MTV launches new series, moves back into scripted comedy

US cable network MTV has launched its fall slate with a raft of reality shows and a move back into scripted comedy.

The broadcaster will produce a 12x30mins comedy Hard Times, a Superbad style series about a 15 year old dealing with troubled teenage life. It is produced by David Katzenberg, son of Dreamworks boss Jeffrey Katzenberg. This is the first time in many years that the Viacom-owned network has developed a scripted comedy project.

The network is also launching American Idiots, a reality series produced by Ashton Kutcher’s Katalyst Media, which sees a group of kids re-enact popular viral videos for cash prizes; Crossroads TV-produced reality series Downtown Girls about a group of five twentysomethings in New York; Lion TV produced Megadrive, which follows stand up comedian Johnny Pemberton’s adventures across the country and a series with She’s The Man star Rob Hoffman.

MTV has also renewed a number of a number of shows including gameshow Silenty Library, which is based on a Japanese gameshow and She Really Going Out With Him?, which is based on the website Hot Chicks With Douchebags.