“I had a talk show [on Playboy TV] and it was a great concept, but this is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Steele told XBIZ. “It’s something I wanted to produce because you can’t wait on, necessarily, for other people to do it for you. So I wanted to make it my own and make the opportunity for myself.”
According to Steele, the premise for the variety show is based on Playboy founder Hugh Hefner’s variety shows of the late 50s and early 60s, “Playboy Penthouse” and “Playboy After Dark.” Capitalizing on the image of a hip, swinging lifestyle, the shows featured many entertainment figures of the day, as well as Playboy Playmates.
Steele’s talk show would use party-type atmosphere set against the backdrop of a Southern California mansion, with mainstream personalities as well as adult stars. Some of the mainstreamers that have committed to appear include Shawne Merriman of the San Diego Chargers, Sam Cassell of the Los Angeles Clippers, comedians Tracy Morgan and Alex Thomas, and hip-hop icon DJ Premier.
“These are the type of people we would love to include, once we go live with the programming. And obviously we will include people from the adult industry that will be featured in interviews,” Steele said. “Say I extend an invitation to the Female Performer of the Year Hillary Scott; she’ll appear but we would like to talk to her and maybe not even talk about sex. What is her take on — who knows? Maybe she has a family member in Iraq or something along those lines. I would like to include an adult icon in each episode.
“In the background you may have four or five of your favorite adult video performers, who are just hanging out as eye candy, enjoying the interviews live and in-person. Maybe Mr. Marcus is shooting pool in the background of the current interview and in the next interview, it’s with him at the pool table.”
The reality show concept provides viewers with a behind-the-scenes look into the life of Steele and his gonzo production company Mercenary Productions, as well as footage of the making of the variety show.
“So, the selling point on the reality show is not only are you getting insight into your favorite male performer, you’re getting insight into a very strong gonzo company. You’re also brought directly onto the set and the production of our movies, and then you have the production of the talk show, so that gives a huge, huge ball of wax,” Steele said. “The reality show feeds into the production of the talk show and it really gives you a broad, fun and captivating look into what we do here.”
Steele also will make a cameo appearance as himself in two upcoming episodes of the Showtime drama series “Weeds.”
“It came out of nowhere. I received a call from a casting agent one weekday morning, and I was like, ‘Yes, I can. I would love to come down,’” Steele said. “They’ll air in September. It was nothing big — in each instance I had a line or two. I appeared with Jesse James, not to be confused with the blonde from Digital, but the brunette that used to be with Hustler. She and I had dialogue with the main actors. I’m not anticipating that it was anything enough to spawn an acting career, but I appreciate the moment that I will get.”
Steele pointed out that he has not yet set up meetings with any networks to discuss the project and so it is premature to speculate on the potential interest in his shows. But, citing adult celebrities like Ron Jeremy and Jenna Jameson as inspiration for crossing over to mainstream, Steele strongly believes there is an audience interested in seeing adult stars in a nonsexual setting.