the comic's comic

WEtv green-lights "reality" series for Sinbad, red-lights similar series for Tammy Pescatelli

WEtv announced today that it had ordered a new series that depicts the life of comedian Sinbad and his family, called Sinbad's Family Affair.

The six one-hour episodes will premiere at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12.

“Sinbad’s story is one of second chances. It’s remarkable and heartwarming, but not without its drama, conflict and chaos,” said John Miller, senior vice president, original productions & development, WE tv and Wedding Central. “This is a Modern Family that’s reunited and they’re dealing with the emotions and issues that come along with that. It’s what viewers will see more of on WE tv, and women will be able to connect with this story and this family, either from their own experiences or those of people in their life.”

Meanwhile, in that same time slot currently on the network, WEtv has taken Tammy Pescatelli's series, A Stand-Up Mother, off the air after only two episodes. Pescatelli and her fans have gone online to try to rally support to bring the show back. In its place, the network is airing repeats of the Joan Rivers series, Joan and Melissa: Joan Knows Best? On its Facebook page, WE tv reps wrote just minutes ago: "Hey Everyone! Thanks for all your comments about "A Standup Mother". We hear you, and we want the show to come back soon too! The show is currently on hiatus and will be back later this year. Go WEtv.com for exclusive clips and extras until then!"

“Sinbad’s Family Affair” will be produced for WE tv by Thinkfactory Media.  The series is executive produced by Leslie Greif, Adam Freeman and Adam Reed.  Sinbad, Vernetta Jenkins, and Chuck Vinson are co-executive producers.  Executive producers for WE tv are John Miller and Kate Farrell.

 

Sinbad: Where U Been? Not quitting his night job, obviously getting fired from Celebrity Apprentice

Spoiler alert! No, not really. Despite Joan Rivers prevailing the last time Donald Trump played the celebrity bored game of Apprentice, this TV competition is not kind to stand-up comedians, and after Carol Leifer was first to get the boot, Sinbad was second to get shown the door last night on the NBC television network.

Here is his exit interview.

Some people may have said, Sinbad? Who? What? Didn't he draw the short straw from Jingle All the Way, not being governor of California and all? Where U Been? Well, Sinbad has spent most of his nights -- ever since way back to his first big break on the original Star Search -- touring as a stand-up. I knew that. You may have known that if you're here. Maybe you forgot? That can happen when a comedian isn't on a recent TV show, which is how a guy like Sinbad winds up on Celebrity Apprentice to begin with.

But back to Where U Been, because his DVD came out last month and debuted on Comedy Central as his first stand-up special in forever. This clip from the DVD -- which didn't air on Comedy Central -- probably explains why he wasn't built for Celebrity Apprentice, since he says he has been fired or quit every non-comedian job he has had! Roll it.

As for the rest of the special? Let's see what my notes say.

Sinbad

Sinbad is calling from the mountains outside of Pasadena, Calif., on his way to a voice lesson.
Is the 48-year-old comedian and actor going Broadway on us? Well, sort of. He performs Thursday at The Opera House as part of the Broadway Across America series.
“I’m the next hot r & b pop star,” he jokes.
Sinbad certainly doesn’t regret missing Boston’s “American Idol” auditions last week. “What, so they can find 10 more kids who can’t sing?”
And yet, it’s consistently the nation’s most popular TV show.
“We like the star thing. We like to see people become stars,” Sinbad says.
He knows that firsthand, getting his big break in the 1980s as stand-up comic on “Star Search.” That was different, he maintains, because he and the other comedians had to pay their dues. “You know, we put time in, 40 weeks a year working it as a comic. ‘Star Search’ was that little extra push that you needed,” he says.
“Idol” contestants talk about pleasing their fans? “Your fans? You’ve only been singing two months!” he says.
Sinbad has done TV sitcoms (“A Different World”), late-night talk shows and movies (“Houseguest”), but his most enduring work seems to be the 1996 film “Jingle All The Way,” which has become a holiday staple for airlines’ in-flight movies.
“I think it’s because of Arnold (Schwarzenegger),” Sinbad says. “Anything he touches turns to gold.”
Plus, people can relate to the idea of parents frantic over finding the “hot” Christmas gift for their children. “Every father has been through that one time. For me, it was a white Power Ranger. I stalked a supply truck,” he says.
Sinbad continues to tour, performing in theaters while plotting his next career move.
“I’ve got an idea for a sitcom, some movies. I’m a one-man industry,” he says.
But he has a clear preference.
“I love movies,” he says. “TV is what it is. It’s hard for me to work in that medium. There’s certain things that work better for me, and movies do that. Maybe it’s the size of the screen. I look good big.”