EXCLUSIVE: George Lopez is getting into the unscripted business. The comedian, who is currently starring in the third season of NBC’s Lopez vs. Lopez, has partnered with Truly Original, the production company behind series such as The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Ink Master, to develop a number of unscripted projects. The first is a […]EXCLUSIVE: George Lopez is getting into the unscripted business. The comedian, who is currently starring in the third season of NBC’s Lopez vs. Lopez, has partnered with Truly Original, the production company behind series such as The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Ink Master, to develop a number of unscripted projects. The first is a
EXCLUSIVE: George Lopez is getting into the unscripted business.
The comedian, who is currently starring in the third season of NBC’s Lopez vs. Lopez, has partnered with Truly Original, the production company behind series such as The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Ink Master, to develop a number of unscripted projects.
The first is a feature documentary about Charlie Murphy, the brother of Eddie Murphy. Darkness: The Charlie Murphy Story will tell the story of the comedian, who died in 2017 from leukemia at the age of 57.
Charlie Murphy was a cast member and writer on Chappelle’s Show and for BET’s mockumentary series Comedy Get Down, where he traveled with Lopez on their 2017 stand-up comedy tour.
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The doc, which is currently in production, is produced by Truly Original, Richard Murphy, who was Charlie Murphy’s cousin and former manager, George Lopez and Salvador Vasquez.
The second project is described as a competitive and comedy-driven reality series.
It marks the latest partnership for Banijay-owned Truly Original, which recently struck an overall deal with The Cinemart, the company behind Netflix’s American Murder: Gabby Petito and Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal docs as well as Hulu’s Fyre Fraud.
Truly Original also produces shows including Summer House, Winter House and The Last Cowboy with executive producer Taylor Sheridan.
The move comes after Lopez, who also starred in DC Comics’ Blue Beetle, revealed last year that he was retiring from stand-up.
Lopez said, “Charlie Murphy was so much fun to be around, I’ve never laughed so hard, and I want everyone to see what I saw.”
“There are a ton of reasons why we wanted to team up with George on these unscripted projects, and they all come down to this: there’s nothing he can’t do,” added Weinstock and Hersh. “Beyond his renowned comedy chops, George is a seasoned producer whose star power and longevity offer a vantage point that’s rare in our business. We’re delighted to be working together and excited about the projects we’re developing.”
Truly Original EVP and Head of Development Chachi Senior added, “It all really began with Charlie and this documentary passion project that brought us together with Rich, Sal and George. Collectively, our entire team sees a big future for George in unscripted and we’re thrilled to be working together.”