As one door closes in the TV industry, another opens -- or at least that seems to be the case for John Leguizamo, after ABC picked up a new untitled comedy based loosely on the actor's life after passing on another pilot he was set to star in.
According to Deadline, the new half-hour project is inspired by Leguizamo's life as a fish-out-of-water husband and father on the upper West Side of New York. His character will struggle to balance his privileged lifestyle (including his wife and spoiled kids) with his friends and old life in the Bronx. Trying to keep him grounded and in touch with his Latin roots will be Leguizamo's mother and grandfather.
The actor will co-write/produce the untitled comedy with former "Family Guy" co-showrunner Chris Sheridan, as part of a development deal with ABC. Leguizamo's scrapped project, titled "The Kings of Van Nuys," was based on the UK comedy "Only Fools And Horses." Although ABC passed on the initial pilot for "Kings," they ordered a retooled version, but that too was declined earlier this week. According to TV Guide, "Kings" was ABC's second attempt at adapting the British show, and would've co-starred Dustin Ybarra as Leguizamo's brother and partner in a number of ill-advised get-rich-quick schemes.
Would you watch a comedy based on John Leguizamo's life?