MEDIA RELEASE: Cineflix Productions in development on new scripted comedy series with comedian Bonnie McFarlane

Cineflix Productions is in development on the scripted comedy series You’re Better Than Me, inspired by comedian Bonnie McFarlane’s memoir as a high schooler in Cold Lake, Alberta, in the mid-1980s. McFarlane serves as the creator and writer for the half-hour long episode series.

Stuck on a farm 294 kilometres outside the nearest pizza delivery zone, Bonnie is a smart-mouthed 16-year-old virgin with a cow for a best friend. She’s not the easiest person to get along with, and neither she nor her cow are part of the “in” crowd. Bonnie is desperate to escape her farm and see the world. There’s just one thing stopping her: herself…And a bunch of other stuff.

“We fell in love with Bonnie through her hilarious memoir. Her voice is so clear and relatable to audiences; we are thrilled to bring her perspective to the screen,” said Lisa Baylin, Director of Development, Cineflix Productions.

“You’re Better Than Me is set in the world of pre-cell phone, pre-internet, 1980s small-town Canada, but the themes of acceptance, friendship, and family are universal, and will appeal to a wide audience,” added Jeff Vanderwal, Vice President, Scripted, Cineflix Productions.

“This project is a testament to the first person that believed in it. If not for Anthony Bourdain, I would have never forced myself to write about my past. What a joy it’s been working with the amazing team at Cineflix, revisiting the most embarrassing period of my life!” said Bonnie McFarlane, Creator.

Bonnie McFarlane is a nationally headlining Canadian/American comedian with radio and television credits, including an HBO special, two Comedy Central specials, as well as multiple appearances on The Tonight Show and The Late Show. Bonnie directed the award-winning documentary Women Aren’t Funny, featuring high-profile comedians such as Joan Rivers and Sarah Silverman. Her memoir, You’re Better Than Me, was published by HarperCollins in 2016. Bonnie also co-hosts a national radio show on Sirius XM with her husband based on their podcast My Wife Hates Me.

This is Cineflix Productions’ latest title in development: the company announced the revelatory docuseries Surviving Hollywood with Anthony Rapp; The Descendants, a four-part documentary anthology that explores the lives of history’s most iconic figures; a returnable premium scripted series based on Gladys Knight’s life and career; and the crime series based on Vancouver-born author Sam Wiebe’s critically acclaimed Wakeland Novels.

Bonnie McFarlane is represented by Cris Italia at The Stand Group and Bradley Garrett at Cohen Gardner Law.

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