TBS Orders Tracy Morgan Sitcom; CBS Orders Full Seasons for 3 Shows, Including Kevin Can Wait

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

TBS Orders Tracy Morgan Sitcom; CBS Orders Full Seasons for 3 Shows, Including Kevin Can Wait

TBS's stable of original comedies continues to grow with the straight-to-series pick-up of a new series from comedy superstar and multiple Emmy® nominee Tracy Morgan (30 Rock). The untitled series is being created and executive-produced by Jordan Peele (Key & Peele) and John Carcieri (Vice Principals). Morgan will also serve as executive producer, along with Eric and Kim Tannenbaum (Two and a Half Men) and Joel Zadak of Principato Young (Key & Peele). The series is produced by Studio T, TBS & TNT's in-house production studio. After being released on good behavior from a 15-year prison stint, Tracy is shocked to see just how much the world has changed in his absence. Returning to his newly gentrified Brooklyn neighborhood, Tracy discovers that his former girlfriend has married an affable, successful white man, who is helping raise his twin sons he never knew existed. Wanting nothing more than to connect with his kids, but having neither the money to support them nor himself, Tracy falls back on the skills he learned in prison to make ends meet while treading on unfamiliar territory. TBS has ordered 10 episodes of this single-camera comedy series, which looks to capture the rawness of Tracy's stand up persona while also commenting on race relations, the Gen X/Millennial gap and the American penal system.

This announcements mark the latest phase in TBS's programming and brand evolution, which began in January with the premiere of Angie Tribeca and continued with the debuts of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee in February, The Detour in April and Wrecked in June. All four shows are certified hits, ranking among cable's Top 10 new comedies of 2016. They will soon be joined by the other-worldly comedy People of Earth, starring Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show) and premiering on Halloween, and Search Party, a dark comedy starring Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) and premiering Nov. 21. In 2017, The Guest Book, a new comedy from Greg Garcia (The Millers), will make its debut.

Kevin Can Wait

CBS has given full season orders to three new series, including the #1 and #2 new series in total viewers, drama Bull and sitcom Kevin Can Wait, and Friday's new series, MacGyver. The three shows, along with the Network's returning hit programs, have helped CBS win the first three weeks of the season for the eighth consecutive year. In addition, all three have improved their time period, compared to a year ago. Bull stars Michael Weatherly, Freddy Rodriguez, Geneva Carr, Jaime Lee Kirschner, Annabelle Attanasio and Chris Jackson. Kevin Can Wait stars Kevin James, Erinn Hayes, Taylor Spreitler, Mary-Charles Jones, James DiGiacomo, Ryan Cartwright, Lenny Venito, Gary Valentine and Leonard Earl Howze. On Oct. 24, Kevin Can Wait moves to its new regular time period on Mondays at 8:00PM ET/PT, leading into the series premiere of Man with a Plan at 8:30PM ET/PT. MacGyver stars Lucas Till, George Eads, Sandrine Holt, Justin Hires and Tristan Mays.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Monday, December 9

The Neighborhood - "Welcome to Wicked Stepmother" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Tina discovers her father has age-related impairments, making it crucial to reunite him with his wife. Meanwhile, Daphne gets her first little baby boo-boo.

Poppa's House - "Brokeback" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Poppa’s severe back pain keeps him from seeing a doctor, until Ivy offers to stay the night to care for him. Meanwhile, Nina makes Junior think he lost his wedding ring.

What We Do in the Shadows - "The Promotion" (FX, 10:00PM ET/PT)
The vampires go to an office party to celebrate Guillermo's promotion.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 9)

Monday, December 9

Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Watch Jason on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Christian Slater (Breaking In) - Christian is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Billy Crystal (The Comedians/Soap) - Billy appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS. He also announces the Golden Globes nominations on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Michael Urie (Shrinking/Krapopolis/Partners), Jessica Williams (Shrinking/Love Life/Just for Kicks) and Luke Tennie (Shrinking) - Michael, Jessica and Luke are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS. Michael also discusses Shrinking on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Mindy Kaling (The Mindy Project/The Office) and Morris Chestnut (Out All Night) - Mindy and Morris announce the Golden Globes nominations on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.
Nicole Richie (Great News) - NBC's Today catches up with Nicole and Paris Hilton sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
Christina Milian (Grandfathered) - Christina talks about Dexter: Original Sin on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
Jurnee Smollettt (On Our Own) - Jurnee is telling Drew about her new movie, The Order based on a true story of bank robberies, white supremacists and domestic terror on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
Megan Hilty (Sean Saves the World) - Megan stops by Sherri, so check your local listings.
Renée Elise Goldsberry (Girls5eva) and Hank Azaria (The Simpsons/Brockmire/Free Agents/Herman's Head) - Renée and Hank talk about All In: Comedy About Love by Simon Rich on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
Anthony Anderson (black-ish/Guys with Kids/All About the Andersons) - Anthony discusses his upcoming Fox special The Real Full Monty on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
David Alan Grier (St. Denis Medical/Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!/The Cool Kids/The Carmichael Show/Bad Teacher/Life with Bonnie/DAG) - David discusses St. Denis Medical on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
Liza Lapira (9JKL/Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life/Super Fun Night/Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23/Traffic Light) - Liza is a guest on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:30am and on New York Live on WNBC at 11:30am.