Fuse is heading into the scripted realm with “The Hustle,” a half-hour dramedy that centers on the challenges aspiring artists face when trying to break into the hip-hop world.
Cabler ordered six episodes and will bow the first on at 11 p.m. June 19.
Immediately following the episode broadcast will be “The Hustle After Party,” an after-show taped in front of a studio audience at Fuse’s Gotham studio that features interviews and performances with hip-hop stars, discussions with industry experts, and cast appearances.
“There are plenty of stories about trying to make it in the music industry, but never has there been such an authentic look at the hip hop industry and the struggles that accompany the journey to get to the top,” said Mike Bair, president of MSG Media, which owns Fuse. “ ‘The Hustle’ is filled with richly drawn characters in real life situations, connecting with our audience and giving viewers a real and honest look at life before fame and fandom.”
“The Hustle” is created and exec produced by Prentice Penny (“Happy Endings,” “Scrubs”) and produced by Generate. Millicent Shelton, Rusty Cundieff and Billie Woodruff helm the episodes.
Scripted series fits well into Fuse’s wheelhouse, as the cable net is devoted to music programming, and Fuse is yet another nonfiction net to enter the scripted space with content that complements its unscripted offerings.
Discovery Channel, History and National Geographic have doled out scripted specials and minis — often dubbed “factual dramas” — within the past few months, with some cable nets planning full-blown scripted series to be seated alongside their nonfiction content in the coming quarters.
