NBC Greenlights Maya Rudolph-Martin Short Variety Show, Targets May Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)

NBC has formally given the greenlight to a long-gestating variety show to be co-hosted by Maya Rudolph and Martin Short and produced by Lorne Michaels. The Peacock is targeting a premiere in late May.

The project has been in the works for more than a year. Michaels is exec producing. Matt Roberts, a “Late Show with David Letterman” alum, and Erin David are producing along with Rudolph and Short.

NBC confirmed the series order but details about the number of episodes and format are still being sorted out. It’s expected to air live from NBC’s 30 Rock headquarters in New York.

The show, tentatively titled “Maya and Marty in Manhattan,” was a topic of conversation Thursday night among the current and former “Saturday Night Live” troupers who were on hand at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall for the center’s American Songbook tribute to Michaels, recognizing his long history of promoting musical acts on “SNL.” Rudolph and Short both appeared as part of the musical salute to Michaels at the event although they did not perform together.

Producing the show out of New York will allow numerous “SNL” hands to pitch in with material and guest shots. It’s expected to be a contemporary spin on “The Carol Burnett Show,” blending musical numbers, comedy sketches and celebrity guests. Rudolph previously hosted a one-off special for NBC, “The Maya Rudolph Show,” in May 2014 that was a trial run for a series.

Rudolph is known for her full-throated spoofs of musical figures, including Beyonce. She was a hit at the Michaels tribute with her performance of a medley of tunes ranging from “Saturday Night Is the Loneliest Night of the Week” to “Ol’ Man River,” all meant to demonstrate her affection for the producer.

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