Shitmydadsays faces hard slog from Twitter to TV

A Twitter user who has attracted 745,000 followers simply by writing down pearls of wisdom uttered by his father is developing a comedy pilot TV show for CBS.

Justin Halpern posts his 140-character maxims on his Twitter feed, 'shitmydadsays'. Recent highlights include: "If mom calls, tell her I'm shitting... Son, marriage is about not having to lie about taking a shit." But it is unclear how well these often profane proverbs will play with potential prime-time advertisers.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Halpern will be co-executive producer of the show and co-write it. David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, the creators of sitcom Will and Grace, are also involved in the project.

Halpern, who has already secured a book deal with HarperCollins, recognised the comedy potential of his father's words when he moved back in with his parents in San Diego, California, in August. Describing his Twitter feed, Halpern writes: "I'm 29. I live with my 73-year-old dad. He is awesome. I just write down shit that he says."

Blog-to-book adaptations are becoming increasingly popular as old media seek to harness the popularity of internet popular culture. Last year saw successful book versions of Stuff White People Like, a blog that parodies politically correct affluent white Americans, and I Can Haz Cheeseburger, a blog in which users write twee captions on pictures of cute cats. The latter spawned several further editions, including LOLcat Bible: In Teh Beginnin Ceiling Cat Maded...

However, not all of these adaptations are successful. Gawker's The Gawker Guide to Conquering All Media sold fewer than 1,000 copies in its first six months of release in 2007. The fact that Halpern will have to tone down his father’s sayings should he secure a full comedy series may work against him. In order to sell it as a prime-time family comedy, CBS will have to retitle 'shitmaydadsays'.

Still, if the worst happens, Halpern can take comfort from these words from his father: "You're being fucking dramatic. You own a TV and an air mattress. That's not exactly what I'd call 'a lot to lose.'" ·