NBCUniversal is developing a sketch comedy series for NBC, and will make talent scouting trips to Toronto and Montreal in search of local stand-up, sketch and improv comics ripe for the project.

Mindful of successful Canadian sketch comedy series like This Hour Has 22 Minutes and The Kids in the Hall, former Comedy Central executive-turned-producer Lou Wallach will lead the talent search, which includes stops in New York and Chicago.

Wallach, who has consulted for the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, will executive produce the untitled sketch comedy series via an overall deal with Universal Television’s Alternative Studio.

NBC Universal, which has already worked with the Canadian Film Centre to discover possible series ideas, and cast for diverse actors for its film and TV projects, is looking for Canadian comedy talent to possibly build a sketch comedy franchise around.

No details are as yet available on when Wallach and Universal Television will make their Canadian whistle-stops for talent.