ABC Develop Geico Ad Cavemen Into TV Project

A.J. Frutkin

MARCH 02, 2007 -

As network comedy continues to suffer through an extended down-cycle, it's no surprise that the commercials running in those sitcoms often are funnier than the shows themselves. What is surprising is that ABC is now looking to those ads--specifically, the Geico cavemen ads--for inspiration.

The network is developing a half-hour comedy project based on the Geico ads. Produced by ABC TV Studio, the project revolves around three thirtysomething "cavemen" who battle bigotry in modern-day Atlanta.

The pilot was written by Joe Lawson, the copywriter who came up with the cavemen ads at the Richmond, Va.-based Martin Agency.

Ooooookay...

Well this is certainly interesting....what's next, the Gecko gets his own talkshow?

Dear God, I don't even know WHAT to feel about this!! Is it good, bad, a TRAINWRECK?@!!!!! One thing's for sure: it's a sign of the times!!!!

I do like those commercials so this will be interesting. I always thought a sitcom about computer repair guys would work. I remember those old AOL commercials, "My computer makes the sound of a Yeti mating call".

I love the commercial where the caveman is at the psychologist's office and he puts his mom on speaker phone LOL

I love the commercial where the caveman is at the psychologist's office and he puts his mom on speaker phone LOL

Me too....

I also love the one where he's at the airport and he strolls by the picture of himself on the wall in a Geico ad, and then comes back to look it again and smiles.

Dear God, I don't even know WHAT to feel about this!! Is it good, bad, a TRAINWRECK?@!!!!! One thing's for sure: it's a sign of the times!!!!

Oh, stop being so overly dramatic!

It is NOT a trainwreck....actually, it could be rather interesting.

Oh, stop being so overly dramatic!

It is NOT a trainwreck....actually, it could be rather interesting.

On the surface, I agree. But has this EVER been done before? I brings up so many questions, such as: will the Geico ads featuring cavemen still run? And won't other advertisers get jealous and turn the pressure on ABC to center scripted programming around their ad icons?! I just get a really bad feeling about the wars that could begin between advertisers and the network.

On the surface, I agree. But has this EVER been done before? I brings up so many questions, such as: will the Geico ads featuring cavemen still run? And won't other advertisers get jealous and turn the pressure on ABC to center scripted programming around their ad icons?! I just get a really bad feeling about the wars that could begin between advertisers and the network.

No more outlandish than the premise of PASSIONS

No more outlandish than the premise of PASSIONS

Oh, low blow!

We should be praying for "Passions" right now, not kicking it when it's down.

PRIMETIME FOR PASSIONS! PRIMETIME FOR PASSIONS!

Cheer with me now

On the surface, I agree. But has this EVER been done before? I brings up so many questions, such as: will the Geico ads featuring cavemen still run? And won't other advertisers get jealous and turn the pressure on ABC to center scripted programming around their ad icons?! I just get a really bad feeling about the wars that could begin between advertisers and the network.

This could open up a lot of possilbilties that's for sure.

Oh, low blow!

We should be praying for "Passions" right now, not kicking it when it's down.

PRIMETIME FOR PASSIONS! PRIMETIME FOR PASSIONS!

Cheer with me now

It could work if they go back to the original concept and start over.

The cavemen too, imo.

I take that back.

I think the Cavemen would be better as a movie. And make them ambiguously gay.

I take that back.

I think the Cavemen would be better as a movie. And make them ambiguously gay.

That reminds of 'The Ambiguously Gay Duo' animated skits on SNL.

That reminds of 'The Ambiguously Gay Duo' animated skits on SNL.

I find the idea of the Geico Cavemen "experimenting" kind of HAWT!

Wow, I agree it's obvious that the caveman already ARE ambigulously gay, but you DO realize the controversy that would erupt if 1) CAVEMEN were portrayed as gay, don't you? GLAAD would have a field day.