Move over Saturday Night Live, a new series is in the works to reinvent late night comedy.

NBC has been struggling to produce scripted comedic content. Returning next year are only two sitcoms, Parks & Recreation and Community, both of which are nearing the end of their runs.  With attempts to save their comedy slot, Lou Wallach, a former Comedy Central senior vice president will be overseeing the upcoming late night sketch series.

While working for Comedy Central, Wallach helped oversee Chappelle's Show, The Colbert Report, Crank Yankers and other successful shows. Lou Wallah signed an overall deal with Universal Television's Alternative Studio. Under the pact, Wallach will develop, produce and consult on comedies of different formats, primarily for NBC but also possibly for other networks.

Unlike Saturday Night Live, the untitled sketch series will not be taped lived. Other than that, no specific premise has been determined for the show. Rather, NBC is out to find their talent first and plans to mold the show around the characters they discover.

The casting process is being described as in line with both SNL and NBC's Last Comic Standing scouring clubs, the Upright Citizens Brigade, Second City and The Improv.

Executives are hoping to create a series similar to In Living Color or The Carol Burnett Show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

NBC will be searching for both seasoned and fresh talent in the form of writers, performers, and comedians. Following in the footsteps of SNL, the new series hopes to be a foundation for great comedians, similar to the start-ups of Tina Fey (30 Rock) and Jimmy Fallon (Late Night.)

Wallach and his team will be conducting their search in major cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Montreal and Toronto.  

Tags: snl