Laurence Fishburne and his production company Cinema Gypsy Productions have signed on to produce a half-hour ensemble comedy based on teacher-turned comedian Eddie B. The show is in development via ABC Studios, where Cinema Gypsy is under an overall deal, according to Deadline.
The show will be written by Richard Manus (Merry Happy Whatever, Grown-Ish) and will be inspired by Eddie B’s standup.
“It follows an outspoken, stubborn middle school football coach (Eddie B) who, due to budget cuts, finds himself forced to teach 8th-grade science if he wants to keep his job,” Deadline reports.
Eddie B (full name being Eddie Brown) is set to star in the show as himself.
Starting his career off as a school teacher in Houston, Eddie B has evolved into a stand-up comic. He gained a large Facebook following after posting clips about “what teachers really say.” After being brutally honest and establishing himself as the voice of teachers, the viral sensation launched a career in comedy.
Fishburne and producing partner Helen Sugland are set to executive produce the single-camera comedy through Cinema Gypsy Productions, along with Manus. Melissa Gelineau of, Head of Development for Cinema Gypsy’s Productions will oversee the project for the company.
Manus was Detroit bred in a blue-collar family and worked different gigs such as work in social justice and non-profits before ultimately becoming a writer. Manus was able to relate to Eddie B’s material as it resonated with experiences shared by his wife, who is also a teacher, as well as her coworkers.
Fishburne is represented by Paradigm, Landmark Artists, and Del Shaw Moonves, while elsewhere, Eddie B is repped by Paradigm, and Manus is represented by Bob Myman.
