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Apple TV+ might have found its golden goose. The streamer has already established itself as one of the sources of high-quality entertainment, but it's not always that it bets on original ideas like Severance and Ted Lasso. Instead, the Tim Cook company has been honing in on the ink and paper world — book adaptations have proven themselves as excellent sources for the development of new TV series.

Not that Apple hasn't been doing it from the start. Some of the shows that helped launch the platform were inspired or fully based on books — The Morning Show is inspired by the best-selling book Top of the Morning, andFoundationdoes the immensely difficult job of adapting the novel series written by Isaac Asimov. The results keep piling up: in 2023, The Morning Show hit record viewership on the platform (per Deadline), while Foundation boasts a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Both series will roll out new episodes this year.

Apple TV+ is set to adapt Elissa Sussman’s bestselling novel, “Funny You Should Ask,“ released in the year 2022. Bridgerton star, the soul of the show, Regé-Jean Page, will be one of the leads and also the executive producer of the production. The plot will explore themes that include public perception through fame, missed opportunities, self-discovery, and, of course, being a rom-com, romance.

In its early development, Funny You Should Ask’s announcement was made by Deadline, covering that Page, alongside his producing partner (and long-time girlfriend) Emily Brow, has been working on the project. Scroll down to find out everything we know about the release dates, cast reveal, and more information!

What Is the Story of Funny You Should Ask Regé-Jean Page acted in Bridgerton as Simon Basset as the Duke of Hastings | Credits: Netflix

Following his highly praised performance in Bridgerton, Regé-Jean Page will reprise his role in Funny You Should Ask.

One of Bridgerton'sbiggest breakout stars is developing an adaptation of a bestselling romance that draws influence from James Bond. Since its debut in 2020, Bridgerton has become one of the world's most popular shows, attracting a massive audience on Netflix. Bridgerton season 4 is underway, but actors who have exited the show have other projects in the works.

Despite appearing in just one season, Regé-Jean Page has been one of the biggest breakout stars from the series. Page's next project is for Apple TV+, where he's producing and planning to star in an adaptation of Funny You Should Ask(via Deadline). The novel, written by Elissa Sussman, explores the romantic connection between a young journalist and a Hollywood heartthrob.

In the world of the novel, the aforementioned Hollywood heartthrob is the actor playing James Bond. This creates an interesting meta element for the series, as Regé-Jean Page has been one of...

It's been a while since we saw Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page on the small screen. Since his breakthrough role in the smash-hit Netflix original romantic drama series, which he only starred in for its debut season, Page moved away from television to build a film career. He's starred in the likes of The Gray Man, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and Black Bag.

But we could soon see the erstwhile Duke back on the small screen. No, he hasn't finally agreed to make an appearance in an upcoming season of Bridgerton, but Regé-Jean Page might star in another romantic series based on a best-selling novel. According to Deadline, Page will executive produce and possible star in an adaptation of Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman on Apple TV+.

Regé-Jean Page likely to star in Funny You Should Ask on Apple TV+

Deadline reports that Apple and Tomorrow Studios...

Josh Segarra (Arrow, Abbott Elementary) has boarded Best Medicine, Fox’s adaptation of the popular UK series Doc Martin.

Described as a “charmingly complicated one-hour comedy,” Best Medicine centers on Dr. Martin Best (The Good Wife‘s Josh Charles), a surgeon who abruptly leaves his illustrious career in Boston to become the general practitioner in a quaint East Coast fishing village where he spent summers as a child.

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Josh Segarra (Arrow, Abbott Elementary) has boarded Best Medicine, Fox’s adaptation of the popular UK series Doc Martin.

Described as a “charmingly complicated one-hour comedy,” Best Medicine centers on Dr. Martin Best (The Good Wife‘s Josh Charles), a surgeon who abruptly leaves his illustrious career in Boston to become the general practitioner in a quaint East Coast fishing village where he spent summers as a child.

More from TVLineGeneral Hospital's Kirsten Storm Announces Extended Break as Maxie, 'Incredible' Storyline in Her AbsenceCasting News: Brilliant Minds Adds 2, Lego Masters Jr. Names Host and MoreBella Ramsey to Star in UK...

Bridgerton breakout Rege-Jean Page, along with his producing partner (and girlfriend) Emily Brown, have found their next project: an adaptation of Elissa Sussman’s 2022 book “Funny You Should Ask” for Apple.

The pair will executive produce the TV series, with the 37-year-old actor also eyed to star.

Keep reading to find out more…

Here’s the synopsis, per Deadline: “Funny You Should Ask is a love story that centers on a restless young journalist with big dreams who interviews a Hollywood heartthrob – and then reunites with him ten years later to discover exactly how he feels about her.”

The “Hollywood heartthrob” is the role eyed by Rege-Jean at this time, but there’s also a fun James Bond connection. In the book, the character is the next 007! Many fans have hoped Rege-Jean will actually be the next choice to play James Bond after Daniel Craig stepped away from the role...

Bridgerton fans are in for a treat because Regé-Jean Page has just scored a new, exciting adaptation. The actor stole the hearts of the audience as Simon, the Duke of Hastings, in Bridgerton Season 1, but has since moved on to other projects.

Page has now scored the leading role in an upcoming exciting adaptation: Elissa Sussman’s best-selling novel, Funny You Should Ask. The rom-com novel will be turned into a TV series at Apple TV+, Deadline reported, with the actor set to star. The rom-com also has a funny real-life connection to James Bond.

Sussman published Funny You Should Ask in 2022, and it follows a young journalist who feels like she gets stuck behind while all her former colleagues are making big career advances. However, it all changes when she gets the chance to interview a Hollywood heartthrob, and their time spent together makes a lasting impression on her,...

Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Apple has landed for development a TV series based on Elissa Sussman’s best-selling novel Funny You Should Ask, with Regé-Jean Page and his producing partner Emily Brown executive producing through their A Mighty Stranger Production banner, Deadline has learned. The intention is for Page to star in the Tomorrow Studios project, which is now in early stages, with Rachel Alter writing the adaptation, sources said.

A rep for Apple declined comment.

Published in 2022, Funny You Should Ask is a love story that centers on a restless young journalist with big dreams who interviews a Hollywood heartthrob – and then reunites with him ten years later to discover exactly how he feels about her.

In an element of art imitating life, the movie star in the book — the role Page is poised to play — is the latest James Bond. Brit Page himself has...

Exclusive: What does a long-running game show have to do to get another two-year renewal? Funny You Should Ask.

Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group has ordered Seasons 9 and 10 of its nationally syndicated comedy game, taking the daily half-hour strip through 2026-27.

Hosted as always by Jon Kelley, Funny You Should Ask features a panel of professional stand-up comics who interact with contestants for cash, prizes and laughs. The stakes increase in every episode as contestants ask the comedians questions, with the comics giving humorous replies.

“Funny You Should Ask is the perfect comedy game show for the entire family,” said Allen, founder, chairman and CEO of Allen Media Group. “We are very proud of this series because the world can never have enough laughter.”

Related: 2025 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming

Since its launch in fall 2017, Funny You Should Ask has featured such talent as Allen himself,...

Exclusive: Paula Abdul is among an ensemble cast for a feature-length podcast from Steven Jay Rubin (Bleacher Bums), Billy Riback (Home Improvement) and stand-up comic Bruce Smirnoff.

The American Idol star is starring in Spacemen From Planet Judy alongside Phil Hendrie (Rick and Morty), Hal Rudnick (Reno 911), John Mariano (The Offer) and Eric Waddell (Funny You Should Ask).

It begins when all of Earth’s gay males, and two straight men dressed in drag because there was a mix-up in their Halloween costumes, are abducted to the distant planet Judy (named after Judy Garland), the gay haven world of the universe, where they will live in freedom without oppression.

Inadvertently kidnapped, bumbling information technology specialists Mitch (Hendrie) and Lenny (Rudnick) find themselves on an exotic world of constant partying, mingling and cuddling, all run by the Golden Ram Man (Mariano), a mad tyrant who abhors insubordination and seeded grapes.

Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group has cut a new overall deal with Jon Kelley, the host of the syndicated game show Funny You Should Ask.

In addition to the game show, Kelley does color commentary on Amg’s Hbcu sports coverage, and hosts some entertainment and lifestyle programming produced by Amg. Under the terms of the deal Kelley will also EP TV and streaming programs for Amg.

A former anchor for Fox Sports, Kelley also hosted the syndicated entertainment news show Extra, and the reality competition series The Mole.

“Jon Kelley is an incredibly talented, brilliant, and charismatic television host and executive producer,” said Allen in a statement. “We are blessed to have the skillful and enthusiastic participation he brings each and every day.”

“I’m energized and honored to continue my journey as a part of Allen Media Group’s historic movement and explosive business growth,” added Kelley.

What’s CBS doing in primetime next weekend? Funny You Should Ask.

The network will air four new episodes of the comedy game show Byron Allen Presents Funny You Should Ask from 8-10 p.m. Saturday, December 9. Hosted by The Mole‘s Jon Kelley, the veteran syndicated series from Allen Media Group features a panel of comedians who interact with contestants for cash and laughs.

The CBS episodes will feature Byron Allen, Adam Carolla, Whitney Cummings, Vivica A. Fox, Billy Gardell, Jamie Kennedy, Natasha Leggero, Jon Lovitz, Jeff Ross and Sheryl Underwood.

“Funny You Should Ask is the perfect comedy game show for the entire family,” said Allen, founder, chairman and CEO of Allen Media Group. “The world needs laughs now more than ever.”

Related: 2023 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming

Debuting in 2017 as a daily half-hour strip, Funny You Should Ask sees contestants ask the...

Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.

Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:

Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys

2023 Emmy Predictions:

Outstanding Game Show

Weekly Commentary: “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune” are likely the favorites in this race. However, “That’s My Jam” is getting a big push by NBC, which could make it a possible spoiler.

Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Emmy predictions in all categories.

Jeff Vlaming, a writer and producer whose many credits stretch from Northern Exposure through such popular sci-fi series as The X-Files, Xena: Warrior Princess, Numb3rs, Fringe and Hannibal, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 63.

Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Related Story Austin Majors Dies: Former 'NYPD Blue' Child Actor Was 27 Related Story Scott Satin Dies: EP/Showrunner Of 'Funny You Should Ask' Was 64

Vlaming died January 30 at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, CA.

“Jeff Vlaming was one of the beautiful demented minds in the Hannibal writers room, often illustrating many of the cannibal psychiatrist’s lurid kills,” said Hannibal producer Bryan Fuller in a statement to Deadline. “His vivid imagination and artistic skill were matched only by his kindness and warm camaraderie. He will be greatly missed.”

With his first writing credits in the early 1990s — Lucky Luke, Northern Exposure, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.,...

Tom Luddy, the film producer who co-founded Telluride Film Festival, died Monday in Berkeley, California, after a long illness, the festival confirmed. He was 79.

The producer behind films like “The Secret Garden” (1993) and “Barfly” (1987) co-founded the festival in 1974 with Bill and Stella Pence and James Card. He served as co-director, then artistic director and adviser through 2022.

“Tom was a force in the film industry for nearly six decades,” Telluride wrote in a release. “He had a life-long love and passion for film, and a tireless dedication to film restoration, distribution, and exhibition. His presence will be profoundly missed by the many people whose lives were touched by his kindness, artistry, and his innate ability to bring people together to make something beautiful.”

Also Read:

Austin Majors, Former ‘NYPD Blue’ Child Actor, Dies at 27

“The world has lost a rare ingredient that we’ll all be searching for, for some time,...

Scott Satin, a longtime producer for shows such as Funny You Should Ask and Most Outrageous Moments, has died. He was 64.

The Hollywood Reporter learned Satin died on Thursday following a years-long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy. Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that impacts certain parts of the brain.

The producer-writer-director began his entertainment career in the late ’80s with TV series such as Mathnet and Square One Television. Throughout the ’90s, he continued to work on projects like Hollywood Squares, The Byron Allen Show, Big Deal, The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show and Extreme Gong, a Game Show Network revival of The Gong Show.

As reality shows began to rise in popularity in the 2000s, Satin kept tapping into them by executive producing series like NBC’s Meet My Folks, Who Wants to Marry My Dad?, Who Wants to Be a Superhero? and Most Outrageous Moments – a...

Scott Satin, veteran television producer who recently worked on the comedy game show “Funny You Should Ask,” died on Thursday after a long battle with the neurogenerative disorder Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, according to a statement from Allen Media Group. He was 64 years old.

Satin began his TV producing career in the late 1980s with the PBS children’s TV series “Square One Television” and “Mathnet,” the latter being an educational parody of the ’60s police procedural “Dragnet.”

In the ’90s, Satin expanded to daytime TV with the Tom Bergeron-hosted revival of “Hollywood Squares,” “The Byron Allen Show” and “The Keenan Wayans Show.”

Also Read:

Howard Bragman, Veteran Hollywood Publicist and LGBTQ Activist, Dies at 66

Satin then made another genre shift to reality TV in the 2000s, producing shows like “Who Wants to Marry My Dad” and “Meet My Folks” for NBC, along with the Stan Lee-hosted “Who Wants to Be a Superhero?...

Scott Satin, a television producer with credits on Funny You Should Ask and the NBC clip show Most Outrageous Moments, died Thursday after a long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). He was 64 years old.

Satin also teamed with Byron Allen on the comedy series The First Family and Mr. Box Office, serving as a writer and EP. which he served as both writer and executive producer. His resume includes the shows World’s Funniest Weather.

Allen and Satin first teamed on The Byron Allen Show in the 1990s.

“The Gong Show, Let’s Make A Deal, Hollywood Squares… just a few icons of television Game Show history, and he touched them all,” read a Facebook post from Allen Media Group. “Scott’s creative talents will continue to make millions laugh, and that is how we’ll remember him.”

Survivors include his wife, Jaime, and his children, Ryan, Sam and Danielle.

Scott Satin, a television producer with credits on “Funny You Should Ask” and “Most Outrageous Moments,” died Thursday after a years-long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). He was 64 years old.

Satin created the NBC clip show “Most Outrageous Moments.” Narrated by John Cramer, the series ran for four seasons from 2005 to 2009.

In more recent years, Satin partnered with Byron Allen on the comedy series “The First Family” and “Mr. Box Office,” on which he served as both writer and executive producer. Satin also earned credits on “World’s Funniest Weather” and “Funny You Should Ask,” which remains in syndication with over 200 episodes.

Satin first collaborated with Allen on “The Byron Allen Show” in the 1990s. After beginning his career with “Square One Television” and “Mathnet,” Satin rounded into form with his work with Allen, along with credits on programs such as “Hollywood Squares,” “Big Deal,” “The Keenan Ivory Wayans...

Louie Anderson, the iconic Emmy-winning comedian, actor and game show host, died Friday in Las Vegas after battling cancer, his publicist confirmed to Variety. He was 68.

A seasoned stand-up with a career spanning over four decades, Anderson broke through as a comedian in 1984 when he performed a set on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” From there, he performed a comedy special on Showtime in 1987, made regular TV appearances on late-night shows and appeared in movies such as “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” in 1986 and “Coming to America” in 1988.

In 1995, Anderson produced, created and starred in the Fox original animated series “Life With Louie.” Like much of Anderson’s stand-up, “Life With Louie” was based heavily on his experiences growing up in Saint Paul, Minn., in a large family of 11 children. The comic voiced a fictionalized version of his eight-year-old self in the show, winning two Daytime Emmys for performer in an animated program.

Louie Anderson, the veteran comedian, game show host and three-time Emmy winner, has died. He was 68.

The Baskets star died Friday morning in Las Vegas, where he had entered hospital this week for treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, a form of cancer, his longtime publicist Glenn Schwartz told Deadline.

A constant presence on stage and screen since the mid-1980s, Anderson won the 2016 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Christine Baskets, the mother of the Zach Galifianakis-portrayed Chip and Dale on the FX series. The actor was nominated in the category over three consecutive years starting in 2016 for his Baskets performance. Anderson also won two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for Fox’s Life with Louie in 1997 and 1998.

According to Schwartz, Anderson, one of 11 children, was a counselor to troubled children before launching his comedy career...

This TV genre suffered a scandal in 1950s that nearly wiped it off screens, but endures as one of the most popular programming types today. Now, the history of these shows finally has a physical home of its own.

What is… the game show?!

The first quiz show launched on radio in 1923; now, nearly 100 years later, the National Archives of Game Show History has launched at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y. Veteran TV producers Bob Boden (“Funny You Should Ask”) and Howard Blumenthal (“Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?”) have co-founded the archives and will curate the collection.

Boden and Blumenthal are aiming to acquire materials and records from game show professionals, such as producers, performers, directors, designers, writers, executives, and staff members. They’re looking for items like scripts, set designs, props, technical plans, marketing materials, creative plans, production plans, and more. The...

Byron Allen acquired The Weather Channel three year ago, gathered scientists at its Atlanta campus and asked “Are we in trouble?”

After an unequivocal yes, “I decided not to be Switzerland,” the founder Allen Media Group/Entertainment Studios told TCA Tuesday. Environmental journalists face pressure to avoid offending climate change non-believers. But “I am going to go with the scientists, because people don’t understand that global warming is the greatest threat to planet earth.” Hurricanes, fires and other weather events can’t be covered in a vacuum. “Having The Weather Channel is really a big responsibility,” he said.

That $300 million deal was part of a string of acquisitions by Allen, one of the nation’s most successful Black entrepreneurs and businessmen overseeing TV channels and global production (including Funny You Should Ask comedy game show and America’s Court With Judge Ross), film distribution, digital media and broadcasting.

Born in 1960s Detroit,...

Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios said at Natpe today that is has handed a two-season renewal to Funny You Should Ask, its syndicated comedy game show host by Jon Kelley.

It’s the second consecutive twin-season renewal for the daily half-hour strip, with the previous one coming in January 2018. Today’s move will keep the show on the air through at least the 2022-23 season, which will be its sixth.

Produced and distributed by Entertainment Studios, Funny You Should Ask features a panel of professional stand-up comics who interact with contestants for cash and prizes. The stakes increase in every episode as contestants ask the comedians questions.

Produced by Entertainment Studios, the game show is cleared in 96% of the country including the top three markets: New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

“Funny You Should Ask is growing rapidly in all key demos,” Allen said. “This comedy game show is perfectly positioned for long-term success,...

On Thursday, October 17, the International Myeloma Foundation (Imf), the first and largest myeloma-specific foundation in the world, presented its 13th Annual Comedy Celebration benefiting the Peter Boyle Research Fund and supporting the Black Swan Research Initiative (Bsri) at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA.

Kevin Nealon, Patton Oswalt and Ray Romano attend the International Myeloma Foundation 13th Annual Comedy Celebration

Credit/Copyright: Araya Diaz/Getty Images for International Myeloma Foundation

Actor and comedian Ray Romano returned to host an unforgettable evening of laughs featuring some of the biggest names in comedy to raise money for research to find a cure for multiple myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells, and one of the fastest growing blood cancers in the world. Joining Romano on-stage was an all-star lineup of comics including Adam Carolla, Demetri Martin, Kevin Nealon, Patton Oswalt, Caroline Rhea and Amanda Seales (Insecure).

Additional attendees included Lesley Nicol (Downton Abbey), Alex Meneses,...

After buying MGM in 1986, legendary media mogul Ted Turner marveled that go-go media moguls are celebrated for being so rich, while their bankers constantly remind them that they owe a fortune.

“That’s exactly right,” chuckles Byron Allen of the parallels to his company Entertainment Studios, founded 25 years ago as Cf Entertainment. “And Ted’s one of my heroes.”

The standup comic-turned-Hollywood entrepreneur has built his privately owned company into a sizable entertainment enterprise with 650 employees. His burgeoning empire spans basic cable TV networks, over-the-top video streaming channels, motion pictures, TV production/syndication and digital media.

Two events in the past year provided transformative leaps: Allen acquired basic cable network the Weather Channel in March for a reported $300 million, and then lined up a $500 million credit line in September that can fuel more expansion. It is estimated that adding the Weather Channel lifted Entertainment Studios — solely owned by Allen — to about $600 million in annualized revenue.

Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios has ordered The World’s Funniest Weather, a new weekly half-hour TV comedy series executive produced by writer/producer Scott Satin (Most Outrageous Moments).

The World’s Funniest Weather is a comedy compilation series featuring weather-related video clips and comedic moments assembled from local and international television stations, national news organizations, and home videos.

The World’s Funniest Weather is the 42nd HD TV series from Entertainment Studios, one of the largest independent producers and distributors of first-run syndicated television programming for broadcast television stations, and owner of eight 24-hour HD television networks including The Weather Channel.

Satin was executive producer of NBC clip show Most Outrageous Moments. His other credits include the current Es comedy game show Funny You Should Ask, NBC’s Meet My Folks, Who Wants To Marry My Dad, Most Outrageous Game Show Moments, and Es sitcoms The First Family and Mr.

Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures’ Byron Allen will take center stage at CinemaCon April 25. He’s scheduled to welcome the National Association of Theatre Owners to the 28,000-square-foot Palace Ballroom for an early breakfast and keynote address.

Unless, you know, he doesn’t.

“I think I’m going to go,” said Allen April 17 from the Culver City set of “Funny You Should Ask.” He produces the gameshow that’s broadcast on his Comedy.TV, one of eight 24-hour networks he owns. That afternoon, he served as audience cheerleader and unofficial director, not only anchoring its quintet of comedian-panelists but also instructing “Baskets” Emmy-winner Louie Anderson and “Saturday Night Live” veteran Jon Lovitz to deliver their set-ups and punchlines again, from the top.

Presuming he does find himself in Vegas, he should find a rapt audience. People want to hear from Allen, if only to figure out what the hell he’s driving at.