Bill Simmons has tapped two “Daily Show With Jon Stewart” alums for key roles on his upcoming HBO talk show.
Stuart Miller will serve as an exec producer alongside Simmons and Eric Weinberger, president of Bill Simmons Media Group. Jason Ross has signed on as head writer.
Kim Gamble, a former contributor to Simmons’ Grantland sports and culture website, has also signed on as a co-exec producer.
Details about the talk show are still sketchy. It’s a weekly effort that is slated to premiere later this year. It seems likely to reflect the blend of sports, pop culture and social commentary that made Simmons’ Grantland website such a lively read before Simmons’ acrimonious exit from ESPN last year. ESPN pulled the plug on Grantland five months after Simmons’ departure.
“I learned from my Grantland experience how important a good inner circle is, and now we’re building a terrific one for HBO,” Simmons said. “These are three creative, innovative, curious people, and that’s exactly the spirit of the TV show we want to create. My only regret is that none of them root for Boston teams.”
Miller spent 12 years on “Daily Show,” rising from field producer in 2003 to co-exec producer. He was an exec producer of Will Ferrell’s baseball special for HBO, “Will Takes the Field.”
Ross spent 10 years as a writer on “Daily Show.” He also worked on Jimmy Fallon’s “Tonight Show” in 2014-15 and was a writer for HBO comedy “The Brink” last year. Gamble is a widely published essayist who has also worked in late-night TV and documentary production.
Simmons formed Bill Simmons Media Group last year after his parting from ESPN and set a wide-ranging production pact with HBO last July. There’s no word yet on a target premiere date for the HBO talk show.
(Pictured: Bill Simmons)
