Ken Jeong is moving from prime time to daytime as he prepares to host his own syndicated daytime talk show.
The 54-year-old doctor and actor, who is currently one of the judges on Fox’s hit reality show “The Masked Singer,” is developing the show, which is scheduled to premiere in 2024, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Jeong will serve as both host and executive producer alongside veteran talk show and sketch comedy producer Jim Biederman (The Howard Stern Radio Show, Kids in the Hall).
While Jeong is a SAG-AFTRA actor, the show is produced under the guild’s Network Code, another agreement under which the actors are currently on strike.
The Network Code includes talk shows, variety shows and other unscripted programs.
From primetime to daytime: Ken Jeong is moving from primetime to daytime as he prepares to host his own syndicated daytime talk show
Next year: The 54-year-old doctor and actor, who is currently one of the judges on Fox’s hit reality show “The Masked Singer,” is developing the show, which is scheduled to premiere in 2024, according to The Hollywood Reporter
“Ken is one of the few people in the world who has what it takes to succeed as a talk show host and we are excited to be doing business with him,” said Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Amber a statement.
“Audiences connect with Ken on many levels – not just because he is so talented, entertaining and incredibly funny, but because they feel that he is sincere, compassionate, fearless, kind and just really nice – all essential ingredients “that ensure long-term success.” a talk show host,” they added.
“He is also a talent who can conquer any time period with his mix of comedy, Hollywood celebrity friends and ability to transport audiences,” they concluded.
While completing medical school in New Orleans, he won the 1995 Big Easy Laff-Off, where he was encouraged by the competition’s judges – NBC president Brandon Tartikoff and The Improv founder Budd Friedman – to move to Los Angeles.
In 1998, he eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as an internal medicine doctor at Kaiser Permanente while also performing regularly at comedy clubs.
While he landed guest appearances on “The Office,” “MadTV,” “Entourage” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” his big break came in 2007 when he played Dr. Kuni played in “Knocked Up.”
Jeong transitioned to full-time entertainer when he began filming “Knocked Up,” but still maintains his medical license.
He later starred in hit films such as The Hangover trilogy and played the popular Senor Chang on the hit NBC series Community.
Host with the Most: “Ken is one of a few people in the world who has what it takes to be successful as a talk show host, and we are excited to do business with him,” said Mort Marcus, co-president of Debmar-Mercury and Ira Bernstein said in a statement
Full-time: Jeong transitioned to full-time entertainer when he began filming “Knocked Up,” but still maintains his medical license
Protest: Jeong also made headlines in 2022 when he and fellow judge Robin Thicke walked off the set of The Masked Singer in protest when Rudy Giuliani was exposed
Quick: It was reported that Ken and Robin “quickly left the stage in protest” of Rudy’s involvement.
He is also set to reprise his role as Senor Chang in the long-awaited Community film.
The comedian most recently starred in the Apple TV Plus series “The Afterparty” and voices Cooper in “Adventures in Wonder Park.”
He also has a number of films in post-production, including Tiger Mom and My Spy: The Eternal City.
Jeong also made headlines in 2022 when he and fellow judge Robin Thicke walked off the set of The Masked Singer in protest when Rudy Giuliani was exposed.
It was reported that Ken and Robin “quickly left the stage in protest” of Rudy’s involvement.