Nellie Andreeva

Everyone has been wondering where the next big reality format idea would come from. Funny or Die video is throwing its hat into the ring, generating a lot of buzz in the unscripted marketplace with a viral video starring singer Jewel.

Titled Undercover Karaoke with Jewel, it was posted on the comedy site on Wednesday and generated 2.5 million views in its first 3 days. It features Jewel disguised as a mousy-looking, mild-mannered businesswoman who has a Susan Boyle moment when she performs some of her signature songs to a dumbfounded audience at a local karaoke bar. I hear the Funny or Die team, including the video’s creator Eric Appel, are out there with a concept for a reality show based on the hit video, which would feature music stars from the past 4 decades going undercover to places where comedic situations will ensue, showcasing their talent. There has been a lot of interest in the idea and I hear it is being pitched to a number of networks this week. But I hear that the video has also spurred a slew of other pitches, with the networks getting a lot of calls in the past few days from producers shopping similar ideas. CBS has had success in the past year with reality projects about well-known people going undercover: its hit freshman series Undercover Boss and series of specials I Get That A Lot.

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