{
  "id": 3296549,
  "title": "Issa Rae Male Friendship Comedy Lands Pilot Order at HBO",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/issa-rae-male-friendship-comedy-lands-pilot-order-at-hbo",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-25T16:03:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TheWrap",
    "slug": "thewrap",
    "url": "https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/issa-rae-male-friendship-comedy-hbo-pilot-order/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Issa Rae, creator of the hit HBO series \"Insecure,\" is set to return to the network with a new half-hour comedy series. The untitled project, a pilot order, focuses on the dynamics of male friendships amidst the competitive world of professional boxing in Las Vegas. The protagonist, Menzel, is a 30-year-old barber and aspiring sports manager, who doubles as the best friend of JB, an up-and-coming boxer. Along with their personal growth, the show delves into themes of ambition, insecurity, loneliness, and the complexities of success. Rae, who wrote and executive produced the series, reteams with \"Insecure\" collaborator Prentice Penny, who directs the pilot and serves as showrunner and executive producer. This marks Rae's fourth collaboration with HBO, following \"Insecure,\" \"A Black Lady Sketch Show,\" and \"Rap Sh!t\" for HBO Max. Rae recently signed a first-look film and television deal with Paramount, hinting at this project's potential connection to that agreement.",
  "summary": "The project reunites the \"Insecure\" creator with Prentice Penny as showrunner, director and EP The post Issa Rae Male Friendship Comedy Lands Pilot Order at HBO appeared first on TheWrap .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "Issa Rae Lands HBO Pilot Order For Half-Hour Male Friendship Comedy Set In World Of Vegas Boxing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/issa-rae-lands-hbo-pilot-order-for-half-hour-male-friendship-comedy",
        "published": "2026-08-25T15:30:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Variety",
        "title": "Issa Rae Sets HBO Pilot About Male Friendship and Pro Boxers in Las Vegas",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/issa-rae-sets-hbo-pilot-about-male-friendship-and-pro-boxers-in-las",
        "published": "2026-08-25T15:41:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}