Actor/rapper Ice Cube is putting together a new sitcom for Atlanta-based TBS based on the film “Are We There Yet?”

The show will get a 10-episode test run with an option for 90 additional episodes in a business model similar to that developed by Atlanta’s Tyler Perry with “House of Payne” and “Meet the Browns.” Both of those shows, which draw huge African-American audiences, had test runs, then major commitments afterwards.

The typical scripted program gets 10 to 13 episodes at a time on cable, 22 a year on broadcast TV.

 Loading ...

Ice Cube starred in the 2005 hit film “Are We There Yet?” According to imdb.com, the film grossed an impressive $82.3 million. Critics were not kind. On Rotten Tomatoes, only 12% of critics liked the film:

Consensus: This supposed family comedy starring the usually blameless Ice Cube and Nia Long has provoked most critics to write, “Is it over yet?”

Terry Crews, just off a four-year run as the dad in the CW’s cancelled “Everybody Hates Chris,” will star in the sitcom. Ice Cube will make occasional appearances but Crews will play Ice Cube’s original role.

In the press release:

Ice Cube said, “People of all ages loved the movies, so I am very excited to work on the series. Terry Crews is the perfect person to replace me as Nick. His physical comedy is undeniable. And Joe Roth is a master at putting the right team together. Cube Vision and Ali Leroi is a match made in heaven. No one runs a show like Ali. We are dedicated to creating the new template for family comedy.”

Ice Cube is working with movie producer Joe Roth, who owns the film, and Ali LeRoi. who put together “Everybody Hates Chris.”

TBS is basically taking over the black sitcom arena that UPN used to own in recent years. And when UPN became the CW, the sitcoms with predominantly African-American casts became scarcer and last season, buried on Friday nights. “The Game” and “Chris” were the last of the survivors.

Michael Wright, head of original programming at TBS, TNT and TCM, said since Tyler Perry invented the model, at least 50 others have pitched ideas to the network using the same concept. But none of them worked for Wright until Roth and Ice Cube came along. “Are We There Yet?” already has a fan base from the two movies and Wright said he has confidence Roth and Ice Cube can translate that success into sitcom form.

Where the show is going to be shot has not been decided and a launch date has not been set, Wright added.