Lee Daniels might become to Fox what Shonda Rhimes has been to ABC.
In addition to his hit primetime soap opera, “Empire,” Fox will debut a new primetime TV musical drama also from Daniels, titled “Star,” which is set for the upcoming 2016/2017 TV season. The series follows three talented singers, desperate for a new start and with ambitions of stardom, as they navigate the cut-throat music business.
Also, potential “Empire” spin-off series are being considered. Earlier this week, Ilene Chaiken, executive producer of the show said, while at the annual TCA (Television Critics Association) event for Fox, that both Cookie and Lucious Lyon, portrayed by Taraji P. Henson and Terence Howard, respectively, could carry their own series. “It certainly could be,” she said. “We’ve talked about it, and I think the show offers so many opportunities.” Although nothing was confirmed as definitely in the works; but it sounds like it’s certainly very possible, based on her language.
And announced today, Daniels and super-producer Brian Grazer have sold a half-hour scripted dramedy to Fox, which will star stand-up comedian Ms. Pat (a.k.a. Patricia Williams).
The yet-to-be-titled show will be based on Ms. Pat’s upcoming memoir which tells of her life, born to a single mother of 5, living on welfare in a tough West end neighborhood of Atlanta, had her first child at 14 and her second child at 15, became a drug dealer in her teens, was shot twice and arrested numerous times, all before she was 20 years old. At 19 with two toddlers of her own, and a new husband, she was handed 4 more young children from her sister who was struggling with drug addiction. The next 10 years of her life she spent raising those 6 kids, living on welfare, in Section 8 housing, when she discovered that she had a talent for telling funny stories, and eventually pursued a stand-up career.
With a comedy career now spanning over 9 years, Ms. Pat has appeared on TV Guide Network’s “Standup in Stilettos”, and Nickelodeons “Mom’s Night Out.” She is a regular guest on the syndicated “Bob and Tom Radio Show,” and appears on Katt Williams’ DVD “Kattpacalypse.” In January of 2015 she appeared on Comedy Central’s “This is Not Happening” and was on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” in 2015.
Alyson Fouse has been tapped to pen the script for the series, and will also executive produce with Lee Daniels, Grazer, Ms. Pat herself, Francie Calfo, Pam Williams, and Effie Brown.
Ms. Pat is repped by APA and Foundry Literary Media.