The 10-part sketch show, called 'No Signal', is written, produced and directed by Pete Cain and Louis Bogue, former advertising creatives and now directors with their own production company, .
Cain, who also works as a stand-up comedian, said that although there were many aspects of working in advertising agencies that he hated, he felt privileged to have worked with some amazing people and had learned a lot from them.
"After writing the 10 episodes we thought we'd have to rewrite loads of it, but when we went back we only ended up having to change 12 words or so. That comes from the discipline of advertising, having to strip everything back," he said.
The duo have no plans to go back to working in an advertising agency, having decided, as Cain put it, that they prefer to make "the big bit of TV rather than the little bits in between".
Cain's advice for any other advertising creatives wanting to do something more creative was to go for it. "You've got to live your dreams because you only get one go," he said.
'No Signal' is a satirical look at the world of multichannel television, and sees a range of genres given a humorous makeover -- including teleshopping, kid's shows and 24-hour rolling news.
It is the first series fully funded by FX, in its first foray into scripted comedy, although the station plans to commission more original programming next year.
Jason Thorp, managing director of Fox International Channels UK, said: "As a relatively small channel, commissioning comedy is a huge risk, but the potential upside is plain to see. When you have talent such as Pete and Lou on board, the odds are in your favour."
Cain and Bogue started in advertising at M&C Saatchi in 1995, where they created an acclaimed 'cheese grater' poster ad for Silk Cut. During their advertising careers, they worked with agencies including Bartle Bogle Hegarty and Lowe Lintas. Their last agency jobs were at Leith London, which they left two years ago. In 1997, ±±¾©Èü³µpk10 magazine named them as faces to watch.
The comedy series will get its UK premiere in February 2009 as part of the FX comedy Thursday line up, which also includes Family Guy.
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