Kevin James is coming back to television, even though, with King Of Queens re-runs playing every night in syndication, it feels as though he never really left. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the everyman comedian has inked a two-year, first-look deal with the studio behind The King Of Queens.
The deal calls for James and his Hey Eddie Productions banner to produce a television series, presumably about a schlubby guy who’s married to a sexy gal who’s much smarter than him. Comic misunderstandings and battles of the sexes will ensue. James has received numerous offers this pilot season; he previously had a two-year television development deal with Lionsgate Television, where he planned to develop a new multi-camera sitcom that would almost certainly feature a snarky best friend character.
James has also renewed his first-look deal with Columbia Pictures, the studio behind the second installment in the Paul Blart saga, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2. Based on the number of animals kicking James in the nuts in the trailer for the Paul Blart sequel, it would appear to be a crossover with 2011’s Zookeeper. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Regardless, you can see Kevin James in your local multiplex when Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 opens on April 17, and on your TV every day before and after that until the end of time.