A New Venture for Colin Jost
Colin Jost, best known for his role on Saturday Night Live (SNL), is stepping into a new and unexpected territory with the development of a Peacock drama series. In this upcoming project, Jost will portray Larry Lavin, a real-life Ivy League dentist who led one of the most significant cocaine trafficking operations on the East Coast. This revelation has surprised many, as it was not widely known that Jost was exploring such a serious role.
Jost has assured fans that his SNL responsibilities will not be impacted by this new venture. The series is based on the first season of the Audacy true crime podcast “Wolves Among Us,” and the official description offers a compelling glimpse into the story.
“By day, Larry Lavin was a respected Ivy League dentist and family man, by night, the East Coast’s most elusive cocaine kingpin. This series is inspired by the shocking and absurd true story of the suburban dentist who built a drug empire behind the facade of the American dream.”
Lavin’s criminal activities eventually led to his sentencing in 1986, where he received 22 years in prison for drug-related charges and an additional 20 years for tax evasion.
The Creative Team Behind the Project
The series is being written and showrun by Alex Barnow, who previously worked on all ten seasons of “The Goldbergs.” Jost will serve as an executive producer through his production company, No Notes Productions, which already has an overall deal at Universal Television.
Interestingly, the real-life Larry Lavin is also involved as a co-executive producer, adding another layer of complexity to the project. This collaboration makes the entire concept even more intriguing and potentially controversial.
Development Status and Potential Challenges
At this stage, the project is still in development and has not yet received a full series order. However, if it does get picked up, Jost would not be the first SNL cast member to successfully balance both roles.
Kenan Thompson managed to juggle his SNL duties with his NBC sitcom, while Aidy Bryant did the same with “Shrill.” Cecily Strong also balanced her SNL commitments with “Schmigadoon.” Therefore, Jost’s ability to manage both “Weekend Update” and a Peacock drama is not entirely uncharted territory.
Additional Information
While the project is still in its early stages, the potential for a major success is evident. The combination of Jost’s comedic background and the dark, true-crime narrative presents a unique opportunity for both the actor and the network.
As the development progresses, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how this ambitious project unfolds. The blend of humor and serious storytelling could set a new standard for television, showcasing Jost’s versatility as an actor and producer.
With the involvement of experienced creatives and the real-life story of Larry Lavin, this series has the potential to captivate audiences and spark conversations about the complexities of human behavior and the hidden dangers lurking beneath seemingly normal lives.
