Former NFL quarterback Eli Manning took on a fun persona last summer as Chad Powers to showcase the process of trying to walk on with Penn State football. The comedy segment was good for a few laughs as Manning tried fitting in with others trying to make the football program, and even a few coaches gave it a little bit of thought after seeing what Manning could do with the football. It all led to a fun reveal as Manning tore off the disguise and drew a good laugh from all involved in the process.
Now, Hulu is hoping to cash in on the idea themselves.
According to a report from Variety this week, the streaming platform has ordered a half-hour comedy series titled “Chad Powers” with Glen Powell starring in the lead role. Howell will reportedly co-write the series with Michael Waldron. So, how exactly would the series work?
According to Variety;
The official description for the series states, “When bad behavior nukes hotshot QB Russ Holliday’s (Powell) college career, he disguises himself and walks onto a struggling Southern football team as the talented, affable Chad Powers.”
The duo of Howell and Waldron are taking obvious inspiration from Manning’s fun little segment when he visited a Penn State practice last year.
“When we saw Eli as Chad Powers, we knew that was the way into a big, fun story about this world,” Powell and Waldron said in a joint statement, according to Variety. “We’re excited to be part of this team, and can’t wait to get Chad in the game. Think fast, run fast.”
Hulu has ordered the half-hour comedy series “Chad Powers” from Glen Powell and Michael Waldron, Variety has learned. The show is based on the Chad Powers character created by Eli Manning for his EPSN+ docuseries “Eli’s Places.”
Powell will star in the series in addition to… pic.twitter.com/wvzDZRmIxJ
— Variety (@Variety) February 22, 2024
Manning will have a hand in the production of the show as well. He and his brother, Peyton Manning, will be executive producers with Omaha Productions. ESPN will also have a hand in the production after creating it for Eli Manning’s “Eli’s Places” series on ESPN+.
“The love for Chad Powers has surprised me in spectacular ways,” Manning said Manning in a statement. “I played 16 years in the NFL, but now when I’m in a restaurant or walking through an airport, it’s not uncommon for fans to scream, ‘Hey Chad!”
He truly is one of the most popular quarterbacks in Penn State history.
You can see the segment that inspired it all right here.
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