Sarah Silverman & Group Nine Studios' Jash Release New Show "Please Understand Me"On Facebook Watch
Executive Producer Sarah Silverman Narrates New Series with a Fresh Take on Couples Therapy
LOS ANGELES, CA (01 Jun 2018)
JASH, a division of Group Nine Studios, and Sarah Silverman, comedian and executive producer, announced today the premiere of “PLEASE UNDERSTAND ME” -- a new five-episode comedy series created for Facebook's video platform, Facebook Watch, from Steven Feinartz (The Bitter Buddha, SXSW Comedy with Natasha Leggero, Trump vs Bernie) and Ahamed Weinberg (Comedy Bang Bang, I Love You, America, Ahamed's Ramadan Diary).
Each stand-alone episode features two purposefully mismatched up-and-coming comedians who hash out the problems of their fake relationship with a real therapist who is in on the joke. Comedy ensues as the therapists attempt to conduct counseling sessions while the comedians reveal on the fly the backstory of their relationship right in front of their eyes.
“Ahamed and Steve have created something I’ve never seen before and I love getting to be a part of it,” said Sarah Silverman, Executive Producer.
"One of the thrills of our work here at JASH (Group Nine), is discovering and cultivating amazing new comedic voices. 'PLEASE UNDERSTAND ME' is the culmination of those efforts, starting with the wholly original and fertile minds of Ahamed and Steven, the brilliant and nurturing instincts of our beloved partner, Sarah Silverman, and the adept and skillful navigation of (Executive Producer) Max Broude and the JASH team,” said Daniel Kellison, chief creative officer at JASH, a division of Group Nine Studios.
Audiences will hear about absurd date stories, offbeat sexual histories, uncomfortable moments, fights, and literally anything the comedians improvise in the moment. Nothing is off limits in these relationships as the therapists struggle to give their professional advice and keep up with their absurd “clients.” As the sessions unfold, the stories come to life in the form of stylistic re-enactments, giving viewers a picture of this fantastical world, in which anything can happen.
EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS:
“ISMAEL AND STEPH” starring Ismael Loutfi and Steph Tolev
A Muslim and a Christian are placed on this Earth with one ultimate purpose: to jump into things and figure out the important details later.
“RORY AND NATALIE” starring Rory Scovel and Natalie Palamides
Two siblings are sentenced to court-mandated therapy after a ridiculous clash over their deceased father's inheritance.
“CHAD AND JUZO” starring Chad Damiani and Juzo Yoshida
A Broom Master and his apprentice face their biggest spiritual test yet: the undeniable allure of a vacuum salesman.
“FRED AND MO” starring Fred Melamed and Mo Collins
A TV Doctor's free spirited new wife battles with her husband's over-inflated ego.
“PUNKIE AND AHAMED” starring Punkie Johnson and Ahamed Weinberg
Hopelessly mismatched but nonetheless committed, Ahamed and Punkie work through the struggles of pregnancy, alcoholism, and religion.
The show is directed by Steven Feinartz and Ahamed Weinberg and produced by JASH (a Group Nine Company), Sarah Silverman, and Amy Zvi. “PLEASE UNDERSTAND ME” airs each Wednesday on its dedicated Facebook Watch show page, and will also be distributed by Group Nine’s Thrillist and Executive Producer, Sarah Silverman. Fans can find “PLEASE UNDERSTAND ME” on Facebook Watch by going to the Watch tab on their desktop or mobile, or on Facebook’s TV apps. Viewers can also add the show to their Watchlist by following the “PLEASE UNDERSTAND ME” show page to enable notifications for new episodes.
About Group Nine:
Group Nine Media is one of the world's largest digital-first media companies and the #1 publisher on Facebook Watch, boasting over 5 billion monthly video views [source: Crowd platform specific analytics modules] and reaching 81% of U.S. adults in their 20s [source: Nielsen]. With over 120 million social engagements each month [source: ListenFirst Media], Group Nine's brands are built for consumption on the platforms where young people spend the majority of their time. Group Nine is home to NowThis (the no. 1 most watched social news brand in the world), The Dodo (the no. 1 animal brand on social), Thrillist (the most trusted digital brand in food, drink, travel & entertainment) and Seeker (the no. 1 most engaged science publisher in the U.S. on social). Group Nine recently acquired Emmy nominated, Cannes Lion and Sundance Film Festival award-winning production studio, JASH.
About Facebook Watch:
Facebook Watch is a place to discover and enjoy shows on Facebook. Home to a wide range of shows – from scripted comedy and drama, to competition and reality series, to individual creators and live sports – Facebook Watch is a video platform where episodic content, community and conversation come together. This is a personalized viewing experience, where you can discover new series based on what your friends are watching, and catch up on the shows you follow. Facebook Watch is available for free on mobile apps across Apple and Android, on desktop, laptop and on TV apps listed here: http://videoapp.fb.com/.