The quirky uncle trope comes back to broadcast TV for the 2015-2016 season as ABC reboots Uncle Buck, the 1989 John Hughes-directed film (and unsuccessful 1990 TV spinoff). Stand-up comedian Mike Epps (The Hangover, Next Friday) plays main character Uncle Buck in the multicamera comedy as a “fun-loving but irresponsible guy who needs a job and a place to stay.”
It’s a diverse ensemble for the family comedy in which Uncle Buck help out his brother and sister-in-law with their three kids after their nanny quits. Buck and the family help each other out, but it’s definitely not all smooth sailing for the relative’s “unconventional personality.” Little else was revealed about the series, but we do expect that laughs will ensue as Buck learns how to settle into a suburban lifestyle.
Alongside Epps, Nia Long (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), James Lesure (Las Vegas), Iman Benson, Sayeed Shahidi, and Aalyrah Caldwell star in the series. Steven Cragg and Brian Bradley (Happy Endings) will executive produce alongside Will Packer of Will Packer Productions, Korin Huggins, and Phil Traill.
The original film on which this upcoming TV series is based starred the late John Candy (Spaceballs, Planes, Trains & Automobiles) and Macaulay Culkin, and was a No. 1 box-office seller. The series is one of many upcoming TV remakes, including CBS’ Rush Hour and Limitless, as well as Fox’s Minority Report. It is an interesting pick for ABC, though, as the initial TV adaptation starring Kevin Meaney in 1990 lasted less than a season.
Deadline reports that the show — which ABC Studios co-produced with Universal TV — expects to make its broadcast debut midseason. It’s ABC’s fourth comedy slated for the 2015-2016, joining Dr. Ken, The Real O’Neals, and a brand new version of The Muppet Show. ABC will also bring back 22 series for the upcoming season.
