WHITE FAMOUS is a collaboration between writer and showrunner Tom Kapinos (CALIFORNICATION) and Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx, based on Foxx’s personal experiences coming up in the business. Tim Story, the prolific director who helmed the movie franchises Barbershop, Fantastic Four, Ride Along and Think Like A Man, will executive produce and direct the pilot. The announcement was made today by David Nevins, President and CEO, Showtime Networks Inc., at the 2017 Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour.
A co-production of Lionsgate Television and SHOWTIME, WHITE FAMOUS will focus on a talented, young African-American comedian, Floyd Mooney (Pharoah), whose star is rising, forcing him to navigate the treacherous waters of maintaining his credibility as he begins to cross-over toward becoming “white famous.” The series will be written and executive produced by Kapinos, and executive produced by Foxx, who will guest star in a recurring role. Cleopatra Coleman plays Floyd’s ex-girlfriend “Sadie,” the love of his life and the mother of his son. Utkarsh Ambudkar (The Mindy Project) plays “Malcolm,” Floyd's frustrated agent who wants his client to do whatever it takes to make it big. Jacob Ming-Trent (Feed the Beast) and Lonnie Chavis (This is Us) also star. Stephen Tobolowsky (The Goldbergs) guest stars in the series’ pilot.
Episode Synopses
“PILOT”
Episode 101
Written by Tom Kapinos
Directed by Tim Story
Hot young stand-up comic Floyd Mooney is poised to jump to the next level of fame, if only he would stop sabotaging himself. But when a damning racial encounter between Floyd and a powerful film producer goes viral, Floyd finds an exciting new opportunity presenting itself… but only if he’s willing to bend his principles to further his career.
“HEAT”
Episode 102
Written by Tom Kapinos
Directed by Tim Story
Fresh off the set of Molested!, Malcolm pushes a reluctant Floyd to commit to his next project – a race-based prestige series, helmed by an eccentric director. Trevor takes a tour of an expensive private school, forcing Floyd to reconsider his sabbatical from acting; and Sadie comes clean about a relationship that started while Floyd was away.
“WOO”
Episode 103
Written by Tom Kapinos
Directed by Tim Story
Floyd’s commitment to Angry Black wavers after learning Sadie’s new boyfriend has been cast as his co-star. Malcolm must go head-to-head with a sexy rival from his past as she attempts to poach all of his clients from him. And a chance fling with the network president’s wife looms large over Floyd’s fledging career, while Balls has a brush-in with love of his own.
“APPETITES”
Episode 104
Written by Tom Kapinos
Directed by Ken Whittingham
Floyd receives an unwelcome invitation to a dinner party hosted by Peter and Amy, where secrets from the couple’s philandering past threaten to resurface. Floyd and Balls are called upon to settle a creative dispute over Teddy’s use of the N-word; and Stu shares troubling news from the set of Molested!
“LIFE ON MARS”
Episode 105
Written by Tom Kapinos
Directed by Millicent Shelton
When their children’s misbehavior sends Floyd, Sadie, Peter and Amy to the principal’s office of Trevor’s exclusive new private school, it’s Floyd, not Trevor, who lands in hot water. While Sadie worries about the punishing consequence this could have on Trevor’s enrollment, Malcolm and Teddy unwittingly suffer the professional repercussions of Floyd’s misdeeds.
“WOLVES”
Episode 106
Written by Tom Kapinos
Directed by Michael Lehmann
Still unaware of the real reason behind Angry Black’s cancellation, a coked-out Teddy seeks Floyd’s help in winning back the rights to his project. Malcolm sets up shop at Floyd and Balls’ place while looking for new employment, an unexpected opportunity presents itself to Floyd, and Amy’s talents for negotiation are tested when Teddy’s confrontation with Peter turns violent.
CAST:
JAY PHAROAH
- "Floyd"
UTKARSH AMBUDKAR
- "Malcolm"
JACOB MING-TRENT
- "Ron Balls"
LONNIE CHAVIS
- "Trevor"
CLEOPATRA COLEMAN
- "Sadie"
GUEST STARS:
JAMIE FOXX
- Himself
MICHAEL RAPAPORT
- "Teddy"
STEPHEN TOBOLOWSKY
- "Stu"
JACK DAVENPORT
- "Peter"
KENDRICK SAMPSON
- "Robbie"
LYNDON SMITH
- "Gwen"
NATALIE ZEA
- "Amy"
MEAGAN GOOD
"Kali"
PRODUCTION:
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
- TOM KAPINOS
- JAMIE FOXX
- TIM STORY
PRODUCERS
- NICOLAS STERN
- HANNAH FRIEDMAN
- EARL DAVIS
CO- PRODUCERS
- WAYNE CONLEY
- GABRIEL ROTH
- ROBBIE MACDONALD
UNIT PRODUCTION MANAGER
- MICHELLE LANKWARDEN
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
- RICH TOYON
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
- SIDNEY SIDELL
CASTING DIRECTOR
- FELICIA FASANO
COSTUME DESIGNER
- OLIVIA MILES
