Controversial vlogger Jake Paul, brother to similarly controversial vlogger Logan Paul, is developing a talk show for YouTube Red. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paul will host and executive produce the show, which is described as having a “late-night variety show feel.” The pilot for the as-of-yet untitled series is expected to start shooting as early as May.
Gavin Purcell will executive produce the pilot. (Purcell produced Late Night with Jimmy Fallon before working as head of video for The Verge’s parent company, Vox Media; he recently signed on as showrunner for Sarah Silverman’s upcoming Hulu show I Love You, America.) However, a YouTube spokesperson told Variety that the Paul show is just one of several projects the service has in early development with YouTube creators, and no series orders have been placed yet.
Paul previously appeared on the Disney channel series Bizaardvark, though he was removed from the show following a viral news report. In that case, a KTLA 5 news segment detailed complaints from Paul’s neighbors, including allegations that he and his friends had set fire to furniture in a swimming pool, and contributed to general chaos in the neighborhood.
Although Paul is best known for his antics on Vine and YouTube, he’s clumsily tackled more serious topics. Earlier this month, he interviewed Marco Rubio and survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting about gun violence. Paul’s move to a more typical talk show format would seem to signify that the YouTube star is hoping to transition to a more traditional entertainment role, a perception bolstered by the presence of a producing figure like Purcell.