Mindy Kaling is branching out into politics — political TV comedies, in particular. Deadline reports that the “Mindy Project” creator and star has acquired the rights to former Obama White House deputy chief of staff Alyssa Mastromonaco’s memoir. Kaling plans to develop “Who Thought This Was a Good Idea? And Other Questions You Should Have Answers to When You Work in the White House” for TV. The “Office” alumna is producing the project with 3 Arts Entertainment.
Published in March, Mastromonaco’s book is a rare female perspective in a genre dominated by men. Deadline describes the memoir as “less political diatribe [and more of a] gossip session with an older sister” in which Mastromonaco shares stories about “putting out fires, meeting with world leaders, and occasionally winning elections.” She also reveals that she was behind the installation of the White House’s first tampon machine. (Note: We’re proud of Mastromonaco for this but WTF, D.C.? You couldn’t acknowledge that your female staff bleeds each month until the 21st century? Boo.)
Mastromonaco worked for Obama for nearly ten years. “She served as assistant to the president and director of scheduling and advance at the White House from 2009–11 and as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff for operations at the White House from 2011–14,” the source details. Currently, Mastromonaco is A+E Networks’ President of Global Communications Strategy & Talent.
Deadline adds that it was Obama himself who introduced Mastromonaco and Kaling back in 2012, and the women have been friends ever since.
Kaling is adding this project to an already jam-packed schedule. “The Mindy Project” recently wrapped its fifth season and the Hulu comedy will return for its sixth and final season this September. The multi-hyphenate will appear in the all-female “Ocean’s Eight” and Ava DuVernay’s “Wrinkle in Time,” and will act alongside Emma Thompson in an untitled movie centered on a late night talk show host. Kaling wrote the script for the latter.
The “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” and “Why Not Me?” author is also serving as exec producer on NBC’s upcoming series “Champions.” Kaling wrote the pilot for the sibling comedy with her “Mindy Project” and “Office” colleague Charlie Grandy, and is set to recur as a guest star.
