After the avalanche of ABC new series orders last night, here is another one this morning. The network has picked up single-camera comedy Uncle Buck, a new take on the hit 1989 movie. I’m told the series starring Mike Epps is eyed for midseason. I hear its order came later than the other because of last-minute negotiations between ABC and Universal TV, the studio that developed the project and co-produces it with ABC Studios. (ABC Studios boarded the comedy at the pilot stage.) I hear the talks involved ABC looking to get a bigger piece of the series, a common practice between a network and an outside studio in the series pickup stage these days. This may be the last order for ABC heading into the upfronts as neither of the remaining pilots appear in real contention.
Written by Steven Cragg and Brian Bradley, the series centers on Uncle Buck (Mike Epps), a fun loving but irresponsible guy who needs a job and a place to stay. By happy coincidence, his nieces and nephew’s Nanny has just quit and his brother and sister-in-law need his help. His unconventional personality just may make him the right fit for the family and they may be the answer to his problems, too. Nia Long, James Lesure, Iman Benson, Sayeed Shahidi and Aalyrah Caldwell co-star.
Cragg and Bradley executive produce with Will Packer. Korin Huggins and Phil Traill co-executive produce.
This is the second series order for feature producer Packer. In his first TV development season, he landed two comedy pilots through his Uni TV-based Will Packer Prods, People Are Talking at NBC and Uncle Buck at ABC. Both went to series.
Source: Deadline
