TV LAND BEGINS PRODUCTION ON “THE SOUL MAN,†STARRING CEDRIC “THE ENTERTAINER†AND NIECY NASH
Network’s Newest Original Sitcom Premieres Wednesday, June 20 At 10PM ET/PT
Santa Monica, CA – April 27, 2012 – TV Land is giving one of the original “Kings of Comedy†his own sitcom! Laugh-out-loud comedians Cedric “The Entertainer†and Niecy Nash star in the network’s newest original series, “The Soul Man†(formerly known as “Have Faithâ€), which begins production this week for a total of 12 episodes, it was announced today by Keith Cox, executive vice president, development and original programming, TV Land. “The Soul Man†premieres Wednesday, June 20 at 10pm ET/PT, immediately followed by the season two premiere of TV Land’s hit sitcom, “The Exes,†which stars Donald Faison (“Scrubsâ€), Wayne Knight (“Seinfeldâ€), David Alan Basche (“The Starter Wifeâ€), Kelly Stables (“Two and a Half Menâ€) and Kristen Johnston (“3rd Rock From The Sunâ€).
“The Soul Man†revolves around R&B superstar-turned-minister Reverend Boyce “The Voice†Ballentine (played by Cedric) who was living the high life in Las Vegas at the top of the music charts (see the video for his 80’s hit, “Sex Wichoo†here) when he gets the calling to go from soul singer to soul saver. Relocating to St. Louis with his wife, Lolli (Nash) and his daughter, Lyric (Jazz Raycole) to take over the preaching duties in his father’s church, his family is not exactly eager to give up the fabulous superstar life for a humble one. The Reverend Boyce character originally appeared in a season two episode of “Hot In Cleveland†and a spinoff was developed by Cedric and “Hot In Cleveland†creator Suzanne Martin. The comedy also stars John Beasley (“Everwoodâ€) as Boyce’s father, Barton; Wesley Jonathan (“What I Like About Youâ€) as his brother, Stamps; and Raycole (“My Wife and Kidsâ€) as his daughter.
“We are beyond thrilled to have Cedric, Niecy and the whole cast become part of the ever-growing TV Land family,†said Cox. “We know that Cedric and Niecy’s chemistry coupled with a top-notch comedic cast will definitely make this sitcom pop.â€
Cedric and Martin will serve as executive producers for “The Soul Man,†along with Eric Rhone and Emmy® Award-winner Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner of Hazy Mills Productions, who also executive produce “Hot In Cleveland.†Keith Cox and Larry W. Jones will be executive producers for TV Land. Phoef Sutton (“Cheersâ€) is the showrunner and Stan Lathan (“The Steve Harvey Showâ€) serves as the director. The series is filmed in front of a live studio audience.
Bron: Tvbythenumbers