NBC’s comedy pilot, The Kenan Show (aka Saving Kenan), starring Kenan Thompson, has added Andy Garcia to the cast as Kenan’s father-in-law. If the pilot gets ordered for a full season, the show will mark Garcia’s first regular role in a TV series.
The namesake of the pilot, Kenan Thompson, laid tracks in the comedy world with memorable roles in Good Burger, Kenan & Kel, and sketch comedy sensation All That. Thompson then landed a regular spot on the iconic Saturday Night Live - which he’ll leave if The Kenan Show gets picked up to series - and dabbled in projects outside of sketch comedy including Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Snakes on a Plane. Meanwhile, Garcia’s work has mostly been seen in features such as The Godfather: Part III, Ocean’s Eleven (and its sequels) and Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. Garcia’s craft received recognition with two Emmy nominations for HBO film, For Love or Country: The Andy Sandoval Story, and an Oscar nomination for supporting actor in The Godfather: Part III. Now, NBC is extending Garcia’s list of TV credits, as the network has added him to the cast of The Kenan Show.
According to Deadline, Garcia will play Percy, Thompson’s tenacious father-in-law. Percy is a retired police officer who wreaks havoc on Thompson’s household when he decides to become more involved in their lives. The plotline is set to follow the recently widowed Thompson’s struggles as he’s untangling the webs that come with tragedy and single-parenthood. It’s still unclear if Garcia’s character will be living in Thompson’s household, but with his character being retired, a full-time presence seems likely. Thompson’s role will no doubt juxtapose beautifully with Garcia’s as they work out grief in the comedy-centered program.
The Kenan Show is in the hands of executive producers Thompson, Chris Rock, and Jackie Clarke - Clarke has also penned the pilot script. Legendary comedian Rock has been tapped to direct the pilot in addition to producer duties. The creative team also includes seasoned TV producers Lorne Michaels (SNL) and Andrew Singer. Even with Garcia slated for The Kenan Show, the actor has also been busy with the development of Big Gold Brick and stars in Words on Bathroom Walls.
In-laws - onscreen and offscreen - can be part of some of the most complicated, layered and valued relationships one has. Hollywood has explored this bond in numerous works such as Monster-in-Law, Everybody Loves Raymond and Meet the Parents. The dynamic of the relationship between Kenan and Percy and the impressive list of creative forces behind the show could be what sold Garcia on this rare TV commitment. The likelihood of The Kenan Show getting ordered for a full season has increased with the addition of Garcia’s star power. No doubt Garcia will bring depth, wisdom, and soul to the role of a father-in-law, and join the list of memorable ones in the history of television.
More: The Good Place Renewed For Season 4 At NBC
Source: Deadline
