Kutcher's 'Idiots,' Katzenberg's 'Hard Times' greenlit at MTV (VAR, THR)

By Nancy Tartaglione

MTV said Tuesday that it has greenlit 5 scripted and reality series along with renewing three freshman shows. The trades report that among the new shows are a project from Ashton Kutcher's Katalyst and "Hard Times," a scripted comedy from David Katzenberg.

The new shows "Downtown Girls," "Megadrive," the Ashton Kutcher-produced "American Idiots," the scripted comedy "Hard Times" and an untitled comedy/variety project starring Rob Hoffman have been ordered to series at the network.

Returning shows "She Really Going Out With Him?," "Silent Library" and "Teen Cribs" have been picked up.

"Hard Times" (referred to by programming chief Tony DiSanto as " 'Superbad' for MTV") is the first single-camera comedy series for MTV and the first scripted series order under the diversification of the network's development slate in the past few months.

"Is MTV shifting and becoming a scripted network? It's really not - it's just that reality is not an ownable position anymore, and it can't be a default position. People expect us to present a diverse slate," DiSanto told Variety.

Katzenberg's "Hard Times" is written by Seth Grahame-Smith and stars Paul Iacono as a late-blooming loser struggling through teenage life.

"I think (David) has got a huge career ahead of him as a director," DiSanto said of Jeffrey Katzenberg's son.

Kutcher's "American Idiots" is an extreme competition reality series featuring a cast of 'Idiots' who re-enact popular viral videos for cash prizes.

The untitled Rob Hoffman show is described as "In Living Color" for the digital age. Hoffman's Urban Ninja online character has garnered more than 30 million views.

"Downtown Girls" is a reality sitcom chronicling the real-life exploits of five twentysomethings in New York. "Megadrive" is also a reality comedy. It follows thrill-seeking host Johnny Pemberton across the country as he tries to master the most extreme rides on land, sea and air.