HBO will develop a Curb Your Enthusiasm-style comedy show, but for Black Hollywood this time

HBO continues to expand its horizons beyond the usual television fare while clinging to a previously successful formula. According to Deadline, the premium cable network has ordered a pilot for Mr. Director, from writer/director Salim Akil, “envisioned as being in the vein of Larry David’s documentary-style Curb Your Enthusiasm but with the backdrop of Black Hollywood,” because Larry David’s series didn’t really have much crossover appeal. Akil has most frequently been the showrunner and resident director for the BET series The Game, a spinoff from UPN’s Girlfriends, both of which were created by Akil's producing partner and wife, Mara Brock Akil. The couple also created and executive produced BET’s Being Mary Jane starring Gabrielle Union, which this year aired a 90-minute pilot and was picked up for a second season before the first had even premiered. Akil will star as himself in the HBO pilot, “which will explore…the outrageous and circuitous path [Akil has] taken to become one of Hollywood’s Top 50 showrunner/directors.” It's not the first time HBO has tried this, but even after the bad press Kanye West's pilot received when portions of it leaked and Wyatt Cenac screened the full episode at a Brooklyn comedy show, the network continues its attempts to make another Curb happen.