CBS is turning to the world of comics for a new comedy series. jump startthe long-running strip of Rob Armstrong about a black family living in Philadelphia, is being adapted to series on the network as a multi-camera comedy starring Wayne Conley (The best man) in writing, by deadline. Aaron KaplanKapital Entertainment is producing the sitcom in conjunction with CBS Studios.
Since 1989, jump start chronicled Joe and Marcy Cobb’s life with their four children as they make their way in Philadelphia. Joe spends his days as a cop alongside his grumpy, grizzled partner Crunchy while Mary works as a nurse. Together, they do their best to be cool, hip parents to their kids while passing on old-school values, often with comedic results. The general premise revolves around the young couple balancing their budding careers while caring for their children, though one thing is always clear – no sacrifice is too great to ensure the children live a good life.
Conley is also set to executive produce the series alongside Kaplin and Melanie Frankel from the producer of Kapital and Armstrong Bridget McMeel through its Andrews McMeel Entertainment banner. McMeel is attached as a producer on a number of comic book-based projects, including the recent Netflix Marmaduke movie, Hulu’s Fat Nate series, and the next Garfield featuring Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson. Armstrong will serve as co-executive producer while Jessie Abbott acts as creative director for Kapital.
jump start has long been a target to bring to television screens. Armstrong, along with McMeel, was originally supposed to bring the comic to life as a single-camera comedy on FOX with Kapital in 2014, though for one reason or another it never came to fruition. He reportedly saw Kaplan and Armstrong co-write alongside Andre Orenstein. With this, Kapital continues its trend of revisiting old shows that originally didn’t work. Another such show that got a second look, American carwas recently renewed for a second season on NBC.
Conley, now set to take the writing reins, has a solid lineup of production credits ranging from Peacock’s The best man to the acclaimed drama Green leaf, which he also has writing credit for an episode of. He also has a good background writing for comedy, having previously worked on the classic sitcom Kenan and Kel and All that. He also knows how to count sugar queen, The King’s Ransom, Austin and allyand cousins for life among his other writing gigs.
We will have more information on jump start as it comes out. It won’t be the only Kapital sitcom on CBS because The neighborhoodwhich is entering its fifth season, is under the same banner.