As we reported a couple of weeks ago, Diggy Simmons was about to get a new comedy show and it was setting up on BET as an original movie too. The show is being executive produced by Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, and finally has a new name, show title and more;
Check out the article from Shadow and Act;
A few updates on BET’s “two-hour backdoor comedy pilot/original movie” starring Daniel Dwayne Simmons, aka Diggy Simmons (son of Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons), executive produced by Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, who are already behind 2 other BET products – the hit comedy The Game, and the upcoming drama/comedy series Being Mary Jane, which stars Gabrielle Union.
As of our last post, the series was untitled, with a one sentence description that called it… a fresh and edgy look at Diggy Simmons, his life as a blogger, and the close group of loyal friends who hold him down on his rise to the top.
This morning, I’m told that the potential series currently has Hello World as its working title, and a longer synopsis that reads:
Set in New York, four young people are struggling to relaunch their rising-star blog. They’re thrilled when finally given a real shot by the owner of a trendy magazine, only to learn they’ve been scammed.
By the way, Hello World is also the name of a track from his 2012 debut studio album Unexpected Arrival.
Not sure if I’m digging that title, but it may change by the time production wraps.
The potential scripted series would reportedly have an Entourage vibe to it, with Allen Maldonado (as Diggy’s character’s best friend Manny), Teyana Taylor (as Diggy’s character’s ex-GF), Chris Brew (as Dot, a tech geek, and childhood friend), Bria Murphy (as Manny’s girlfriend), and Stephanie Charles (as Sheri, Dot’s ex-girlfriend), all co-starring.
Salim Akil will direct the film/pilot episode, which I’m also told will begin shooting in October in New York and Atlanta.
Joining the Akils as executive producers are Kenya Baris, Chris Lighty, Laurie Dobbins, and James Dubose.
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