Live! (Television Series)

''Live! ''is a comedy mockumentary television series created by Ifan Barber and inspired by Saturday Night Live. It follows the production of a weekly live comedy sketch show and the relationships, both platonic and romantic, between the cast and crew. It premiered on NBC on September 19th 2017.

Background
NBC revealed plans to adapt the concept of Saturday Night Live, the network's long running comedy sketch show, into a situation comedy to premier in the show's summer hiatus. Ifan Barber was attached to the project in late 2016 and eventually morphed the idea into a mockumentary series, urging NBC to make it part of their 2017/18 fall line-up. NBC green-lit the project to a season order of 13 episodes in March 2017 and Emma Stone was confirmed as the series' protagonist, Krissie West.

Jon Hamm and Lena Dunham were later attached to the project, but Dunham was dropped at Ifan's request due to personal differences. She was swiftly replaced by Rebel Wilson, who was joined in the cast by Chris Rock and Fortune Feimster.

NBC announced at their upfront panel in summer 2017 that following the conclusion to Maya & Marty season 2, the duo would join ''Live! ''as regular cast members. NBC then also confirmed that former Walking Dead star Austin Nichols would also join the cast. Academy Award winning actress Geena Davis was announced as a regular cast member a week later at the TCA panel, at which Davis was a surprise guest.

Production on the series began in July 2017 and a trailer debuted online in mid August 2017. NBC set a premiere date of September 19th, 2017 and gave the season a back order of 7 additional episodes, bringing the season total to 20. The series premiere was critically acclaimed and became one of the major hits of the fall line up. NBC renewed ''Live! ''for a second season of 20 episodes on January 20th 2018, the same week the show resumed its first season.

Cast
Emma Stone as Krissie West, the star of America Live, a hugely successful sketch comedy series. She's kindhearted and supportive of her colleagues.

Jon Hamm as Max Brush, the show's longest serving cast member who's bitter that his former co-stars have gone onto bigger and better things.

Martin Short as Ron Vaughan, the show's long time director, he's eccentric but passionate and serves as a father figure to the show's cast and crew.

Maya Rudolph as Sandra Gustav, Ron's asssistant, she's shy and lacks personality, but also holds secrets of many cast members, past and present.

Geena Davis as Anna Simpton, the show's creator and producer, she conceived the idea for a late night comedy sketch show during child birth in 1982.

Fortune Feimster as Valerie Sparks, the show's newest cast member and writer, she's clumsy and irritating, but extremely funny and witty.

Austin Nichols as Jackson Bright, considered by the viewers to be Krissie's comedy partner, despite being married the charming Jackson holds deep feelings for Krissie which he's withheld for years.

Rebel Wilson as Michelle Saberman, a former cast member of Aussie Live!, an Australian remake of the series, Anna has her transferred to the American series in an effort to boost international ratings.

Chris Rock as Andre Mathers, the show's outspoken head writer, he has a long term feud with Anna.

Episode 1
It's the week of the show's 35th season premiere and creator/producer Anna is eager to make it the biggest one yet, but when Sandra accidentally hires a Jay-Z impersonator instead of the real Jay-Z, everyone begins to panic. Jackson tries to confide his feelings for Krissie in Max, but finds out that he's dating her.

Episode 2
New cast members Valerie and Michelle arrive and Andre is less than impressed that they're both white. Ron and Sandra go on a city-wide hunt for the perfect costume for a sketch for that week's show. Krissie and Max's date night is infiltrated by Jackson and his wife.

Episode 3
Hollywood Icon Diamond Collins is hosting the show this week, but when she makes high demands, Sandra cracks under pressure. Anna meets with executives at the network in hopes of securing a new long term deal for the show. Andre meets with the executives at the network in hopes of securing the show's cancelation. Valerie and Michelle strike up a friendship which Ron tries to break up so they don't each become typecast. Jackson auditions for a Hollywood film, unaware that Max and Krissie have split up.

Episode 4
Anna reveals that the show has been renewed through to it's 40th season, much to Andre's annoyance. Six new writers, all of whom are black, are hired, much to Andre's delight. Ron confronts Max about his break up with Krissie, who rebounds with the sound guy. Valerie tries to tempt secrets out of Sandra, while Michelle gets to know Jackson.