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Cedric the Entertainer and TV Land in business, pilot coming

By April MacIntyre Apr 18, 2011, 21:30 GMT

02/10/2011 - Cedric the Entertainer - 7th Annual Peapod Foundation Benefit Concert Featuring The Black Eyed Peas - Arrivals - The Music Box - Hollywood, CA, USA © Emiley Schweich / PR Photos

TV Land and comedian/actor Cedric the Entertainer are in business, it was announced today by network president Larry W. Jones.

The potential series is currently set to be a spin-off of TV Land’s hit original sitcom, “Hot in Cleveland,” which stars Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and Betty White.

The spin-off revolves around a character that Cedric will originate in new episodes of “Hot” (premiering this summer) in which he will play a minister who finds himself involved in the four ladies’ latest humorous adventures.

“We’re definitely going to bring people quality entertainment and laughs with this new show,” said Cedric. “I’m very excited to be working with TV Land and the creative team of ‘Hot in Cleveland.’”

“Cedric is hilarious and I’m so happy to do this show with him,” states Suzanne Martin, creator, writer, show runner and executive producer of “Hot in Cleveland.”  “We are going to have a lot of fun developing and exploring his role as a minister.”

“Cedric is amazingly funny and has proven time and time again that he is one of the most talented performers in recent years,” said Keith Cox, executive vice president, development and original programming, TV Land.  “Coupling Cedric’s comedic timing with Suzanne’s incredible writing skills will definitely create magic for the network,” continues Cox.  Adds Jones, “This deal fits in perfectly with TV Land’s strategy of working with top talent both in front of and behind the camera.  We are so excited that Cedric is joining the TV Land family.”

The untitled series is contingent upon the pilot script, which will be co-written by Cedric and Suzanne Martin. 

Martin would also serve as executive producer of the series along with Emmy® Award-winner Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner of Hazy Mills Productions, who are also executive producers of “Hot in Cleveland.”