Tabloid News Goes Hollywood: A Mockumentary Comedy

A comedy series drawing from the legendary Weekly World News is in the works, spearheaded by Robert Ben Garant and Cathy Shim, who previously collaborated on Reno 911!. This six-episode season, commissioned by Weekly World News Studios, is backed by $2.5 million from six private investors. Production is scheduled to commence in early February in Simi Valley, California.

The series will adopt the improvised mockumentary format familiar to fans of Reno 911!, focusing on the dedicated reporters of Weekly World News. Known for its coverage of extraordinary topics like Bat Boy and alien encounters, the publication's reporters will be depicted treating even the most outlandish stories with complete seriousness, despite their own professional ambitions and compelling personalities. They are committed to upholding the paper's reputation as "The World's Only Reliable News."

This project represents Robert Ben Garant's first series since the Reno 911! revival six years ago. Amidst a competitive comedy market, Garant and Shim are proactively carving out opportunities, inspired by independent production models. The producers intend to market the series to platforms and distributors once footage is available, noting that its production cost makes it accessible to various outlets.

As of 2026-10-23T22:18:14+00:00, the series will use "scriptments" due to its improvisational nature, with the potential for the season to extend beyond six episodes. While not qualifying for California tax credits, the producers prioritized local cast and crew. Garant expressed his lifelong admiration for Weekly World News, emphasizing that the series will treat every story as factual, with reporters earnestly pursuing these incredible narratives despite the paper's often-mocked reputation.