“Kensday” may soon be everyday. “Community” star and “The Masked Singer” panelist Ken Jeong is eyeing a daytime talk strip for 2024, to be developed and produced by Lionsgate’s Debmar-Mercury shingle. Jeong will executive produce with Jim Biederman (“The Kids in the Hall,” “The Howard Stern Radio Show.”
“Ken is one of a handful of people in the world who has what it takes to succeed as a talk show host and we are excited to be in business with him,” Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein said in a joint statement. “”Audiences connect with Ken on many levels – not only because is he so talented, entertaining and unapologetically hilarious but their sense that he is sincere, compassionate, fearless, friendly, just genuinely nice – all essential ingredients that make for long-term success as a talk show host. He is also a talent capable of conquering any time period with his mix of comedy, Hollywood celebrity friends and ability to bring viewers.”
Debmar-Mercury is also behind the talk strip “Sherri,” hosted by Sherri Shephard, and before that distributed “The Wendy Williams Show.”
Besides serving as a panelist on “The Masked Singer,” Jeong also executive produces and hosts Fox’s “I Can See Your Voice,” based on another South Korean format. His sitcom credits include “Community” and “Dr. Ken,” and he recently starred in Season 2 of Apple TV+’s “The Afterparty.” Next up, he’ll be seen in Amazon’s “My Spy: The Eternal City.”
Originally a physician, Jeong broke into comedy and acting via the films “Knocked Up” and “The Hangover” franchise. He has also appeared in Mike Myers’ “The Pentaverate,” Will Arnett’s “Murderville,” NBC’s “The Office” and HBO’s “Entourage” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Jeong also fronted the Netflix standup special “You Complete Me, Ho,” and appeared in films including “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Pineapple Express,” “Step Brothers,” “Ride Along 2,” “Dark of the Moon,” “Couples Retreat” and “Goosebumps 2.”
