Kevin James Heads Back To TV: Will He Be The King Of CBS Comedy Again?
Kevin James is giving the sitcom game another go. Nearly 10 years after his CBS sitcom, The King of Queens, ended its nine-season run on CBS, James is headed back to the Eye Network to star in a new comedy series. Entertainment Weekly reports that CBS has picked up a full season order for Kevin James’ new sitcom, which will be titled Kevin Can Wait.
James will play a newly retired police officer who finds himself facing a new set of challenges after spending more time with his wife and three kids at home. Kevin’s co-stars include Erinn Hayes, Taylor Spreitler, Mary-Charles Jones, James Digiacomo, Ryan Cartwright, Leonard Earl Howze, Lenny Venito, and Gary Valentine. TV veteran Bruce Helford will executive produce Kevin Can Wait alongside James, Reuben, and James’ producing partner Jeff Sussman. The show will premiere this fall on CBS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuNcS1-Xpxs
Kevin James has made a big name for himself on the big screen, so why would he go from Mall Cop to retired cop? According to the Hollywood Reporter, James has fielded numerous offers for TV pilots in recent years after inking a two-year first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television, which includes a sitcom project that he would headline. James previously had a development deal with Lionsgate Television to create a multi-camera comedy with an additional feature film component, and while he had originally planned to star in a 10-episode straight-to-series order with Lionsgate, the actor walked away from the deal.
It’s not surprising that for his move back to TV, Kevin James will return to CBS. The stand-up comic was a network staple for more than a decade after getting his big break with a recurring role on Everybody Loves Raymond. Kevin’s work with Ray Romano helped spawn his starring role on The King of Queens.
James starred with Leah Remini in the long-running sitcom about working-class Queens couple Doug and Carrie Heffernan. After The King of Queens ended in 2007, James starred in the Paul Blart: Mall Cop movies, as well as other films like Zookeeper, Pixels, and Grown Ups with pal Adam Sandler.
Fans have noticed that Kevin James puts his friends and family in many of his shows and movies. Kevin’s wife Steffiana de la Cruz made cameos in several King of Queens episodes and his brother, Gary Valentine, had a recurring role as Doug’s cousin Danny. While Valentine will join his brother for Kevin Can Wait, it’s hard to imagine Kevin James back on the small screen without Leah Remini by his side.
Remini has not been mentioned for the Kevin Can Wait project, but she has talked about her close friendship with James and how she still mourns the end of The King of Queens. In an interview with Buzzfeed, Remini said Kevin James decided to pull the plug on the show because he wanted it to go out on a high note.
“Kevin loved the show, but his film career was taking off and he didn’t want it to end up being the show that trickled off,” she said. “I mean, everyone else was OK going out with a 0.3 rating. I understood his position, and looking back, he was right, but I’m still mourning that loss. I can’t really watch the reruns because I still feel that show in my bones.”
The Kevin James vehicle Kevin Can Wait is one of two big-name sitcoms on CBS’ roster for this fall. According to Deadline, James’ show and a Matt LeBlanc pilot from CBS Studios have been given top priority by CBS chairman Les Moonves, who has even attended table reads and tapings for the projects.
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