Jerrod Carmichael Inks Big Overall Deal With 20th TV

Jerrod Carmichael is putting down roots at 20th Century Fox Television.

The studio behind his critically acclaimed comedy The Carmichael Show has inked the writer, producer and actor to a sizable two-year overall deal. Under the pact, Carmichael will develop new projects for 20th TV alongside his longtime producing partner Ari Katcher via their Morningside Entertainment banner. He will write, produce and supervise other writers and potentially star in programming for the studio.

"The end of The Carmichael Show was a heartbreak for everyone at this studio, and Howard [Kurtzman, president of business operations at 20th] and I swore we'd be back in business with Jerrod if we had anything to say about it," 20th TV president of creative affairs Jonnie Davis said. "Lucky for us, he said yes. This is a guy whose inspiration is Norman Lear and it's not hard to see why — he speaks about what's happening in the world and he gets people talking even if the subject matter is uncomfortable. Oh, and he’s also hilarious. He’s an incredible talent and a 'television savant' and we’re thrilled he’s making 20th his exclusive home."

The deal comes three months after NBC canceled multicamera comedy The Carmichael Show after three critically hailed but low-rated seasons. While NBC executives denied that the cancellation was about ownership — the show was a co-production between Universal Television and 20th TV — that, paired with the show's small but loyal audience, factored into the network's decision to ax its longest-running comedy (which co-starred Tiffany Haddish, who broke out this summer).

Carmichael — who has often spoken of his admiration for Lear and drawn comparisons to the iconic showrunner — broke out with 2014's Neighbors, which was directed by Carmichael Show co-creator and executive producer Nicholas Stoller. He has since headlined a pair of HBO stand-up specials and had a role in the fifth Transformers feature (and is working on a memoir).

Carmichael and Katcher are repped by UTA and Ziffren Brittenham.

Jerrod Carmichael Inks Big Overall Deal With 20th TV