Jon Koa Joins CBS Entertainment as Head of Comedy Development, Taking Over From Julie Pernworth

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLongtime development executive Steven Prinz has signed an overall television deal and a first-look film deal with Amazon, Variety has learned.Prinz most recently served as global series executive for Amazon Studios, overseeing the development of projects from creators with first look and overall deals with the studio. Those included Plan B Entertainment, Michael B.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRJ Cyler has been cast in a series regular role in the upcoming Issa Rae HBO Max comedy series “Rap Sh*t,” Variety has learned.The series follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion), who reunite to form a rap group. Cyler will play Lamont, an aspiring music producer with a sharp ear for talent.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterNina L. Diaz will now head up unscripted and adult animation for Paramount Plus, Variety has learned exclusively.The promotion was announced by Chris McCarthy in a memo to MTV Entertainment Group staffers on Thursday, which can be read in full below.Diaz will now serve as chief creative officer for unscripted entertainment and adult animation at Paramount Plus, while remaining CCO and president of content for MTV Entertainment Group.

CBS News is bringing a little of the NFL to its morning show, hiring former football player Nate Burleson as one of the three co-hosts of “CBS This Morning”.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMelanie Frankel is exiting her role as head of comedy for ABC Signature, Variety has learned.According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, Frankel’s departure is amicable. She first assumed the top comedy role at the studio in October 2019 (when it was still known as ABC Studios) after having been vice president of current series since 2015.

football player Nate Burleson as one of the three co-hosts of “CBS This Morning.”Burleson has been host of “Good Morning Football” on the NFL Network and, since 2017, an analyst on “The NFL Today,” CBS' Sunday afternoon studio show during the season. He will continue in the CBS football role.He will team with Gayle King and Tony Dokoupil on “CBS This Morning” starting next month.

CBS This Morning is once again shaking up its morning lineup with the addition of former NFL player Nate Burleson!

Roy Trakin Walter Yetnikoff, a colorful record label executive who led CBS Records as president/CEO from 1975 to 1990 — when its roster was stacked with superstars like Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones — died Sunday night at age 87.  He would have turned 88 on August 11.A cause of death has not been given, although he had been battling several illnesses in recent years.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJen Statsky has extended her overall deal with Universal Television.Statsky is the co-creator, co-showrunner and executive producer of the HBO Max comedy series “Hacks.” The series, which she created alongside collaborators Lucia Aniello and Paul W.

Ticket Master starting Friday.“We wanted to put on a fun celebration to honor this great city’s resilience.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThomas Lennon is developing the animated comedy “The Post Guard” at Fox, Variety has learned exclusively.The series is described as a workplace adventure comedy following the rag tag crew of humans, turtles, seals and mermaids at the secretive, and often overlooked mashup of the Coast Guard and Post Office, as they scour the high seas to find and deliver messages in bottles, while settling who among them is in charge of the ship’s menial tasks, like resetting the

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHulu has ordered a comedy pilot from Steve Levitan and John Enbom with Keegan-Michael Key and Johnny Knoxville attached to star, Variety has learned.In the pilot, titled “Reboot,” Hulu decides to reboot an early 2000’s family sitcom. Its dysfunctional cast is forced back together and now must deal with their unresolved issues in today’s fast-changing world.Levitan is the creator, executive producer, and showrunner and also wrote the pilot story.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterRamón Rodríguez has been cast in a lead role opposite Aubrey Plaza in the Hulu drama pilot “Olga Dies Dreaming,” Variety has learned.The show is based on the yet-to-be-released novel of the same name by Xóchitl Gonzalez. It was ordered to pilot at the streamer back in April.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterPoppy Liu has joined the cast of “Dead Ringers” at Amazon, Variety has learned.She joins previously announced series lead Rachel Weisz and recently announced cast member Michael Chernus. The series was announced at the streaming service in August 2020 with a straight-to-series order.

EXCLUSIVE: Gabriel Blanco has joined Mythical Entertainment, the Internet-first entertainment studio led by YouTube creators Rhett & Link, as Vice President of Production & Operations.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“Sweet Tooth” has been renewed for Season 2 at Netflix, Variety has learned.The second season will consist of eight, one-hour episodes. News of the renewal comes just under two months after the debut of the first season, which dropped on June 4.“It’s been equally thrilling and heartwarming to experience how people around the world have been falling in love with our deer-boy,” said series showrunner Jim Mickle.

CBS has found its new head of comedy development in Jon Koa. The former Condé Nast and ABC executive was named executive vice president of comedy development on Wednesday.Koa will be responsible for overseeing all of CBS’ primetime comedy programming.

CBS has hired Jon Koa as EVP, Comedy Development following the departure of veteran exec Julie Pernworth.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDeWanda Wise has been cast in the upcoming Showtime series adaptation of the Lisa Taddeo novel “Three Women.”Wise joins previously announced cast member Shailene Woodley.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterVicki Dummer has been hired at Warner Bros. Television to serve as executive vice president and head of current programming.Dummer will report to WBTV Group Chairman Channing Dungey, with whom she previously worked during their respective tenures at ABC.