Wonderwall

Mac Miller to Star in Six-Part MTV2 Reality Series (Exclusive)

The Associated Press, Wednesday, December 19, 2012, 8:27am (PST)

The Hollywood Reporter -- Mac Miller is headed to Hollywood. MTV2 has begun production on reality series not unlike a real-life version of HBO's Entourage that follows the emerging music star as he and his friends -- the Most Dope Crew -- leave their hometown of Pittsburgh for the first time and embark on an adventure in Los Angeles, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. The six-part series, which will debut in the first quarter of 2013, also chronicles the production of Miller's highly anticipated new album, Watching Movies With the Sound Off.

PHOTOS: MTV Video Music Awards 2012: The Nominees "Yes, I have a show on MTV2," says Miller (nee Malcolm McCormick). "It's very cool. Being an independent artist, I think it's important to find different ways to bring attention to what you are doing. With Watching Movies coming out, I just want to do whatever I can to make sure everybody hears that." And though the series will serve as a tool to help expand Miller's fanbase and boost album sales, Paul Ricci, senior vp programming and development at MTV2, says that an expansion beyond the initial six episodes is not out of the question. "Too early to tell, but I definitely wouldn't rule it out," Ricci says. "Mac embodies so many of the passion points of the MTV2 audience -- he's successful, talented and incredibly savvy as an entrepreneur, but he's also an authentic, funny, relatable guy. He connects with his fans on such a deep level, but he also has a likability that will translate to a broader audience." Miller, 20, says that filming the series provided a welcomed reprieve from the rigors of recording.

PHOTOS: MTV Movie Awards Red Carpet: Best and Worst "The show is going to be cool, it's a little look into my life &hellip well, all the stuff you can show on TV," he says. "I have been living in my studio for months working on my album, so the show kind of forced me to get out of that room and go do something entertaining." After steadily building a fan base through social media and releasing various mix tapes, Miller forced the industry to take notice when his 2011 album, Blue Slide Park, released Nov. 8, sold 145,000 copies in its first week and became the first independently released album to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart since the '90s. Earlier that year, MTV named Miller one of its "Artists to Watch." MTV2 also announced the return of Guy Code at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15. The series' third season will feature new cast members Jermaine Fowler, Dan Soder, Kevin Barnett, Pete Davidson and Tiffany Luu, as they discuss the dos and don'ts of various embarrassing and important male-centered topics including new sketch comedy segments. The cast will be joined by series regulars Andrew Schulz, Charlamagne Tha God, Chris Distefano, Jordan Carlos, Lil Duval, Lisa Ramos and more. Miller's yet-untitled series is expected to debut between late February and early March.

Email: Sophie.Schillaci@THR.com; Twitter: @SophieSchillaci