Jermaine Fowler joins previously cast Tracy Morgan as co-lead in Paramount+’s new multi-camera series ‘Crutch.’
‘Crutch’ is a spinoff from CBS’s popular sitcom “The Neighborhood,” extending the show’s universe with a fresh storyline set in Harlem. The new series is produced in collaboration with Cedric The Entertainer’s A Bird and a Bear Entertainment, Kapital Entertainment, TrillTV, and CBS Studios.
Created by Owen Smith, who will also serve as showrunner, “Crutch” follows Francois “Frank” Crutchfield, portrayed by Morgan. Known affectionately as “Crutch,” Frank is a brash but beloved widowed father and Harlem shop owner whose life takes an unexpected turn when his adult children move back home. The series explores the comedic dynamics of a modern family navigating life under one roof.
Jermaine Fowler, returning to CBS Studios where he first starred in “Superior Donuts,” will play Frank’s son, Jake Crutchfield. Jake is an Ivy League-educated lawyer who turns down a lucrative job at a prestigious law firm to offer low-cost legal services in his Harlem community.
Tracy Morgan and Cedric The Entertainer, who previously collaborated on Morgan’s TBS series “The Last O.G.,” reunite for this new venture. Cedric, who stars as Calvin Butler in “The Neighborhood,” expressed his excitement about expanding the show’s universe. “I’m thrilled to produce a show with Tracy Morgan, a legendary comedian,” Cedric said. “Crutch and Calvin are close cousins, and audiences will enjoy the similarities between their characters.”
Morgan echoed the enthusiasm, saying, “Crutch will navigate the ups and downs of having his kids and grandkids back home. And you know if I’m involved, there will be plenty of laughs along the way.”
The decision to launch “Crutch” reflects Paramount+’s strategy of building on successful franchises. Jeff Grossman, EVP of Programming at Paramount Streaming, noted the strong viewership of “The Neighborhood” and expressed confidence in the new show’s appeal. “Our subscribers love CBS’s ‘The Neighborhood,’ so it’s a natural fit to bring ‘Crutch’ to Paramount+,” Grossman said. “We can’t wait to see what Tracy Morgan, Cedric The Entertainer, and Owen Smith will bring to this series.”
Production for “Crutch” is scheduled to begin later this year, promising a fresh comedic take on family life in Harlem that fans of “The Neighborhood” are sure to enjoy.