Untitled Male Friendship Show

Issa Rae returns to HBO with a pilot order for a half-hour comedy exploring male friendship against the backdrop of professional boxing in Las Vegas. Written and executive produced by Rae, the project reunites her with Prentice Penny, who served as showrunner and executive producer on all five seasons of Insecure. Penny will direct the pilot and serve as showrunner through his A Penny For Your Thoughts banner. The comedy centers on Menzel, a 30-year-old barber and aspiring sports manager, and JB, an up-and-coming boxer, as their friendship faces the pressures of ambition, loneliness, and the double-edged sword of success. Additional executive producers include Jax Clark for Hoorae and Jonathan Berry and Dave Becky for 3 Arts Entertainment. While Rae recently signed a first-look deal with Paramount, this project predates that partnership and marks her return to the network that launched Insecure in 2016.