By Beth Harris
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) --Chuck Lorre is bringing his take on immigrant life in America to CBS, and claims it has nothing to do with President Donald Trump's hardline stance on the crisis at the southern U.S. border.
The creator of such hits as "The Big Bang Theory" and "Young Sheldon" told a TV critics meeting Thursday that "Bob Hearts Abishola" is about the greatness of first-generation immigrants and the hard work and focus they bring to their new lives in America.
"I have no idea what the reaction might be. I hope it's what's in our heart," Lorre said. "We're all immigrants or grandchildren of immigrants or greatgrandchildren of immigrants. It's not a political show in that sense. It's about people."
Lorre pulled a yellow baseball cap with the black letters IMAG out of a plastic grocery bag, explaining it stood for Immigrants Make America Great as he donned it.
He said the show is about people he's known who have come to America.
"I've always thought that is a great story," he said.
On the surface, the show resembles a romantic comedy in the vein of Lorre's hit "Mike & Molly," which co-starred Billy Gardell, who plays one of the title characters in the show debuting Sept. 23.
But Lorre said the romance is merely a way to get into the story of Bob, a middle-aged compression sock salesman from Detroit, who falls for his cardiac nurse, a Nigerian immigrant, while recovering from a heart attack.
"I don't think he cares where she's from," Gardell said. "He just thinks there's a moment of safety after a moment of danger."
Folake Olowofoyeku (fola-ke-olo-wo-foy-e-ku), a Nigeria native, plays Abishola. Producer Gina Yashere, a Brit whose parents are Nigerian, was brought in to help Lorre and fellow executive producer Al Higgins with authenticity.
Yashere quickly asked the name of the nurse. Higgins said they were thinking Lupita, inspired by actress Lupita Nyong'o.
Yashere pointed out Nyong'o was born in Mexico and grew up in Kenya. She gave Lorre and Higgins a list of Nigerian names and they chose Abishola, which she said means to guide.
"Not too complicated for the American palate once you get used to it," Yashere said.
Eleanor Adds Director Candice Vernon To Its Roster For Spots and Branded Content
Director Candice Vernon has joined production house Eleanor for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. She has already wrapped several jobs at Eleanor, which waited to announce her until they had a body of work together.
Via Eleanor, Vernon made history as the first Black director on a Febreze commercial. The “Small Spaces” campaign marks a major departure from Febreze’s typical blue-and-white world. The home of the “Revolving Door” commercial is a beautiful array of bold sunset hues, African prints, and African art.
Vernon said, “I asked myself, what feels right to me? What feels new? I wanted to bring an essence of not just Black Americans but the full diaspora. I wanted to make a statement that we’re not a monolith.”
Following the success of the “Small Spaces” campaign, Febreze brought Vernon back for a comedy-infused trifecta exploring the hilarious situations that call for an air freshening hero.
Febreze Brand VP Angelica Matthews said, “About two years ago, we realized the consumers that were the most loyal to Febreze were the African American consumers. And the more we learned, the more we realized the richness that we were really missing. So we said we have to go beyond just Black casting, we need to get Black directors that truly understand the culture that truly understand how to bring authentic performances out on screen. We really looked around the industry and noticed there’s actually a shortage of African American directors who have experience doing commercials. When we all saw Candice’s reel, we could all tell the passion for the craft, passion for really trying to help us from where we are to where we’re trying to go.”
Vernon brings a unique lens to... Read More