ABC passed on the comedy pilot, “Jalen vs. Everybody,” starring former NBA player Jalen Rose starring in what would’ve been his very own TV series, playing a single father struggling to juggle his career responsibilities with the challenges of raising children.
Veteran TV and film actresses Anna Maria Horsford and Marla Gibbs were also cast in the pilot, playing Rose’s mother and grandmother, respectively. And Kelly Jenrette was cast to play Denise, Jalen’s ex, and the mother of their two girls, Samantha and Natalie, who live with her mostly, though they visit their dad regularly.
“Jalen vs. Everybody” was created by Nahnatchka Khan, creator/executive producer of ABC’s family comedy “Fresh Off the Boat,” and the series’ executive producer Jake Kasdan.
And while ABC didn’t pick up the project to series, the pilot episode will air as a special on ABC’s sister network ESPN (both are owned by Disney), Tuesday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
A promo clip for is embedded below: