Nellie Andreeva

J.J. PhilbinZooey DeschanelEXCLUSIVE: New Girl star Zooey Deschanel is expanding her relationship with the series’ network, Fox, and producing entities, 20th Century Fox TV and Chernin Entertainment. Deschanel is executive producing Must Be Nice, a comedy written by New Girl consulting producer J.J. Philbin, which has sold to Fox with a script commitment. 20th TV and studio-based Chernin Entertainment are producing along with Deschanel’s Hello Giggles.

Must Be Nice explores the generation gap between two women who are only 7 years apart when a single, chaotic, 27 year-old moves in with her more responsible, 34-year-old, married sister. Philbin and Deschanel will executive produce with Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope and Deschanel’s Hello Giggles partners Sophia Rossi and Molly McAleer (2 Broke Girls). Deschanel, Rossi and McAleer last year launched female-centric Web site Hello Giggles, and are now expanding their brand to television.

This marks the second comedy project for Philbin this season. She also is executive producing High Life, from the brother-and-sister writing duo Will Reiser (50/50) and Robin Reiser. The project, also from 20th TV, is at NBC with a put pilot commitment. Deschanel is with CAA and Seven Summits. UTA reps Rossi and Philbin who is managed by 3 Arts. McAleer is repped by WME and Mosaic.

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