Heads up, TV aficionados! Get ready to clear your schedules because NBC is cooking up something seriously special, and it involves one of our favorite comedic talents. Word on the street is that none other than Jake Johnson, the dude who made us fall in love with Nick Miller on New Girl and slung some seriously snarky lines as Peter B. Parker in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, is set to lead a brand-new private investigator comedy. This show sounds like it’s gonna be straight up fire!
This untitled pilot, which is already getting a lot of buzz, comes from the legit minds of Brooklyn Nine-Nine alums Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici. If you’re familiar with their work, you know these guys are wizards when it comes to blending sharp wit with heartfelt characters and procedural elements. So, a PI comedy from them starring Jake Johnson? Yeah, consider us hyped, no cap. This is an exciting move for Jake Johnson, who has consistently proven his comedic chops across various mediums.
For those living under a rock, Jake Johnson’s career has been, dare we say, iconic. From his breakout role as the lovable slacker Nick Miller, who somehow managed to be both a mess and totally endearing, to his more recent forays into voice acting and indie film, Johnson has a unique ability to infuse his characters with a blend of cynicism and unexpected warmth. It’s this very quality that makes him a spot-on choice for playing Mickey, the lead in this new PI series.
The logline for Goor and Del Tredici’s single-camera comedy sets a high bar, promising to continue “the proud tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Philip Marlowe and will end with this show.” That’s a bold claim, but given the talent involved, it’s not outside the realm of possibility. Mickey, Johnson’s character, is described as smart, cynical, and heartbroken—though he tries hard to hide it. He’s got a knack for the detective gig, but his current PI life kicked off three years ago after his career as an LAPD officer went sideways. Talk about a classic noir setup with a comedic twist!
The private investigator genre has a storied history in Los Angeles, from the gritty pages of Raymond Chandler to the iconic big-screen portrayals. Think about the cool, world-weary detectives like Humphrey Bogart’s Sam Spade or Jack Nicholson’s Jake Gittes. Then, Hollywood started playing with the formula, giving us more lighthearted takes like Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files, and later, the delightful quirks of Shawn Spencer and Gus Guster in Psych. What makes this new NBC pilot potentially dope is its promise to blend that classic LA PI vibe with the comedic sensibilities that Goor and Del Tredici are known for.
Speaking of the creative team, Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici aren’t just any showrunners; they’re the architects behind one of the most successful and beloved network comedies of the last decade, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Their ability to craft ensemble casts, deliver rapid-fire jokes, and still manage meaningful character development is unparalleled. The idea of them bringing that magic to a PI procedural-comedy? Honestly, it’s a match made in TV heaven. They’re writing the pilot and will executive produce, ensuring their signature style is baked right in.
Adding another layer of legit talent to the mix is Akiva Schaffer, who is on board to direct the pilot. Schaffer, a member of the legendary comedy trio The Lonely Island, brings a unique comedic vision and directorial prowess to the table. His work on films like Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping and the recent The Naked Gun remake shows his skill in crafting hilarious, visually engaging comedy. With Schaffer behind the camera, you know the visual gags and comedic timing are going to be on point.
It’s also interesting to note that Johnson’s casting is part of a broader trend at NBC this year, with a bunch of actors who rocked Fox series in the 2010s landing lead roles in new pilots. We’re talking about his New Girl co-star Damon Wayans Jr., David Boreanaz (from Bones), Emily Deschanel (also from Bones), Peter Krause (Parenthood), and Jane Lynch (Glee). It seems like NBC is highkey trying to tap into that proven comedic and dramatic talent, bringing established fan favorites back to the small screen. It’s a smart play, no cap, giving these new shows a built-in audience from day one.
For Johnson, this PI comedy isn’t his only gig in the pipeline. He’s set to star with Dakota Fanning in Joe Swanberg’s The Sun Never Sets, premiering at SXSW. Plus, he’s got two Apple TV+ projects on deck: The Dink, a feature comedy about pickleball (yes, you read that right!), and the series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. Dude is busy! It just goes to show that his range is no joke, moving seamlessly between network comedies, indie films, and major animated blockbusters. Fans are definitely eating good with all this new content.
With Jake Johnson at the helm, guided by the creative masterminds behind Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and directed by a comedic genius like Akiva Schaffer, this untitled NBC PI comedy has all the makings of a seriously fun show. It’s got that classic LA noir feel, wrapped in a modern, witty package. We’re stoked to see how Mickey’s cynical charm and PI skills play out.
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