Jonathan Ames, a young Brooklyn writer, is feeling lost. He’s just gone through a painful break-up, thanks in part to his drinking, can’t write his second novel, and carouses too much with his magazine editor. Rather than face reality, Jonathan turns instead to his fantasies – moonlighting as a private detective – because he wants to be a hero and a man of action. The new offbeat HBO comedy series BORED TO DEATH kicks off its eight-episode first season on 7 February at 9pm with new episodes premiering daily on HBO Signature; and 22 February at 9pm with new episodes airing weekly on HBO and HBO HD (now available on Cignal DTV).
Created by Jonathan Ames, BORED TO DEATH follows the misadventures of a fictional Jonathan Ames as he pursues his quixotic dream of emulating his heroes from classic private detective novels.
Jason Schwartzman (The Darjeeling Limited) stars as Jonathan Ames; Ted Danson (Damages) as George Christopher, a high-profile magazine editor and Jonathan’s boss; and Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) as comic book illustrator Ray Hueston, Jonathan’s confidant. Guest stars in this season include Olivia Thirlby, Heather Burns, Kirsten Wiig, Parker Posey, Bebe Neuwirth, Oliver Platt, Patton Oswalt and John Hodgman. In addition to starring in BORED TO DEATH, Jason Schwartzman also performs the show’s opening theme, which he co-wrote with Jonathan Ames.
Mixing noir mystery and neurotic humor, BORED TO DEATH opens with Jonathan’s girlfriend, Suzanne, moving out of their apartment in Brooklyn, on the grounds that Jonathan devotes too much time to smoking and drinking white wine instead of focusing on his writing and their relationship. As Jonathan returns to his empty apartment, a neighbor who witnessed the parting suggests he look for a rebound date on Craigslist (an online classified advertisements website).
After sifting through his abundant supply of noir suspense novels, Jonathan idly decides to offer his services as a private detective on the site instead. As responses to Jonathan’s Craigslist post roll in, he begins taking cases – and usually finds himself injecting his own personal problems into his client’s situation. Jonathan’s needy boss, magazine editor George Christopher, frequently interferes with his newfound career, forcing him to work his cases in increasingly ludicrous ways.
Jonathan also meets regularly with his best friend Ray, a struggling graphic artist who does his best to advise him, but can barely keep his own life together.
BORED TO DEATH creator Jonathan Ames (executive producer, writer) is also the author of eight books, including the graphic novel The Alcoholic (illustrated by Dean Haspiel), I Pass Like Night, The Extra Man, What’s Not to Love?, Wake Up, Sir!, and I Love You More Than You Know.
Subscribers of HBO Signature can complete the full season of BORED TO DEATH within its premiere week – with two new episodes premiering back to back daily at 9pm from Sunday 7 February 2010.
BORED TO DEATH also premieres on HBO and HBO HD (now available on Cignal DTV) on 22 February 2010 at 9pm with two new episodes airing back to back every Monday at the same time. For more play times, log on to www.hboasia.com.
