Paramount+ today announced a new series order for Crutch, a half-hour comedy starring Tracy Morgan. The series will be set in the world of CBS Networks’ hit comedy The Neighborhood. It centers on its titular character, Francois “Frank” Crutchfield (Morgan)—or “Crutch” to those who know him well.
Crutch is a Harlem widower whose empty nest plans are put on hold after his millennial son and free-spirited daughter move back home. CBS Studios is producing the series, which is slated to begin production later this year.
Hailing from Cedric The Entertainer and his production company, A Bird and a Bear Entertainment, the series is executive produced by Cedric and Eric C. Rhone, along with Owen Smith, who wrote the premiere script and will also serve as showrunner; Aaron Kaplan for Kapital Entertainment; Wendi Trilling for TrillTV; and Tracy Morgan.
The series also reunites Morgan with Smith, who served as showrunner and executive producer on The Last O.G.
“I’m excited to be expanding our ‘The Neighborhood’ universe by producing a show with the legendary comedian Tracy Morgan,” said Cedric The Entertainer. “This new character is the close cousin to my character, Calvin Butler, and you will enjoy some of their many similarities.
“Morgan plays Crutch, a ‘say-it-like-it-is’ widowed father who is challenged when his two adult children and a couple of grandchildren need to move back home and let’s say there will be several comedic complications.”
“Crutch will be navigating the ups and downs of having his kids and grandkids back under one roof, and you know if I am doing this, there will be plenty of laughs along the way,” said Tracy Morgan.
“I am so happy to be able to do this with my brother Cedric The Entertainer, Owen Smith, and the rest of the amazing crew we have put together. Get ready for your new favorite show!”
“Our subscribers love CBS’ The Neighborhood, so it’s a natural fit to bring Crutch to Paramount+,” said Jeff Grossman, EVP of Programming, Paramount Streaming.
“We can’t wait to see what the immense talents behind Crutch – Tracy Morgan, Cedric The Entertainer, and Owen Smith – bring to this new series.”
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills in 2018 to cover the latest news on streaming, movies, TV, and video games.