Tracy Morgan to Develop and Star in Comedy Pilot for FX

Actor and comedian Tracy Morgan has closed a deal to develop and star in a comedy pilot for FX Networks to be written by Jordan Peele and John Carcieri, it was announced today by Nick Grad and Eric Schrier, Presidents of Original Programming for FX Networks and FX Productions.

A career criminal is released from prison after 15 long years, hoping to reintegrate into a society that long ago left him behind. Now a man whose only expertise is making grilled cheese with an iron must navigate a modern world of political correctness, internet, and self-driving cars.

Morgan (30 Rock, Cop Out), Peele (Key and Peele, MADtv, Wanderlusts), Carcieri (Eastbound & Down, Vice Principals) will serve as Executive Producers of the untitled pilot along with Eric Tannenbaum (Two and a Half Men, The Odd Couple) and Joel Zadak (Key and Peele, Dark Minions). The half-hour pilot episode will be produced by FX Productions and is tentatively set to begin production this summer.

"What an unbeatable combination - Tracy Morgan and Jordan Peele - two exceptional comics joining forces with a great team of writers and producers to create and produce this pilot for FX Networks," said Grad. "We've been committed to Tracy from the start and are thrilled that Jordan, John, Eric and Joel are joining him in developing this new project."

Tracy Morgan is one of the most respected comedians in his field. Starring for seven seasons on NBC's Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning 30 Rock, Morgan appeared opposite Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin as "Tracy Jordan," the unpredictable star of Lemon's (Fey) hit variety show, "TGS with Tracy Jordan." Currently, he is headlining a nationwide stand-up tour titled Picking Up the Pieces, which will run through May 2016 and recently wrapped production on Fist Fight which he stars in alongside Ice Cube and Charlie Day. Morgan will also star in the Weinstein Co.'s Richard Pryor biopic Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said? as Redd Foxx opposite Mike Epps. Additionally, Morgan has been selected to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the 2016 class. Morgan currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and their daughter.

ABOUT FX NETWORKS FX Networks, a business unit of 21st Century Fox, is comprised of the networks FX, FXX and FXM and the video on-demand app FXNOW. FX, the flagship general entertainment basic cable channel, launched in June of 1994 and is carried in 93 million homes. The diverse schedule features a growing roster of critically-acclaimed and award-winning hit dramas series, including The Americans, The Strain, TYRANT and the upcoming Taboo; the critically-acclaimed limited series American Horror Story, FARGO and the upcoming The People v. O.J. Simpson: AMERICAN CRIME Story; acclaimed hit comedy series including the award-winning Louie, Archer, Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll and the upcoming Baskets, Better Things and Atlanta. FX's roster of acquired hit series includes Two and a Half Men, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and Mike & Molly. FXX, the newest network, launched in September 2013 and is carried in more than 79 million homes. Geared towards a young adult audience, the schedule features original series, movies, and acquired series. The channel is anchored by the acclaimed hit comedies It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, You're the Worst, MAN SEEKING WOMAN and the upcoming The Untitled Tracy Morgan Project (TBD). FXX is also the exclusive cable home to The Simpsons, the longest-running comedy in TV history, the late night animated block Animation Domination, and acquired hit series such as In Living Color, Mad About You and Parks and Recreation. FXM (formerly FOX Movie Channel) was launched in October of 1994 and is now carried in more than 54 million homes. Its schedule features classic films during the day (FXM Retro), and contemporary box office hits and acclaimed, award-winning films in the evening, as well as short-form award-winning original programming.

Photo credit: Walter McBride

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