Screenshot via YouTube

Lifetime may be known for its soapy melodramas and corny true crime thrillers, but it looks like the network is now expanding into previously uncharted territory.

On Monday, the network announced that it would be premiering a “mini-movie” on December 13th starring Mario Lopez. Nothing unusually there, right? Wrong. The catch is: Mario Lopez will be playing a sexy, Latino version of Colonel Sanders. Yes, as in the founder and spokesperson of KFC.

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The Lifetime movie is called “A Recipe for Seduction” and will be presented in partnership with KFC.

Yes, this is real life. No, this not a drill.

According to the Lifetime website, the movie’s “plot” will go as follows: “As the holidays near, an heiress (played by Bosch alum Justene Alpert) contends with the affections of a suitor handpicked by her mother. When the handsome chef (Mario Lopez) arrives with his secret recipe and a dream, he sets in motion a series of events that unravel the mother’s plans.”

Sounds juicy (pun intended).

Oddly enough, this won’t be the first time that KFC has enlisted an unexpected person to play the illustrious Colonel Sanders.

The fast-food chain has a long-running gimmick of casting celebrities to play the coveted role of Colonel Sanders in advertisements and promotions. They have previously enlisted stars like Rob Lowe, Jim Gaffigan, and even Reba McEntire.

According to their respective press releases, both Lifetime and KFC seem pumped by this opportunity.

“Why not fill some of your time at home with a suspenseful drama and the comfort of our world-famous fried chicken? ‘A Recipe for Seduction’ is a perfect excuse to curl up at home and escape to your own happily ever after,” said KFC chief marketing officer Andrea Zahumensky.

Lifetime was similarly effusive. “Through a terrific cast, and with a wink to the unique sensibilities celebrated in Lifetime movies, this co-production spotlights each brand’s POV and marries them in a fun and authentic way,” (….whatever that means) said A+E Network’s EVP of Sales.

Naturally, the internet was equally intrigued and perplexed by this bizarre project.

The Twitterverse was abuzz with hot takes.

This person couldn’t tell if Lifetime was making fun of itself, or if we are making fun of Lifetime…

It’s official. We’ve moved into a post-satire era. Reality is now stranger than fiction.

This person chalked up this news to: 2020 gonna 2020.

Honestly, nothing can surprise us at this point.

This person was wondering if Lifetime had blackmail on Mario Lopez.

The most likely answer: a lot of money. Like, a yacht’s worth of money.

“A Recipe for Seduction” will air on Lifetime this Sunday, December 13th at noon EST. Get the popcorn ready! Or should we say…popcorn chicken?