Pop Developing Comedy Series Starring Joey McIntyre, 2 Other Shows
By Nellie Andreeva, Deadline
TVGN launched its rebrand into Pop with reality series Rock This Boat: New Kids On The Block, which was used as an 
example of the fan-driven fare the network was going to build its new brand around. Now the network has put in the works a half-hour improv comedy series in the style of Curb Your Enthusiasm toplined by Rock This Boat co-star and NKOTB member Joey McIntyre, playing a fictionalized version of himself juggling a gig as a cable talk show host and his hectic family life. He will executive produce with fellow NKOTB-er and Rock This Boat executive producer Donnie Wahlberg. Also in development at Pop are Celebrity Escape Room, a competition show set in the fully immersive environment of the hottest new craze in live-action gaming, and I Watch It With My Girlfriend, a comedic talk show about fan favorite, female-skewing television hits viewed from the perspective of men.
Here are more details about the three projects:
THE JOEY McINTYRE PROJECT (WORKING TITLE)
THE JOEY McINTYRE PROJECT is a half-hour comedy featuring Joey McIntyre as a fictionalized version of himself. The show catches up with Joey in an attempt to branch out from his New Kids on the Block fame and continue towards his goal of becoming a serious actor. Joey is given the offer to host his own daily talk show at an up-and-coming cable network, something he’s not sure is the right move. Finally relenting, Joey finds that he must navigate the absurd behind-the-scenes world of talk show development as he interacts with a revolving staff, crazed network executives and celebrity guests—and balance all of that with his own hectic family life. THE JOEY MCINTYRE PROJECT is produced by T Group Productions and executive produced by Donnie Wahlberg, Jenny McCarthy, Joey McIntyre, Jenny Daly, Paul Greenberg and Tim Gibbons.
CELEBRITY ESCAPE ROOM (WORKING TITLE)
Based on the hottest new craze in live-action gaming, CELEBRITY ESCAPE ROOM is a high-intensity, totally immersive pop culture challenge. Two celebrities and their friends compete by getting locked in identical rooms, and the only way out is to use their pop culture knowledge and work together to unlock the exit. With room themes ranging from zombie apocalypse to a totally tubular 80’s teen dream, viewers play along as the two celeb teams hilariously stumble through a series of clues, puzzles and red herrings until they unlock the key to their freedom. The first team to escape wins. The series is executive produced by Neil Regan, Joel Karsberg and Cem Yeter of Zodiak USA.
I WATCH IT WITH MY GIRLFRIEND (WORKING TITLE)
Covering everything from “Housewives” to “Scandal,” I WATCH IT WITH MY GIRLFRIEND offers fresh and hilarious male perspectives on female-skewing TV favorites. Host comedian James Pumphrey (“Upright Citizens Brigade”) – a self-proclaimed guy who knows nothing about sports, but can proudly recite five seasons worth of “Bachelor” contestants –is joined by a rotating panel of pop culture experts ready to salute the best and worst of “chick TV.” I WATCH IT WITH MY GIRLFRIEND is produced by Den of Thieves, executive produced by Evan Prager, Jesse Ignjatovic, and James Pumphrey and co-executive produced by Jared Morell and Jordan Barrow.