It seems that Jake Paul‘s next project will have the feel of late-night TV. Paul, the controversial YouTube star who has more than 14 million subscribers on his channel, is reportedly planning a talk show pilot in conjunction with YouTube Red, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
THR‘s report indicates that Paul will serve as an executive producer on the show while also hosting it. Studios Propagate Content and Five All in the Fifth Entertainment are involved in the production, and Gavin Purcell, who is best known for his innovative work at The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (he’s worked at Vox, too) will be the executive producer for the show’s upcoming pilot.
Details about the project are few and far between, in part because YouTube has kept relatively quiet about its involvement. “Last year, we engaged in early development deals with a handful of YouTube creators as part of our normal process to evaluate new creative ideas,” a YouTube spokeswoman told THR. “There is no series order currently in place.”
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Giving Paul a series order would certainly be a risk for YouTube. The younger of the two Paul brothers has attracted extensive criticism during his time on YouTube, owing to his pranks, his treatment of neighbors, and his relationship with his collaborators. In recent months, as his brother Logan has generated significant controversy of his own (which led to the shelving of several other YouTube Red projects), Jake has taken strides to rehabilitate his image. He traveled to Florida in an attempt to take action on the issue of school shootings, and lamented his past during an interview on Good Morning America, referring to himself as an “imperfect role model.”
Is he ready, then, to have his own talk show? We may find out later this year. According to THR, the talk show’s pilot could be shot as early as May.
