YouTube Red Greenlights Liza Koshy Comedy

YouTube Red has given the go-ahead to Liza On Demand from digital star Liza Koshy and the team behind Josie & The Pussycats and Mary + Jane.

The eight-episode half-hour comedy will make its debut on YouTube Red in 2018 with Koshy starring and executive producing. Writers Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont (Josie & The Pussycats and Mary + Jane) will also executive produce. Courtney Carter will serve as an additional executive producer, while Sam Childs will produce. Liza On Demand will be produced by Above Average Productions, a digital-first comedy studio founded in 2012 by Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video.

The series marks the second time Koshy has partnered with YouTube and Above Average, following the release of her YouTube Red holiday special Jingle Ballin’ in 2016. YouTube Red is currently available in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Korea.

“Liza Koshy is an imaginative entertainer who loves to bring the audience along for the ride—and when she commits to a character, she is not afraid to go for it,” said Susanne Daniels, the global head of original content at YouTube. “Her meteoric rise on YouTube is proof that her style of comedy is resonating with millions of fans. We’re excited to team up with the creative minds behind this series and look forward to working with Liza, Deborah, Harry, Courtney and the team at Above Average to add another great comedy to our slate.”

“I can’t wait to bring #LizaOnDemand to my YouTube audience and hopefully a new audience too,” said Koshy. “Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont and Above Average are a dream to work with and this show is going to be so fun for folks of all ages, colors, creeds and backgrounds.”

“The first time we saw Liza’s one-of-a-kind characters, we knew we wanted to work with her,” said Above Average’s president of studio, Marc Lieberman. “Once she suggested a krumping dance opener for Jingle Ballin’ we grabbed her coattails and held on tight. We are thrilled YouTube had the foresight to bet on Liza and that her talents have attracted Deb Kaplan and Harry Elfont to bring this fun-filled adventure to life.”