who read the script and said it's alot like Curb Your Enthusiasm, I guess I can see Mick as a Larry David type "loveable loser" character if they do it right...this may be good after all...
Posted By: killed Kenny (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 06:37 PM
" "Apparently Mick grew tired of [WWE head] Vince McMahon screaming in his ear," says O'Sullivan "
Posted By: Black Scorpion (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 07:40 PM
hey man i only check 411 to see if a wrestler died
i havent watched raw since 2006
Posted By: BL4L (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 04:16 PM
WOW BL4L You really are a liar.
You said you only come here to look for dead wrestler news.... well Mick Foley isn't dead. Nothing here mentions him being dead.
You sir are an ignorant fool who should keep his opinions to yourself.
You are no over here and will never be over here.
Jerkoff
Posted By: BL4L is pwned (Guest) on October 14, 2008 at 04:51 AM
The thing that gives it a shot at being good is that it wasn't developed by Foley, it was written FOR him...Richard O'Sullivan is funny too...I read his myspace blogs...
Posted By: ready to rumble (Guest) on October 13, 2008 at 04:05 PM
since when are myspace blogs good credentials for writing a television show?
Next thing you'll tell me that someone like Freddie Prinze Jr will be working for WWE creative....... wait.........
DAMN!
Posted By: huh? (Guest) on October 14, 2008 at 05:00 AM
My point is that Richard O'Sullivan is the prez of Lost Colony Entertainment, who has worked on many films and TV projects with a lot of folks...I just happened to mention that he (as a writer) has a good sense of humor on his blogs, so if he's a writer for a TV show, I have more confidence in it than if Joe Average was writing it...the guys' an experienced producer...
Posted By: ready to rumble (Guest) on October 14, 2008 at 01:31 PM
