Byron Allen, comedian, is embarking on a sitcom through his production company, Entertainment Studios, about a black first family that has been picked up by NBC for 104 episodes. Garnering a whopping 104 episodes for an initial run is exceptional for any sitcom, black or mainstream.
“Entertainment Studios, Inc., the largest independent producer and distributor of first-run syndicated television programming for broadcast television stations, and owner of seven 24-hour HD television networks, announced that is has ordered 104 episodes of the new show,” according to Times Leader. The sitcom aptly named “The First Family” will star Christopher B. Duncan (Braxton on “The Jamie Foxx Show”) and Kellita Smith (Bernie Mac’s wife on “The Bernie Mac Show”) as president and first lady. Singing icon Gladys Knight will play the president’s mother. Actresses’ Jackee Harry and Marla Gibbs will portray the first lady’s sister and mother respectively while comedian John Witherspoon will have a regular role on the series.
“There’s a huge shortfall of quality family sitcoms, and we are 110 percent committed to filling that enormous void…our number one priority is to deliver the highest quality content in the sitcom genre, and this initial 104-episode order is a big step in the right direction,” Byron said.
While production just wrapped on the pilot episode, the show is slated for a Fall 2012 launch.
We’re all kinds of excited about this! Are you tuning in to catch the first family?
