TV vet readies 'Ralph' for Fox



Josef Adalian, STAFF

Helmer-producer-scribe Todd Holland has inked a two-year, seven-figure production and development deal with 20th Century Fox-- and he's not wasting any time getting to work.



Three-time Emmy winner Holland ("Malcolm in the Middle," "The Larry Sanders Show") is teaming up with Ralph Macchio ("The Karate Kid," "My Cousin Vinny") to co-create a hybrid single camera-multicamera laffer for Fox Broadcasting tentatively dubbed "The Ralph Show."


"It's the ultimate bastard child of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' with a little 'Larry Sanders' thrown in," Holland told Daily Variety. Matt Ember ("Grace Under Fire") is in talks to come on board as a co-creator and possible showrunner of the skein; Holland would direct.


Project will be one of Holland's first priorities under his new deal, which calls for him to direct, write, develop and produce programming for 20th via his WalkingBud shingle. Holland has previously had deals with Regency TV and, most recently, a joint deal with Regency and 20th; new pact reps the first time he's been exclusive to 20th.


Holland said 20th's support during the filming of critical fave "Wonderfalls" cemented his desire to be in business with the studio.


"They're courageous in development and courageous in production," Holland said. "I was there in the trenches with them on 'Wonderfalls,' asking for a little more money or more time, and they always stepped up to the plate in order to make a better program. They're the HBO of free TV."


Gary Newman, prexy of 20th, said Holland has "proven himself in every form of filmed entertainment."


"He is remarkably versatile in what he does, ranging from the broadest physical comedy to drama pieces to genre pieces," Newman said.


'Malcolm' roots


As for "The Ralph Show," Holland and Macchio first met up after Macchio's short film "Love Thy Brother" premiered at Sundance in 2002. Not long thereafter, Macchio ended up spending a week on location with Holland to observe him directing a seg of "Malcolm in the Middle."


"He sat there for all six days on a shoot in the desert, and he was a total trooper," Holland said. "We were having a drink after, and he started telling me all these stories about his life, and I kept saying, 'That's funny' and 'That's funny.' "


Holland and Macchio have been working on the idea on and off for two years now, and recently put it all together into a project.


Mostly Macchio


"The Ralph Show" will be completely scripted but will feature Macchio playing himself -- i.e., a 42-year-old married father of two living a middle-class existence in Long Island. Macchio's experiences with what Holland calls the "humorous and vaguely humiliating aspect of celebrity" will also be a focus of the skein.


"I'll be playing myself, in my life, and that will be juxtaposed with my working on a fledgling (fake) sitcom," said Macchio, who describes himself as "the everyday dad you can still rent at Blockbuster."


Holland said for Macchio, that sometimes means civilians confusing him with other actors or calling out "Hey, Chachi!" when he's getting the morning paper.


Endeavor-repped Holland said the skein will "manipulate the half-hour form" by featuring some segments shot as a traditional four-camera laffer (think "Raymond") and others shot with a more verite feel (think "Arrested Development"). Despite the show-within-a-show element, skein will not be a behind-the-scenes look at showbiz but instead will focus mostly on Macchio's family life.


Macchio, repped by Untitled Entertainment, said Holland's visual expertise will be key in making the show work. "His style always supports the substance of what he directs," he said

just what we need. another sitcom about a wacky dad. joy.

Where EMilio estevez be at???!!! I like him!

Mr. Miagi would be proud

Wax-on, wax-off.

Ace said:

, I remember that scene