Sugar (2018 TV series)

Not to be confused with Sugar (2024 TV series).

Sugar is an American reality streaming television series that premiered on August 15, 2018, on YouTube Premium. It is based on the 2005 comedy film Wedding Crashers and the music video for American band Maroon 5's 2015 single "Sugar". The series features a different popular music artist or group surprising fans who have given back to their community, which include pop-up performances and appearances. The show was created by Adam Levine and is executive produced by Levine and David Dobkin.

Sugar
Title screen from the first episode
Genre	Reality
Created by	Adam Levine
Based on	"Sugar" by Maroon 5 and Wedding Crashers by Steve Faber Bob Fisher
Starring	Adam Levine Snoop Dogg Charlie Puth A$AP Ferg Blake Shelton Fifth Harmony Bad Bunny Kelly Clarkson
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	8
Production
Executive producers	Jay Renfroe David Garfinkle David Dobkin Megan Wolpert Dobkin Adam Levine Josh Gummersall Jordan Feldstein[a] Todd Yasui
Producers	Chris Maguire Adam Harrison
Cinematography	Edgar Martin
Running time	9–18 minutes
Production companies	222 Productions Big Kid Pictures Renegade 83 Entertainment One
Original release
Network	YouTube Premium
Release	August 15, 2018 (2018-08-15)

Premise

The inaugural season of Sugar featured eight episodes, which aired weekly on YouTube Premium.^[1] The series features a different popular music artist or group each week surprising fans who have given back to their community.^[2][3]

Adam Levine made a public statement upon the announcement of the series.^[2]

I'm really excited to show everyone this interesting show and experiment filled with many different experiences, as well as and emotions; based on the concept behind our video for ‘Sugar.’ I'm extremely grateful and equally excited for all who participated on both sides of the camera.

Production

Development

In October 2015, the series was first announced by NBC, the series it was inspired by the Maroon 5 music video "Sugar".^[4] On July 13, 2018, it was announced that YouTube has picked-up the series and had given the production a series order for a first season comprising eight episodes and that the show would premiere on August 15, 2018. Executive producers are include Adam Levine, David Dobkin, Jay Renfroe, David Garfinkle, Megan Wolpert Dobkin, Josh Gummersall, and Todd Yasui. Dobkin directed the first two episodes and Alex Van Wagner directed the series' remaining episodes. Production companies involved with the series are expected to include 222 Productions and Renegade 83.^[5][6][7] On August 3, 2018, the official trailer for the series was released.^[8]

Jordan Feldstein was originally announced and involvement as executive producer in the series. Feldstein who died in 2017,^[9] with the series' first episode was dedicated to his memory.

Casting

The series' celebrity guests included Maroon 5, Blake Shelton, Snoop Dogg, Charlie Puth, Kelly Clarkson, A$AP Ferg, Fifth Harmony, and Bad Bunny.^[5][6][7]

Episodes

No.	Title	Featured guest(s)	Directed by	Original release date
1	"Maroon 5 surprise a teen for the party of the year."	Maroon 5	David Dobkin	August 15, 2018 (2018-08-15)
2	"A$AP Ferg drops in on a deserving NYC public school teacher."	A$AP Ferg	David Dobkin	August 15, 2018 (2018-08-15)
3	"Fifth Harmony surprises a remarkable fan and her wheelchair dance group."	Fifth Harmony	Alex van Wagner	August 15, 2018 (2018-08-15)
4	"Bad Bunny pays it back to a deaf fan who loves to dance"	Bad Bunny	Alex van Wagner	August 15, 2018 (2018-08-15)
5	"Charlie Puth gives a pop up performance for fan on her 17th birthday"	Charlie Puth	Alex van Wagner	August 15, 2018 (2018-08-15)
6	"Snoop Dogg surprises a young father who is working to turn his life around."	Snoop Dogg	Alex van Wagner	August 15, 2018 (2018-08-15)
7	"Kelly Clarkson crashes a fan’s wedding for the first dance"	Kelly Clarkson	Alex van Wagner	August 15, 2018 (2018-08-15)
8	"Blake Shelton surprises a fan inspired by his music while in foster care"	Blake Shelton	Alex van Wagner	August 15, 2018 (2018-08-15)

Notes

1. Jordan Feldstein let the production use his name and was credited as an executive producer but was not involved in the series. Feldstein was posthumously credited in the series' episodes.