Issa Rae Pilot Order Set At HBO For 'Untitled Male Friendship Show'
Deadline • • entertainment
Key Points:
- HBO has ordered a new half-hour comedy pilot titled Untitled Male Friendship Show from Issa Rae, creator of the Peabody Award-winning series Insecure.
- The pilot focuses on Menzel, a 30-year-old barber and aspiring sports manager, and his friendship with JB, an up-and-coming boxer, as they navigate ambition and success in the professional boxing world in Las Vegas.
- Prentice Penny, a longtime collaborator of Rae’s on Insecure, will serve as showrunner, executive producer, and pilot director, with additional executive producers from Hoorae and 3 Arts Entertainment.
- Rae, previously under an overall deal with HBO, signed a new three-year first-look film and TV production deal with Paramount in January, suggesting this project was developed prior to that agreement.
- Issa Rae has a strong ongoing relationship with HBO, having created Insecure and executive produced other acclaimed projects such as A Black Lady Sketch Show and Rap Sh!t.
