TruTV continues its push into original scripted programming with a pilot order to
Shaq Inq. (working title), a workplace comedy loosely based on the business empire
of Shaquille O’Neal. The former NBA star-turned-business mogul and occasional actor
will topline and executive produce the project, from Mandalay Sports Media, the company
launched in 2012 by Peter Guber and Mike Tollin. Tollin also executive produces the pilot,
which was written by feature writer-director Jeremy Garelick (The Wedding Ringer, The
Break-Up). John Fortenberry (Galavant, Instant Mom) will direct.Said to be in the tone of
Veep, the scripted comedy follows O’Neal and the team who runs his businesses. The
offbeat, yet capable, group juggles the mayhem of managing Shaq’s existing products
and endorsements while implementing his latest batch of eccentric and oftentimes brilliant
business ideas. While they’re all working towards the same goal, each employee is constantly
jockeying for the power and recognition to make the big guy proud.
“There is no denying Shaq’s multifaceted appeal,” said TruTV’s head of programming Chris
Linn. Added Tollin, “Shaquille and I have been friends for 20 years, and his growth as a
businessman never ceases to amaze and amuse me.”
Source: Deadline
Shaq Inq. (working title), a workplace comedy loosely based on the business empire
of Shaquille O’Neal. The former NBA star-turned-business mogul and occasional actor
will topline and executive produce the project, from Mandalay Sports Media, the company
launched in 2012 by Peter Guber and Mike Tollin. Tollin also executive produces the pilot,
which was written by feature writer-director Jeremy Garelick (The Wedding Ringer, The
Break-Up). John Fortenberry (Galavant, Instant Mom) will direct.Said to be in the tone of
Veep, the scripted comedy follows O’Neal and the team who runs his businesses. The
offbeat, yet capable, group juggles the mayhem of managing Shaq’s existing products
and endorsements while implementing his latest batch of eccentric and oftentimes brilliant
business ideas. While they’re all working towards the same goal, each employee is constantly
jockeying for the power and recognition to make the big guy proud.
“There is no denying Shaq’s multifaceted appeal,” said TruTV’s head of programming Chris
Linn. Added Tollin, “Shaquille and I have been friends for 20 years, and his growth as a
businessman never ceases to amaze and amuse me.”
Source: Deadline