“Blanks” flips the dating script—and could signal a fresh new direction for network TV.
Wilmer Valderrama, best known to NCIS fans as Special Agent Nick Torres, is ready to shake up your Tuesday nights in a whole new way. The actor, producer, and now published author (An: American Story: Everyone’s Invited, released in September 2024) is expanding his creative empire with a surprising turn: a sharp, single-camera rom-com with a twist, currently in development at CBS.
Titled “Blanks,” the series centers on a commitment-phobic serial dater who’s thrown into existential crisis mode after finding out his biological clock is ticking. Just as he’s finally met the woman of his dreams, she’s not even close to ready for anything serious. Timing is everything—and in this case, it’s hilariously off.
🧠 Who’s Behind the Show?
The project comes from comedian Aaron Karo, who will write and executive produce the pilot. He teams up with Valderrama’s WV Entertainment and CBS Studios, forming a creative trio with potential for serious comic chemistry.
Though details are still under wraps and development is in its early stages, Blanks is already generating buzz for its refreshingly gender-flipped premise, exploring societal pressures typically aimed at women—now filtered through a male protagonist’s lens.
📺 What This Means for CBS: The Comedy Comeback Is Real
For years, CBS has been king of the crime procedural (NCIS, FBI, Blue Bloods), but the comedy side of its schedule has thinned out considerably. With the end of Young Sheldon and The Conners bowing out over at ABC, legacy network sitcoms have taken a backseat to streaming-driven rom-coms like Adults (Hulu) and Nobody Wants This (Netflix).
CBS’s remaining comedic lineup currently includes the hit ensemble Ghosts and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, the Young Sheldon spinoff. But the addition of new entries like DMV (a dark comedy starring Tim Meadows and Harriet Dyer) and the promising Blanks signals that CBS is doubling down on revitalizing its laugh-track-free, character-driven comedy brand.
💘 Why “Blanks” Stands Out: A Fresh Focus on Modern Love
TV comedies about dating aren’t new—but Blanks dares to spotlight a modern man grappling with fertility fears and emotional maturity in a culture that tells him he has all the time in the world. It’s a narrative shift that’s long overdue—and one that could resonate with viewers across generations.
If greenlit, the show has the potential to combine High Fidelity-style introspection with the comedic tone of How I Met Your Mother, all while pushing the boundaries of masculinity and vulnerability on mainstream TV.
🔎 Valderrama: Building Beyond NCIS
Wilmer Valderrama isn’t stepping away from NCIS just yet—but he’s clearly building a post-procedural future. Alongside acting, producing, and writing, Valderrama has become a trusted voice in Hollywood for projects that challenge norms and elevate underrepresented stories.
With Blanks, he’s bringing a thoughtful (and likely hilarious) exploration of male aging, romantic readiness, and the ticking clock usually reserved for female characters—and he’s doing it on a platform that reaches millions.
👀 Keep Your Eyes On…
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Aaron Karo’s script, which is expected to blend smart humor with real emotional beats.
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CBS’s continued efforts to diversify its comedy slate in the face of streaming competition.
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Whether Blanks becomes a breakout hit or not, it’s part of a bigger moment in broadcast television: one that embraces character-first comedies with deeper themes and modern sensibilities.
Bottom Line:
With Blanks, Wilmer Valderrama may be helping CBS catch up to what younger viewers already know—rom-coms still matter, especially when they’re told from perspectives we don’t see nearly enough of. Let the countdown begin.
