Paramount+ is extending the universe of “The Neighborhood” with a new series titled “Crutch,” featuring Tracy Morgan in the lead role. The half-hour, multi-camera comedy is a collaboration between Paramount+, Cedric The Entertainer’s A Bird and a Bear Entertainment, Kapital Entertainment, TrillTV, and CBS Studios.
Created by Owen Smith, the half-hour, multi-camera comedy “Crutch” is set in the same beloved universe as “The Neighborhood,” showcasing a fresh perspective on life in Harlem. The show centers around Francois “Frank” Crutchfield (played by Tracy Morgan), affectionately known as “Crutch,” a widowed father whose plans for an empty nest are derailed when his millennial son and free-spirited daughter return home.
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Tracy Morgan and Cedric The Entertainer, who previously starred together on Morgan’s TBS comedy series “The Last O.G.,” are reuniting in this new venture. Cedric shares, “I’m excited to be expanding our ‘The Neighborhood’ universe by producing a show with the legendary comedian Tracy Morgan. This new character is the close cousin to my character Calvin Butler, and you will enjoy some of their many similarities.”
Morgan adds, “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.”
The decision to greenlight “Crutch” reflects Paramount+’s strategy to leverage successful franchises. Jeff Grossman, EVP of Programming at Paramount Streaming, highlighted the strong viewer base of “The Neighborhood” and the anticipation for what Tracy Morgan, Cedric The Entertainer, and creator Owen Smith will bring to this new series.
As Jeff Grossman, EVP of Programming at Paramount Streaming, expresses, “Our subscribers love CBS’ ‘The Neighborhood,’ so it’s a natural fit to bring ‘Crutch’ to Paramount+. 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.”
Production for ‘Crutch’ is set to kick off later this year.