Eli Manning is no stranger to high stakes. Throughout his nearly two-decade career as the New York Giants’ starting quarterback, he famously led his teams to two Super Bowl victories as the underdog. He commanded the attention of one of the country’s most passionate fan bases and has since become a familiar face on television as a sports analyst, often alongside his brother, Peyton. Manning is accustomed to pressure, bright lights, and widespread recognition.
However, the glitz and glamour of Hollywood? That’s an entirely new ballgame for him.
“I’m out of my element right here,” Manning admitted in a recent interview. “I’ve never been part of a show that has come with a premiere.”
He made this remark just days before the red-carpet premiere of “Chad Powers,” a new sports comedy series he executive produced, set to debut on Hulu this Tuesday. The grand event was held last Thursday at the iconic Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California, where organizers ingeniously transformed the end zone bleachers into an impressive outdoor movie theater.
The show features Glen Powell (known for “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Twisters”) as Russ Holliday, a once-celebrated college quarterback whose career took a nosedive after a disastrous big game. Following an eight-year absence, Holliday attempts a comeback by enrolling at a small, struggling rural school. His plan? To pose as a quirky college student named Chad Powers, complete with a disguise of a wig and prosthetics. Powell co-created the series with Michael Waldron, a friend and fellow college football enthusiast who has also worked on “Loki” and “Heels.”
The genesis of this comedic venture traces back to a viral sketch Manning himself starred in three years ago for “Eli’s Places,” an ESPN+ show where he explores various college football towns and their unique traditions. Manning, then 41 and retired from the NFL since 2020, spent two hours in a makeup chair transforming into Chad Powers to “try out” for Penn State University’s football team. He surprised unsuspecting college players with his impressive throwing arm before James Franklin, Penn State’s head coach, eventually revealed Manning’s true identity, much to the amusement of the players and assistant coaches.
“I thought it’d be pretty funny, and I didn’t know the reaction that we would get,” Manning recalled.
The sketch exploded on social media, garnering over 17 million views on ESPN’s YouTube channel alone. Manning even discussed the popular bit with Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show,” and the character inspired countless Halloween costumes, with many dressing their infant children as Powers. Capitalizing on this immense momentum, Omaha Productions, Peyton Manning’s media company, began pitching a series concept to Hollywood studios. This marked a significant expansion for Omaha Productions, which had primarily focused on unscripted television, including their Netflix docuseries “Quarterback” and the “ManningCast” alternative broadcasts during NFL games.
“You want the first one to feel fully in line with your brand values, and this one was pitch perfect for us,” stated Jamie Horowitz, president and co-founder of Omaha Productions, on their foray into scripted programming. “It’s self-aware comedy with a real dose of heart.”
Co-creator Michael Waldron expressed his excitement about expanding Manning’s original joke, introducing heightened tension and stakes as the character strives to maintain his secret identity for months.
“Nobody would really expect a show based on this sketch to be the best show on TV,” Waldron mused. “That’s what kind of lights me up.”
Both Eli and Peyton Manning were deeply involved throughout the creative process. The brothers personally engaged with at least three universities, including the University of Mississippi, to secure the necessary rights for using their uniforms, stadiums, and other athletic trademarks. Notably, one scene for “Chad Powers” was even filmed during halftime of an actual University of Georgia game in Athens, Georgia.
Powell highlighted the importance of authentically portraying college football, especially given the show’s central comedic charade.
“When you have such a ridiculous conceit around your show, which is your entry point, you have to make everything else authentic,” Powell explained. He further added, “That became the interesting exercise — to take something kind of ridiculous and ground it in the most real way possible.”
The Mannings meticulously reviewed footage of Powell, who underwent extensive football training for the role. Eli Manning specifically concentrated on perfecting Powell’s quarterback cadence and stance.
“It’s a very specialized skill set to be a quarterback, especially someone at this level,” Powell noted, acknowledging the high demands of accurately portraying the role.
While football minutia remains Manning’s forte, he continues to navigate the intricacies of show business. Regardless of the buzz and glamour surrounding “Chad Powers,” Manning’s primary ambition for the series is refreshingly straightforward: he simply wants people to enjoy a good laugh.
“I think when you think sports, it’s got to be serious; it’s got to be big pep talks and all business,” Manning said. “With this, it brings in more of a lighter side.”