NBC asks Howie Mandel to 'Do It'

'Deal' host to star in and exec produce sitcom

By JOSEF ADALIAN

Mandel

"Deal or No Deal" host Howie Mandel is doing plenty of dealing himself, setting up a series and a pilot at the Peacock.

Thesp-turned-producer also has a scripted project set up at Sci Fi and has tapped an exec to run his development.

Mandel will star in and exec produce "Howie Do It," an unscripted comedy skein. NBC has greenlit the project to series and has ordered multiple episodes but is keeping the logline secret for now.

As part of NBC's ongoing efforts to vary its financial models, "Howie Do It" will be produced simultaneously for NBC and Canada's Global Television, with the two nets sharing production costs.

"We're trying to figure out new ways to do business as (reality) shows become more expensive," NBC unscripted topper Craig Plestis said.

Exec added he was glad to have Mandel's "brand of unscripted comedy in another show for NBC."

"Howie Do It" will be an Alevy presentation in association with 3 Arts Entertainment. Scott Hallock and Kevin Healy ("Spy TV") will join Mandel as exec producers, along with Morgan Elliot and Michael Rotenberg.

Meanwhile, Alevy is in final talks with NBC to lens a pilot presentation for quizzer “Would You Rather,” which is based on the Falls Media/Imagination Games franchise in which people have to choose between two equally unappealing options.

Scott St. John ("Deal or No Deal") and Imagination TV will join Mandel to exec produce.

Overseeing the projects for Mandel on a day-to-day basis is former Brillstein-Grey exec Mike Marks ("Samantha Who?"), who last year was quietly tapped senior VP of production and development for Alevy.

On the scripted front, Alevy is teamed with Universal Media Studios and Blueprint on "Kill-Switch," a one-hour drama for Sci Fi from scribe Don Mancini ("Child's Play"). Skein revolves around a woman who can jump into the bodies of people about to be murdered.

Mancini originally developed the project at ABC Studios with Marc Cherry. Alphabet didn't move forward with the concept, however, allowing Mancini to hook up with Mandel.

Mandel and Mancini are exec producing with Rick Kellard ("The Closer").

Also on the slate at Alevy: a one-hour dramedy from scribe Scott Gimple about an insurance claims worker turned doctor.