TBS is heading for the express checkout lane with 10 ITEMS OR LESS, a new late-night comedy series that combines scripted and improvisational elements. The series, co-created by acclaimed comedy improv actor John Lehr (Memron), goes behind the scenes at a family-owned grocery store and is supposedly pretty hilarious. It premieres on Monday, Nov. 27, at 11 p.m. (ET/PT).

In addition to the show's cast of improvisational actors, 10 ITEMS OR LESS also features some unexpected cast members, by virtue of the fact that the series is shot in a real, working grocery store. 'The store is open for business, says Lehr, 'so actual customers are shopping around us as we shoot. We're all dressed in uniform, so people are asking us where certain products are shelved. Often this stuff gets into the show.

In 10 ITEMS OR LESS, Lehr plays Leslie Pool, who returns to his native Ohio to run the Greens & Grains grocery store he has just inherited from his father. His somewhat dysfunctional staff includes Carl (Robert Clendenin That 70s Show), the sweet, doofus stockboy who serves as Leslie's sidekick; Yolanda (Roberta Valderrama ER), the straight-talking dominant force in the produce department; Buck (Greg Davis Jr. The King of California), the bagger who is looking towards the future by attending night school; Ingrid (Kirsten Gronfield Steve Saves L.A.), the quirky, soft-spoken customer service representative who lives for Renaissance festivals; Richard (Christopher Liam Moore Judging Amy), the dignified cashier who dreams of becoming a professional ice dancer; and Todd (Chris Payne Gilbert The Broken Hearts Club), the sexy butcher who hopes to one day to be a stock car driver.

Seeking to undermine Greens & Grains is Leslie's arch nemesis, Amy (Jennifer Elise Cox Lovespring International), who manages the Super Value Mart down the street. He has known her since high school, where she was the popular beauty queen and he a nerd.
While there have been shows that utilized improvisation before, 10 ITEMS OR LESS is somewhat unique, as executive producer Robert Hickey explains, '10 ITEMS OR LESS is an improv show, but what is different about this series is that it is long-form improv. It is a combination of strong stories with true spontaneous improvisation. We are pushing comedy in a different direction.

The improvisational aspect of 10 ITEMS OR LESS lends itself to a unique production plan. As Lehr explains, 'Robert, Nancy and I write detailed outlines for each show, but we don't show the script to the actors. The actors get the situations, but no lines. Oddly, because the show is improvised, the three of us have to write more. If an actor takes the show in a new direction, we have to be flexible and adjust the show accordingly.

'By taking away the script while we shoot, the actors are better able to go down roads that are off the beaten comedy path, says Hower. 'Often, each take will be completely different with completely different jokes. It makes for more choices in editing and, we believe, more out-of-the-box comedy.


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