Martin Short is poised to turn game show host for NBC.
The Damages Emmy nominee is wrapping up a negotiation to join the cast of the network's John Mulaney comedy pilot, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.
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The ensemble comedy was created, written by and stars stand-up comedian Mulaney and is based loosely on his life.
Short will play Lou Cannon, Mulaney's boss. He's a game show host, and Mulaney writes jokes for him.
Mulaney will pen the pilot for the untitled multicamera entry and executive produce the Universal Television, Broadway Video and 3 Arts entry alongside Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels, Andrew Singer, Dave Becky and David Miner.
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Short is an eight-time Emmy nominee for his work on Damages, Primetime Glick and SCTV Network, for which he earned the statuette for outstanding writing in a variety or music program in 1983.
The project reunites Short and Michaels, who worked together during the former's stint on SNL.
Repped by WME and Brillstein Entertainment, Short's credits include Frankenweenie, The Santa Clause 3, Weeds, How I Met Your Mother and Arrested Development.
E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
