Posted by | Cyrena Rose
Byron Allen, CEO of Entertainment Studios, has ordered 104 episodes of the new scripted comedyThe First Family, about an African-American family living in the White House; not to be confused with the Obamas.
According to Hollywoodreporter, the cast are: Christopher P. Duncan (The Jamie Foxx show) as President William Johnson, singer Gladys Knight is cast as his mother, veteran actor-comedian John Witherspoon as the President’s father, Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons) as the First Lady’s mother, Hispanic comedian Paul Rodriguez as Dictator Rafael, Jackee Harry (Sister, Sister) as the First Lady’s sister and Kellita Smith (The Bernie Mac Show) as First Lady Katherine Johnson along with other actors.
“There’s a huge shortfall of quality family sitcoms, and we are 110 percent committed to filling that enormous void,” said Allen, who is still a comedian himself. “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.”
The series pilot was just completed. The First Family is set to debut this fall on broadcast syndication, cable and digital media.