Set in NYC, Kal Penn’s new NBC comedy series will be called ‘Sunnyside’

Set in New York City, actor and comedian Kal Penn’s new immigration-themed comedy series on NBC will be titled “Sunnyside.”

The comedy pilot was recently greenlighted by NBC.

In an exclusive report, Deadline writes that the show, starring and executive produced by Penn, writer-producer Matt Murray, “The Good Place” creator/executive producer Michael Schur and Universal TV, has cast the seven co-leads opposite Penn, one of whom is actress Kiran Deol, who was born in Britain but raised in Boca Raton, Florida.

“I finally get to have a brother and it’s @kalpenn,” Deol wrote on Twitter, sharing Penn’s tweet.

 “Can’t wait to start shooting with our hilarious, talented cast! Welcome to Sunnyside!” Penn wrote on Twitter alongside a link to a Deadline story.

“Sunnyside,” according to the report, will center on former New York City Council Member Garrett Shah, a fictitious politician played by Penn who finds his calling when he encounters six recent immigrants “in need of his help and in search of the American Dream.”

Five of the seven actors lined up for the pilot are immigrants themselves.

The Deadline report included an image of Penn seen at the Sunnyside mural at the corner of 40th Street and 47th Avenue in Queens, NY.

White House award for SBA technologist G Nagesh Rao

G Nagesh Rao, director of Business Solutions at the US Small Business Administration (SBA), has been named a recipient of the Gears of Government Awards.

The award, given out by the White House Office of Management and Budget and General Services Administration, recognizes individuals and teams across the federal workforce whose dedication supports exceptional delivery of key outcomes for the American people, specifically around mission results, customer service, and accountable stewardship.

Rao received the award in two categories, including the Council Award for SBA’s IT Modernization Efforts; and the Agency Award for his prior leadership and work on the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition and SBIR/STTR Programs, in particular around the SBIR.gov digital platform, according to a media release.

Rao, who is a 2016 Eisenhower Fellow, was stated to have used advancements in science, technology, innovation and economic empowerment to help businesses work better, faster and cheaper.

It said he “revolutionized the SBA’s approach to supporting entrepreneurs in innovation, startup and technology fields,” the media release said.

The “proud geek” and his cutting-edge approaches have helped small businesses more easily access $2.5 billion each year in research and development funding, it said.