Bobbcat Films has amicably settled a lawsuit with Atlanta-based Bounce TV over a sitcom starring "Meet the Browns" stars David and Tamela Mann.
Bounce TV sued Bobbcat because the two sides had agreed to have the Manns star in a scripted comedy for Bounce called "Mann & Wife." The company sent out a press release in May announcing the show forthcoming in 2015.
But a few days later, Roger Bobb, who runs Atlanta-based Bobbcat, informed Bounce TV that the Manns were going to a reality show with BET instead. Bounce filed the lawsuit soon after when they couldn't resolve the issue privately.
Now it appears the Manns will do both shows. A Bounce TV spokesman today confirmed the sitcom is moving forward. And I saw BET shooting footage at the Neighborhood Awards for its reality show on the Steve Harvey "blue carpet" outside Philips Arena this past Saturday.
The untitled Manns entry will follow Tamela Mann (Diary of a Mad Black Woman) and David Mann (Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns) and feature the couple at home with their four adult children, at exclusive events and with their famous friends. The couple, married for 26 years, have become well-known around the globe for their roles in Tyler Perry's film and stage work. BET has picked up eight hourlong episodes of the show from Entertainment One. The Manns exec produce alongside Long, Miller, McKoy, Roger Bobb and Phil Thornton.
Back in June, a BET spokesman said the working title of the show was "Meet the Manns" and BET had committed to eight episodes. A launch date had not been set.
The couple starred in TBS's "Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns" from 2009 to 2012.
Three-year-old Bounce TV, which is available on free digital channels without the need for a cable or satellite subscription, is available in 88 markets, including all of the top African-American television markets; 89 percent of African-American television homes; and 72 percent of the total television homes in the United States. It ranked No. 9 among all non-broadcast networks in the second quarter with African Americans, beating TV One and Centric.
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