Justin has just posted on his official website that production is about to get underway on a new FOX sitcom pilot from Justin's J2TV production banner.
The pilot is entitled Sons of Tucson.
The pilot is entitled Sons of Tucson.
-- "Sons of Tucson," a single-camera pilot from 20th and J2TV, is channeling the spirit of "Slums of Beverly Hills." It centers on a charming but misguided hustler hired by three rich young brothers to act as their "father" while their real one serves time for a white-collar crime.
Tommy Dewey and Greg Bratman penned the script and serve as supervising producers. Harvey Myman, Jason Felts and Justin Berfield exec produce.
From the original thread: "i will spare you the agony of seeing my grown up mug on the tv screen"
Agony?! Come back to our screens Justin! We miss you, and seeing you on the screen has always been far from agony :wub:
Whatever, like I said it looks like a cool show so here's hoping the project goes well, even if Justin remains behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, "Reaper" cast member Tyler Labine has signed on to star in the Fox comedy pilot "Sons of Tucson."
Labine will play a thirtysomething man who's hired by a group of boys to portray their father while their real dad is in jail. Twentieth Century Fox TV and J2TV are behind the pilot.
Beyond "Reaper," Labine's credits include "Invasion" and the upcoming feature "A Good Old Fashioned Orgy."
FOX has given early series orders to the comicbook drama "Human Target" and the family laffer "Sons of Tucson."
The single-camera laffer "Sons of Tucson" centers on a hustler who's hired by three brothers to pretend to be their father while their real dad is in jail.
Twentieth Century Fox TV is behind "Tucson," which was written by Tommy Dewey and Greg Bratman. J2TV's Harvey Myman, Jason Felts and Justin Berfield exec produce, along with Todd Holland, who directed the pilot. Tyler Labine ("Reaper") and Natalie Morales star.
"Sons," from 20th TV and J2TV, also was an early favorite at the network.
In the spirit of "Slums of Beverly Hills," the project stars Tyler Labine as a charming but misguided hustler hired by three young brothers with considerable resources to act as their father while their real one serves prison time for a white-collar crime.
Frank Dolce, Davis Cleveland, Troy Gentile and Natalie Martinez co-star in the comedy penned by Tommy Dewey and Greg Bratman. Dewey and Bratman exec produce with Harvey Myman, Jason Felts and Justin Berfield. Todd Holland directed the pilot.
In the tradition of “Malcolm in the Middle” and “The Bernie Mac Show,” SONS OF TUCSON is a family comedy about three brothers who hire a charming, wayward schemer to stand in as their father when their real one goes to prison.
What begins as a business relationship evolves into something more complex and compelling: a family unlike any we’ve ever seen.
The three brothers find their dad-for-hire, RON SNUFFKIN (Tyler Labine, “Reaper”), at the local sporting good store. Ron will be forced to draw on a wide array of skills and a vast bag of tricks as he steps into the patriarch role to take care of the boys of the Gunderson family. ROBBY GUNDERSON (Davis Cleveland, “How I Met Your Mother”), 8, is a loose cannon who doesn’t take garbage from anyone; GARY GUNDERSON (Frank Dolce, “Doubt”), 11, is a bright and street-savvy leader who is every bit the con man his father is; and BRANDON GUNDERSON (Troy Gentile, “Entourage”), 13, is a gentle free spirit who goes along for the ride. MAGGIE MORALES (Natalie Martinez, “Saints & Sinners”), Robby’s second-grade teacher and the object of Ron’s affection, might just be the only stable figure in the lives of this quirky quartet.
While SONS OF TUCSON is grounded in the day-to-day challenges of a single-parent home, nothing in the Gunderson household is quite what it seems. An ongoing chess match between Ron and the boys will keep both parties on their toes, as neither side can afford to give up too much power or independence.
SONS OF TUCSON is directed by three-time Emmy Award-winner Todd Holland (“Malcolm in the Middle,” “The Larry Sanders Show”) and produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Justin Berfield, Jason Felts, Harvey Myman and Todd Holland serve as executive producers. Tommy Dewey and Greg Bratman wrote the pilot.
Berfield spoke to the Star last week from his Venice, Calif., office.
Was it a huge relief when Fox picked up the series?
"Yeah, it is always nerve-racking. You never know. You work really hard to put a show together, but there are only so many time slots.
"I was excited about this one because it got me back to Fox, which is where I was for seven years (with 'Malcolm'). It is great to be back home and to have a show I think will really find an audience."
Do any of you have ties to Tucson?
"No. No ties whatsoever except that Tommy, Greg and I love Tucson. I haven't been there in a little while. I'll be organizing a trip for the guys and for all of us at some point."
What were your first impressions when the series was pitched to you?
"I loved it. I loved the notion of three boys of three different ages having to make their way in their new lives."
Why cast Labine as Snuffkin?
"Tyler is incredible. He is probably one of the funniest guys I've met or been around in a long time. He is great with the boys and a real leader.
"He is really, really talented, and we all had a hand in casting him in the show. The studio and the network are really excited about him. I can't imagine anyone else playing Ron."
Any favorite characters?
"Being a former child actor and having grown up on television myself, I think all three of the boys are great. They are all fresh and really good. We were able to pull Frank Dolce off Broadway. He was in 'Billy Elliot.'
"Davis Cleveland is playing Robby. He is very funny. He is a great kid, and his timing is incredible. Troy Gentile has been in several movies, including 'Hotel for Dogs,' and he is doing very well."