One of 4 TV sales that super-producer Will Packer made after launching his own production company, and inking a first-look deal with NBC/Universal – although this one is going to ABC – is the comedy pilot "Uncle Buck," which will star Mike Epps in the title role, and Nia Long as his "strong-willed and smart wife."

James Lesure, Aalyrah Caldwell, Sayeed Shahidi and Iman Benson round out the key cast.

After last night’s onslaught of announcements of new series pickups, renewals and cancellations, ABC has also now picked up "Uncle Buck" to series.

A small-screen adaptation of the 1989  John Hughes/John Candy movie of the same name, "Uncle Buck" the TV series will be penned by "MADtv" vets Steven Cragg and Brian Bradley, and is described as a family comedy about a childish man who learns how to be an adult by taking care of his brother’s kids in a very childish way. 

Will Packer will exec-produce alongside Cragg and Bradley.

ABC hasn’t dated the series yet, but I’d expect a 2015/2016 premiere – maybe as a companion piece to the network’s other family comedy with a black family at the center, "Black-ish," which was renewed for a second season, as was announced last night.