‘The Voice’s Adam Levine & Writer Gene Hong Sell Autobiographical Comedy To NBC

EXCLUSIVE: The Voice coach Adam Levine continues his producing efforts with a single-camera comedy in development at NBC. The project, from Universal TV and Levine’s 222 Prods, is based on the real-life relationship between the Maroon 5 frontman and late-bloomer writer-producer Gene Hong (Community), who have been best friends and roommates since before they found success. Hong will write the pilot and executive produce with Levine, along with Levine’s childhood friend and longtime manager/producing partner Jordan Feldstein of 222 Prods. The project, whose development team includes Josh Gummersall, stems from the first-look deal Levine inked with NBC Entertainment in May. Feldstein is the brother of Jonah Hill, on whose Fox animated series, Allen Gregory, Hong worked before joining Community.

Levine and Hong previously teamed for another comedy project inspired by their relationship. In 2011, they developed a karaoke bar comedy for NBC, also written by Hong, which drew from the duo’s experience at a karaoke bar where their friendship started. Original Voice coach Levine, repped by CAA, is back for Season 5 of the hit NBC reality series, which premieres September 23, and will make his feature acting debut opposite Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley in Can A Song Save Your Life. WME-repped Hong recently wrote the tennis feature Break Point, starring Jeremy Sisto.