TBS Lands "Are We There Yet" Series

TBS has signed a deal with Joe Roth and Ice Cube to turn the 2005 hit movie Are We There Yet into a family comedy series, distributed  by Debmar Mercury under the same model that launched Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Meet the Browns.

“We are confident that ARE WE THERE YET? will fit extremely well within TBS’s popular and diverse comedy lineup,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM).  “It’s great to be working with Debmar-Mercury again after enjoying such enormous success with Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Meet the Browns.  We also look forward to forging a new relationship with Revolution Studios and Cube Vision.”

The new family comedy will star Terry Crews (Everybody Hates Chris) in the role of Nick, which was played by Ice Cube in the two movies.  Ice Cube is also said to have a recurring role in the series, though what part he will play has not been mentioned.

Ice Cube said, “People of all ages loved the movies, so I am very excited to work on the series.  Terry Crews is the perfect person to replace me as Nick.  His physical comedy is undeniable.  And Joe Roth is a master at putting the right team together.  We are dedicated to creating the new template for family comedy."

Are We There Yet the series will be headed by award-winning show-runner Ali LeRoi, who has won an Emmy for his work on The Chris Rock Show and an NAACP Image Award for Everybody Hates Chris.  TBS has ordered 10 episodes of the new sitcom, which is slated to premiere in June 2010, with the option for an additional 90 episodes.  If you think that such a high option sounds strange you're correct, though this illustrates the unique model that Debmar-Mercury uses with the series they distribute.  Typically their television series provide the talent involved (and the network) with a higher-than-normal level of ownership in exchange for them working for reduced fees.  Since Debmar-Mercury puts up most of the initial investment, they get a syndicatable series in half of the timeframe that is typical for new shows.

So far this year, Debmar-Mercury's other two series, House of Payne and Meet the Browns have ranked as the top television programs in delivery of African-American viewers.  Whether Are We There Yet can match the other Debmar-Mercury series success will remain to be seen, but TBS is no doubt hoping for a three-peat.

Source: TBS