Deadline is reporting that ABC has given a straight-to-series order to an untitled multi-cam comedy executive produced by Emmy winner (and vociferous sexual harassment defender) Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) and Black-ish creator Kenya Barris. The series is being developed as a star vehicle for Baldwin, who currently has a deal with ABC that stems from his involvement with Match Game.
From Barris and Julie Bean (Grown-ish), the comedy follows a stubborn, opinionated former TV star who moves in with his progressive daughter, her girlfriend and the child they are raising together. It’s the third straight-to-series order ABC has already given for next season, joining police procedural The Rookie and buddy PI drama Take Two, the latter of which also centers on someone in show business.
ABC wound up cancelling both Last Man Standing and Dr. Ken, leaving the network without a multi-cam on its fall schedule. The network did, however, greenlight a Roseanne revival that reportedly impressed executives enough for an additional episode to be commissioned before the show premiered. The Alec Baldwin comedy would likely either serve as a companion for Roseanne, should the show be renewed for a second season, or fill in for the series since it will only be producing shorter seasons to accommodate its cast.
Along with The Rookie and Take Two, the Alec Baldwin comedy joins The Goldbergs and Modern Family on the 2018-19 schedule. ABC currently has the most scripted shows slotted for 18-19 at five, with CBS and NBC trailing with three apiece.
