Celebrity blogger and new father Perez Hilton will document his adventures in fatherhood with a new docuseries.
Hilton is teaming with Bunim/Murray Productions (The Real World, Keeping Up With the Kardashians) for Gay Dads of New York, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
The project, which is currently casting and has yet to be taken out to networks, will follow single father Hilton -- who welcomed his first son in February via surrogate -- and a group of gay dads both single and married as they support each other through the ups and downs of raising children.
The series will be executive produced by Bunim/Murray Productions and OMG Productions. OMG's Suzy Unger, Steven Grossman and Mario Lavandeira (aka Hilton) will executive produce alongside Bunim/Murray's Jonathan Murray, Gil Goldschein and Scott Freeman.
“I immediately responded to the Gay Dads of New York concept because my partner and I were part of one of the first gay dads support groups in Los Angeles back in 1998,” Bunim/Murray chairman Murray said. "Whether it's a single dad like Perez, or married gay dads, becoming a gay parent affects your relationships with family and friends, all of which will make fascinating stories.”
For Hilton, this will mark his latest foray into reality TV following work on MTV's Paris Hilton's My New BFF, VH1's What Perez Says and ITV's Perez Hilton Super Fan.
"What is your typical American family like? These days, it looks a lot like mine! I am honored and excited to bring to television a show that will be filled with love, humor and drama. What will it not be? Trashy or boring! I am thrilled to have partnered with the leaders and innovators of reality television, Bunim/Murray, to create a program that is compelling and real,” Hilton said. “Up until now people know me more for my opinions than who I am. This show will give viewers the opportunity to get to know the 'real' Perez Hilton and my family, as well as some other really dynamic gay dads, and the women that make up their support system. I am a recent transplant to New York City, looking for friends and open to -- hopefully -- love. To new beginnings and this exciting new venture!"
Added Unger: "I brought the project to Bunim/Murray because of their brilliant storytelling, unbelievable track record in reality television and what I consider the best eye for casting shows in the business. I have worked with Jon and his team for many years, and they are not only pioneers in the reality space, but they remain groundbreaking producers. We are proud to be working with them."
For Hilton, repped by KMR and Morris Yorn, the TV gig comes two years after he published The Boy With Pink Hair, a children's book inspired by his own childhood as an outcast.
Meanwhile, openly gay Scandal Emmy winner Dan Bucatinsky is adapting his parenting book as a scripted dramedy with Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers. Show & Tell -- based on his best-seller Does This Baby Make Me Look Straight -- is a fast-paced hourlong entry about the lives, loves and scandalous secrets of a group of parents whose kids all attend the same school.
Those interested in casting can visit the site for the show by clicking here.
E-mail: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
