TBS orders up more 'Frank TV'

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. cable television network TBS has ordered eight more episodes of its hit late-night sketch comedy series "Frank TV."

The show, which debuted in November and has averaged more than 2 million viewers, features impressionist Frank Caliendo channeling such pop culture, entertainment, sports and political icons as John Madden, Dr. Phil, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro and President George W. Bush.

TBS said the series is expected to return later this year.

"Frank is one of the country's most popular performers for a reason: He's simply the best at what he does," Michael Wright, senior vice president in charge of the Content Creation Group for TBS and sister networks TNT and TCM, said in a statement Thursday.

"Frank TV has resonated with audiences because his style of comedy is so accessible. Frank has a very appealing everyman sensibility. He laughs at the same things we all laugh at in the popular culture around us," Wright said. "And the show's sketches catch that comedic point of view perfectly. We were thrilled by the audience response to the show, and can't wait to come back with more, even funnier, episodes."