“The Tramp” an original comedy pilot starring John O’Hurley (Seinfeld, Family Feud) and the comedian/Sirius XM host Godfrey, will make its West Coast Debut in the Pilots category at this year’s Dances with Films Festival at the TCL Chinese Theater, June 13-23, 2019.
The dynamic duo of Brian VanHooker and Steve Quistgaard are the driving force of the comedic Turtle with Lemonade Productions which created “The Tramp.”. Working together since the age of 15, when they made their first pilot, the two have produced a variety of creative ventures, including the online shorts “Little Known Moments in American History” and the animated pilot/comic book “Barnum & Elwood” in the almost 20 years that have since ensued. However, they consider “The Tramp” to be their most ambitious project to date.
The premise of “The Tramp” centers on out-of-work, narcissistic, game show host Chip Turner who has finally found a way to get his big comeback - provided he agrees to star in a new reality show where he will live as a homeless person on the streets of New York City.
The series is done in a mockumentary-style format that will follow Chip as he tries to adapt to street-living and contend with many obstacles; one of those is his executive producer Martin Miles who knows that to make “The Tramp” succeed, he'll have to ensure Chip gets down in the gutter to represent the real struggles that homeless people face, even if he has to manufacture those hardships for the camera.
“Overall, “The Tramp” is a series about survival.,” says VanHooker. “While Chip entered into this new reality show out of a desperate desire to rekindle his career, he has no idea just how complicated and dangerous street living can be.”
Adds Quistgaard, “As the series progresses, Chip’s naivete will give way to increasing bitterness over his state of affairs. When his reality show becomes more popular, Chip achieves exactly what he wants: relevance. But at a higher price than he bargained for.”
Seasoned performers O’Hurley and Godfrey have a field day with this fish-out-of-water comedic saga.
“The Tramp” will compete in the pilots category at this year’s Dances with Films Festival at the TCL Chinese Theater on Saturday, June 22ndat 2:15PM.