Shaq Starring In New Workplace Scripted Comedy? Retired NBA Legend Partnering Up With TruTv for 'Veep'-like Sitcom 'Shaq Inq'

Shaquille O'Neal: TV comedy superstar? The retired NBA legend and NBA on TNT panelist has announced a that he will be moving into the Veep-like scripted workplace comedy arena with Tru TV, having already er, 'conquered' basketball, movies, hip-hop, video games, web series, reality TV and the law. The former NBA All-Star center -- who's 7' 2" and (roughly) a kajillion pounds -- will helm the TV show loosely based around and inspired by his business empire, which already includes Soda Shaq, a jewelry line, 24-Hour Fitness clubs, Five Guys pizza chains and more, and his staff. Bring on Shaq Inq. (And of course it's called Shaq Inq. It was always going to be 'Inq').

Shaq, the movie star? #ExplainThe90sIn4Words pic.twitter.com/f3KmJUuEh2

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 21, 2015

The 20-year NBA veteran, who has been a panelist on TNT's NBA studio show since retiring in 2011, has bucked the trend of broke NBA superstars and turned himself into a business mogul, and now we'll have a 30-minute TV show where Shaq will do his best Michael Scott for Tru TV. 

Deadline report that Shaq Inq. is "Said to be in the tone of Veep," and the scripted comedy will follow "O'Neal and the team who runs his businesses."

They add that the team will be juggling "the mayhem of managing Shaq's existing products and endorsements while implementing his latest batch of eccentric and oftentimes brilliant business ideas."

Shaquille O'Neal to Star in Scripted Comedy for TruTV https://t.co/4xRVk80zaf @SHAQ pic.twitter.com/f9HIbQACv7

— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 23, 2015

As The Hollywood Reporter say, The Wedding Ringer and The Break Up writer Jeremy Garelick "will pen the script," for Shaq Inq, while John Fortenberry (Galavant) will direct."

Executive producer Mike Tollin told The Hollywood Reporter that "Shaquille and I have been friends for 20 years, and his growth as a businessman never ceases to amaze and amuse me."

The Reporter also quoted Chris Linn, TruTV president and head of programming, saying that "There is no denying Shaq's multifaceted appeal. Thus, we couldn't be happier to be collaborating with him, as well as Mike Tollin and Mandalay Sports Media, as we continue to push into new formats."