EXCLUSIVE: HBO is creating The Band, an hourlong dramedy sequence starring Ben Stiller in a uncommon TV function. The mission comes from Media Res and Stiller’s Pink Hour Movies, the corporate behind two of Apple TV+’s greatest sequence, The Morning Present and Severance, respectively.
Created by Sarah Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, co-creators of the acclaimed TBS/Max comedy Search Social gathering, The Band gives an inside take a look at the music trade centered on Oscar (Stiller), a pop impresario and expertise mogul beset by scandal who’s tasked with forming a brand new act to be able to save his profession – and maybe his soul.
Stiller’s Simon Cowell-esque Oscar might be placing collectively a boy band, as hinted by the sequence’ title. Cowell was behind the creation of one of many greatest boy bands of all time, One Route.
Bliss and Rogers function showrunners. They government produce alongside Pink Hour’s Stiller and John Lesher, Savan Kotecha in addition to Media Res’ Michael Ellenberg and Lindsey Springer. Media Res will function co-studio with HBO.
This represents a really totally different tackle the music trade than the one HBO took final 12 months with the darkish drama The Idol.
If The Band goes ahead, it might mark solely the second TV sequence starring function for Stiller following his 1990 sketch comedy The Ben Stiller Present. He has completed a few recurring roles, most notably on Arrested Growth and HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Pink Hour Movies produces the Peabody- and Emmy-winning Apple sequence Severance — now in its second season — with Fifth Season. Stiller is a director along with government producer. Stiller and Pink Hour are repped by WME and Sloane, Provide, Weber & Dern.
Sarah Violet Bliss & Charles Rogers, Michael Ellenberg
Courtesy/Eric Charbonneau
Media Res’s present slate consists of the Emmy and SAG Award-winning Apple drama The Morning Present, which is headed into its fourth season, and the streamer’s Pachinko. Arising are The Miniature Spouse at Peacock, starring Matthew Macfadyen; company thriller Thumblte at Netflix, starring Rosamund Pike, along with a number of initiatives in superior growth, together with bisexual romance drama Enigma Variations at Netflix, starring Jeremy Allen White.
At HBO, the place Media Res founder Ellenberg was as soon as a high drama government, the corporate beforehand produced Scenes From a Marriage, starring Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac.
Bliss and Rogers co-created and government produced with Michael Showalter Search Social gathering, starring Alia Shawkat, which ran for 5 seasons. Their sequence credit additionally embrace Moist Sizzling American Summer time: Ten Years Later. The duo are repped by UTA, Rise Administration and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
