For its first scripted series, Viceland’s going to venture into the life of Diplo, the DJ, producer, songwriter, and Justin Bieber collaborator. A press release for the series, titled What Would Diplo Do?, describes it as ”Louie meets WorldStar HipHop crossed with This Is Spinal Tap,” which we’re quite certain will not turn out to be an overly ambitious statement in hindsight. The idea sprang from a concert promo Diplo filmed, in which he was played with winking irony by James Van Der Beek, who knows a thing or two about portraying fictionalized versions of stars.
Diplo will executive produce along with Kevin Kusatsu and Brandon Dermer, the latter of whom will also direct. Van Der Beek will also serve as showrunner, as he’s already pitched a few storylines about the Mad Decent founder. Viceland co-president Spike Jonze sounds pretty sold on Van Der Beek’s ideas, one of which made him “emotional which made it that much more funny.” So, it’s touching and funny? Then might we suggest calling it Diplo’s Creek instead? Also, can Viceland get Diplo to cover that Paula Cole song for the theme?
Viceland viewers will learn What Would Diplo Do? some time later this year.