Endemol Beyond USA Signs Comedian Andy Milonakis to TV, Digital Deal

Endemol Beyond USA, the digital division of Endemol North America, signed an overall TV and digital development deal with comedian Andy Milonakis.

Milonakis, an actor-writer-rapper-comedian, is best known for creating and starring in sketch-comedy series “The Andy Milonakis Show,” produced by Jimmy Kimmel, which ran on MTV and MTV2 from 2005-07.

In the first project under the pact, Endemol started production Nov. 10 on “Andy’s Hungry Voyage,” which will feature his eating exploits in Tokyo. The series, directed by Chris Siegel, will be promoted with the hashtag #Japandy. Endemol Beyond USA also is developing “Andy Milonakis 2.0” (working title), based on the MTV show.

Other original series in the works are a show with a gameplay format and a music-video series. Original episodes of all digital content will be distributed on Milonakis’ three YouTube channels as well as Endemol’s YouTube channel for reality content, BeyondReality.

The pact with Milonakis represents L.A.-based Endemol Beyond USA’s second foray into producing reality content for YouTube. The first is “The #Muthaship” starring Drea de Matteo (“Sons of Anarchy,” “The Sopranos”), which is slated to premiere Dec. 1.

Milonakis, 38, became a writer for ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” after the latenight host discovered him via an online video that went viral. Endemol Beyond USA president Will Keenan called Milonakis a “one-of-a-kind performer.”

“Andy and his comedy never grow old and we look forward to producing with him these exciting, new projects for digital and TV,” Keenan said.

Since forming in November 2013, Endemol Beyond USA has signed deals with digital-native talent including YouTube star Michelle Phan and Vine creator Brittany Furlan.

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