Paula Pell And Michelle Lawler Developing HBO Comedy About Former Olympic Figure Skater

Longtime Saturday Night Live writer Paula Pell has teamed with frequent collaborator Michelle Lawler for a half-hour comedy, which has been set up at HBO. Written by Pell and Lawler and executive produced by Sue Naegle, the untitled comedy centers on a fallen Olympic figure skater who returns home to Massachusetts to confront her former bullish coach and narcissistic mother who have cashed in on her success. Pell also executive produces, while Lawler serves as co-executive producer.

Pell and Lawler previously co-created with James Anderson (SNL) the online comedy series Hudson Valley Ballers, in which Pell stars and on which Lawler serves as cinematographer. The two also worked together on the short The Parker Tribe. 

Emmy winner Pell is best known for her 20-plus-years of writing on SNL, including a stint as a head writer. She is currently nominated for an Emmy as part of the writing team for SNL‘s 40th anniversary special. In features, Pell wrote Sisters, the high-profile upcoming comedy toplined by SNL alumni Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Lawler is known for her cinematography work on numerous short films including You’re Dead To Me, which won the Imagen Award for Best Short Film in 2014.