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EXCLUSIVE: Bill Engvall is back at Turner. The actor-comedian, who headlined his won sitcom on TBS, is set to star in and executive produce an hourlong project in development at sibling TNT. John Tinker is set to write, executive produce and showrun the project, which centers on a fish-out-of-water detective from Texas (Engvall) who transfers to the NYPD. JP Williams of Parallel Entertainment will produce. This marks Tinker’s return to TNT where he recently served as executive producer/showruner on medical drama Hawthorne. Engvall is one of the country’s most popular comedians as a solo act and part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour with Larry the Cable Guy and Jeff Foxworthy. Engvall and Tinker are with Paradigm.
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I guess these network suits figured they could rip off “McCloud” and get away with it, since nobody watches TNT anyway.
There’s not really anything to “Get away with”… Seeing as the “Fish out of water” concept is just about the oldest plot device around, particularly in the Law Enforcement Genre. As for if the show is going to be enjoyable, that’s another question. I saw Bill on “HawthoRNe”, and have to say I thought he did a nice job (Playing a detective)… And with Tinker as a solid show-runner, I’d at least give the show a look before writing it off.
Say what? Hawthorne was a terrible show, even by TNT standards. Absolutely unwatchable. So why take that showrunner, pair him with a total ripoff of an idea from in iconic 70s show, and think you’ll get anyone to watch? Is that what development has sunk to over at TNT?
This combo worked pretty well on Hawthorne where Engvall showed more range than some might give him credit for. I think this has a shot at some longevity.
Say what? Hawthorne was an absurdly awful show, even by TNT standards. Unwatchable. They kept it alive only to suck up to Jada Pinkett Smith + husband, but even that wasn’t enough in the end. So why would they now take the showrunner of that abomination, pair him with an atonishingly blatant ripoff of a 70′s show, and think they’ll get even a single rating point? Yikes. What are they pumping into the air vents over at TNT?
This is coming from someone named “PitifulPeacock” who probably works at NBC? People in glass houses…
This sounds great!
Sample dialogue—
Bill: “What does a cowboy have to do to get a chicken fried steak?”
Indifferent Waiter: “He has to move back to Texas!”
And—scene!
This is a winner.
Anyone else this sounds like TNT’s short-lived Memphis Beat starring Jason Lee?
THINK this sounds like. Sorry.
This could catch on. He has a lot of talent. If there are actually stories and just the concept, it will survive and could get good ratings.