Andy Sanberg along with his Lonely Island members Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone have inked a multi-year deal with Fox.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the deal is for a new alternative comedy venture. Sandberg recently won a best comedy actor Golden Globe for his Fox comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Sandberg, Schaffer and Taccone will oversee development of comedy projects that will helped by digital platforms like Hulu and Roku. Having the series on a 21st Century Fox owned network is the end goal for the comedy projects.
This is Fox’s third multi-platform development initiative others include 2012’s Animation Domination High-Def and 2013’s deal with WIGS founded by Jon Avnet and Rodrigo Garcia.
“This is Fox’s third alternative development venture, and I’m ecstatic that we’re launching it with comedic geniuses The Lonely Island,” Fox Chairman of Entertainment Kevin Reilly said. “I’ve admired Akiva, Andy and Jorma’s work for many years, and they share our desire to give creators more independence and the opportunity to take risks. These guys know what it takes to break through — whether online or on air — and they are the perfect partners to help us find the next generation of comedy hits.”
Schaffer said, “Andy, Jorma and I are super excited to work with Mr. Reilly and everyone at Fox to make innovative and cool TV shows that might not otherwise make it through the normal development process.”
Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, Senior VP Multi-Platform for Fox added, “It’s vital that we foster more experimentation both on and off the Fox lot, so we can take more shots at identifying hits. We are committed to providing The Lonely Island all the support they need for success.”
The Lonely Island hit the spotlight on Saturday Night Live with their “SNL Digital Shorts” series. Some of their shorts include viral hits “Lazy Sunday,” “Dick in a Box,” “I’m on a Boat,” “Jack Sparrow,” “Natalie Raps” and “YOLO.” They received an Emmy for 2007s “Dick in a Box” and a Grammy nomination for the 2011 album Turtleneck & Chain.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine won a 2014 Golden Globe for best comedy series. The Lonely Island also produced a comedy pilot for Fox in 2005 titled Awesometown.
Samberg, Schaffer and Taccone are repped by UTA and Mosaic.