Viceland has announced its first-ever scripted series with What Would Diplo Do?, a comedy that’s about exactly what the title sounds like.
The comedy is written and executive produced by James Van Der Beek, who is also the starring actor playing the famed producer. Other members of the creative team include Diplo, also an executive producer, Diplo’s manager, Kevin Kusatsu, and music video director Brandon Dermer.
The idea for What Would Diplo Do? comes from a concert promo for Diplo’s annual Mad Decent Block Party, called A Day in the Life. Van Der Beek starred in this as well, so he was already familiar with working with Diplo.
“[The promo] was fun and that was it,” he said to Deadline. “I never thought it would lead to a series.”
Now, described as “Louie meets WorldStar HipHop crossed with This Is Spinal Tap,” WWDD will tell parables about life through Diplo’s eyes. There will also be room for improv throughout the show, despite being completely scripted. Van Der Beek described the show as “not taking itself too seriously.”
Viceland co-presidents Spike Jonze and Eddie Moretti are also in great support of the show due to the clever – and of course, funny – storylines.
“I’m excited to have this show on the channel,” Moretti told Deadline. “It’s hilarious. It’s weird. James’ interpretation of Diplo is like a modern cipher into which we can read the whole of human existence…or not.”
The six-episode series is set to premiere later this year.
