According to Deadline, NBC has announced that they have ordered six episodes of Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman’s newest venture, a crafting reality series called The Handmade Project, which will be a competition between artisans of all backgrounds. The series was co-developed by Nicolle Yaron and Poehler’s production company Paper Kite Productions. Universal Television Alternative Studio will also be producing the series.
The Handmade Project will be open to contestants of all ages (who can apply at www.handmadeprojectcasting.com) and will have eight contestants who gather at the series’ specialized outdoor set. In the vein of Bravo’s Project Runway, the contestants will be given a different theme every episode, and the projects will increase in difficulty as the season continues.
Poehler and Offerman will host the series, no doubt infusing the series with some comedy. Offerman is woodworking professional, and owner of LA-based Offerman Woodshop. The Offerman Woodshop creates large items, such as furniture, boats, etc., but also creates small items such as wooden birthday cards. Poehler is amateur crafter herself, and features many posts about crafting on her Smart Girls website.
Amy Poehler expressed her excitement for the new series, saying:
I’m thrilled to be celebrating artists who make things by hand, and I’m looking forward to finally conquering my fear of paper mache.
Nick Offerman said in a statement:
People who make things are my favorite kind of folk. Practical, clever and terrific in a pinch. That makes me tickled pink to have a front row seat at this prodigious display of talent, and admiring and cheering on an amazing crop of American makers. Plus, Amy and I have a strong tradition of tomfoolery so let’s see if we don’t have some good fun.
Meredith Ahr, president of Universal Television Alternative Studio, also expressed her joy that the series will be going into production:
With millions of mass-produced products, a handmade item can be the most valuable treasure one can possess because it’s one of a kind and made with love. We are thrilled that Amy Poehler’s first venture into the unscripted space is so refreshingly unexpected and original, and can’t wait to see Amy and Nick back together again!
As NBC continues to develop new reality series, which currently include The Voice and America’s Got Talent, they seem to be adding more competition shows to their schedule. They are currently working on Jennifer Lopez’s competition series World of Dance, which is set to premiere in May on Monday nights, and most likely meant to compete against ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Back in December, they also recently premiered the game show The Wall, produced by LeBron James and Andrew Glassman.
Meanwhile, look for Poehler this year to star alongside Will Ferrell in R-rated comedy The House. Offerman is making a jump into more dramatic roles in The House of Tomorrow, as well as Nostalgia with Jon Hamm and Amber Tamblyn.