The neighborhood The universe expands with a second series, crutch. Paramount+ has picked up the half-hour multi-camera comedy headlined by Tracy Morgan. The story takes place in the world of the popular CBS sitcom starring Cedric the Entertainer, which has been renewed for a seventh season.
crutch is by Owen Smith, who wrote the pilot script, and The neighborhood‘s production companies, Cedric’s A Bird and a Bear Entertainment, Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment, Wendi Trilling TrillTV and CBS Studios.
It centers on the title character, Francois “Frank” Crutchfield (Morgan) – or “Crutch” to those who know him well – a Harlem widower whose empty plans are put on hold after his millennial son and free-spirited daughter move back home are .
Morgan and Cedric starred together on Morgan’s TBS comedy series The last OGwith Cedric as a regular in Season 1 before moving to recurring series The neighborhood was added to the series.
The idea for a spin-off of the CBS sitcom centered around Morgan has been brewing for several years. During season 5 of The neighborhoodThe SNL The former guest played the role of Calvin’s (Cedric) rich younger brother Curtis in the episode “Welcome to Bro Money, Bro Problems,” written by then-showrunner Meg DeLoatch. Although not a formal backdoor pilot, the episode was intended as a proof of concept for a possible spin-off.
CBS
This project did not progress. The new idea, which earned a series order from Paramount+, comes from a new writer, Smith, who is reteaming with Morgan and Cedric after serving as showrunner and executive producer The last OG. In it, Morgan stars as another character: Crutch, Calvin’s cousin.
“I’m looking forward to expanding our The neighborhood Universe by producing a show with legendary comedian Tracy Morgan,” Cedric told The Entertainer. “This new character is the close cousin of my character Calvin Butler, and you will enjoy some of their many similarities. Morgan plays Crutch, a widowed father who tells everything like it is and who faces a challenge when his two adult children and a few grandchildren have to move home, and let’s just say there will be several comedic complications. “
Cedric and Eric C. Rhone are executive producers crutch on A Bird and a Bear with Smith, chaplain for Kapital Entertainment; Trilling for TrillTV; and Morgan. Filming on the CBS Studios series is scheduled to begin later this year.
“crutch “I will deal with the ups and downs of having his kids and grandkids under one roof again, and when I do, there will be plenty of laughs along the way,” Morgan said. “I’m so happy to be able to do this with my brother Cedric The Entertainer, Owen Smith and the rest of the amazing crew we’ve put together. Get ready for your new favorite show!”
This is the second current hit CBS series to receive a spinoff on Paramount+ NCIS, whose Tony and Ziva spinoff recently received the green light from the streamer. With crutchParamount+ is expanding its portfolio of multi-cam originals with another franchise expansion, the new one Frasier Series with Kelsey Grammer.
“Our subscribers love CBS.” The neighborhoodso it’s a natural fit to bring them along Crutch to Paramount+,” said Jeff Grossman, EVP of Programming, Paramount Streaming. “We can’t wait to see the immense talent behind it crutch – Tracy Morgan, Cedric The Entertainer and Owen Smith – bring this new series.”
crutch, distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution, marks the return of capital to Paramount+; The company produced a number of thriller anthologies Tell me a story for its predecessor CBS All Access. Kapital is also showing the upcoming drama series on CBS Watson.