Via the press release received today… on Monday, January 21, 2013, at 10 pm EST, TV One will premiere its latest original scripted series, Belle’s –  a new comedy centered around widower William "Big Bill" Cooper who owns and operates his family's upscale soul food restaurant.

The half-hour series is co-created by Emmy Award-winning producer Ed. Weinberger (Taxi, The Cosby Show).

In addition to running the restaurant, Bill (Keith David) must deal with his two headstrong daughters: Jill (Elise Neal), the sensible hardworking manager of Belle's who also juggles being a single mom; and Loreta (Tami Roman), a stylish, self-absorbed prima donna whose ambitions alternate between a career in the music business and finding a rich husband.

And if working with his daughters isn't challenging enough, Bill must deal with the temperamental chef at Belle's who also happens to be his – thorn-in-the-side sister-in-law, Gladys (Ella Joyce).

Rounding out the family is cousin Maurice (Miguel Núñez), the irresponsible bartender and self-proclaimed ladies’ man who is always in hot water; and Jill's savvy tween daughter Pam (Nadja Alaya), who seems to be the only one who has a handle on everyone and everything that happens in the family, and at Belle's.

Belle’s takes a page from sitcoms of an earlier era by tackling hard-hitting cultural issues through the prism of comedy and laughter.

In the premiere episode, Jill rents out the restaurant to the Crawford family to host their annual family reunion. Just as the Coopers get ready to celebrate their sudden windfall, Big Bill is tormented to discover the Crawfords' once owned his wife's family during slavery.

In addition to Weinberger, the half-hour, six-episode series is co-created and executive produced by Belle's co-star, Miguel Núñez.

Additional executive producer credits include Oscar Turner for Gallery Road Productions and Jubba Seyyid for TV One.

“TV One is honored to work with Ed. Weinberger and Miguel Núñez on this new comedy series,” said TV One Executive Vice President of Original Programming and Production, Toni Judkins. “Audiences love family comedies, and Belle’s has all the perfect ingredients for success, from its award-winning creators, to its amazing and versatile cast, to its relevant, witty storylines.”

Clips from the upcoming new series to be posted later.