Ryan Seacrest is going to work on yet another project — this time, a scripted network comedy.
Seacrest will serve as an exec producer on “Squad Goals,” a timely, multi-camera, hybrid sitcom that is in development at CBS, Variety has learned exclusively.
The potential series is an ensemble comedy about a group of late 20-something friends who met in college and realize it’s time to finally grow up.
“Squad Goals” hails from 30-something scribes Lindsey Rosin and Aaron Karo, who penned the script. The duo has previously worked together, but the project marks their first major network sale together. Along with the “American Idol” multi-hyphenate, Nina Wass of Ryan Seacrest Productions will also exec produce, while Rosin and Karo will serve as co-exec producers and writers.
Insiders say the comedy, loosely inspired by the writers’ own observations, came to fruition when the pair realized they, among many other young adults, were at a pivotal life moment when their friends were at a crossroads, either balancing marriage and mortgages — or margaritas.
“Squad Goals” (an inspirational term made famous by Taylor Swift, defining the ultimate group of friends) hails from CBS Television Studios and Ryan Seacrest Prods., which is under an overall deal at the studio, focusing on the company’s scripted division. For RSP, the sale comes after the company sold a drama script to CBS, titled “The Down Beat.” From writer Paul Downs Colaizzo, the Atlanta-set marching band project will also be exec produced by Ludacris.
This past summer, Rosin directed the much buzzed about Los Angeles-based Cruel Intentions musical, which brought on fans in the original cast, Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair, who all attended a show together. Karo, an author and comedian, wrote the 2012 young adult novel “Lexapros and Cons” and toplined his own Comedy Central stand-up special “Aaron Karo: The Rest Is History” in 2010.
With Rosin and Karo, plus Colaizzo, selling projects to CBS during the same week, the network seems to be eyeing fresh talent this development season.
