The Jim Jefferies Show on Comedy Central
The Ask: For the launch of The Jim Jefferies Show, the creative team at Comedy Central found ourselves a little more penned in than usual. Both the network and talent were insistent that the key art feature Jim at a desk to signify this would be a late-night style show (though technically not on at “late night”) and not a stand up special. Additionally we had to introduce Jim to the network’s Daily Show-oriented audience in a way that didn’t say more of the same, and let Jim’s more acerbic and sometimes harsh tone come through.
Role: Art director, writer
Knowing he would be riffing on the news and issues of the day in the classic late-night mold, we landed on Jim, dapper but relaxed at his desk, literally cool under fire as the world and the news burn. It was also a play on “hot takes” as Jim’s style of comedy is far less polite than your typical Daily Show cast member or talk show host.
The Outcome:
• The Jim Jefferies Show launched above expectations, and continued to perform well for three seasons before Jim himself stepped away to pursue other projects.
• It could be surprisingly tender, and was perhaps best remembered for Brad Pitt’s recurring cameo as a weatherman who’d become fatalistic and despondent as a result of climate change.