Modern Family star Eric Stonestreet is staying in the family with his first producing effort, a comedy at ABC and 20th TV, the network and studio behind the Emmy-winning series. The project, Big Stop, also is keeping Stonestreet close to his real-life family as it is set in his native Kansas. Written by Jerry Collins (The Bernie Mac Show), Big Stop is described as a multi-camera comedy with a modern take on family and today’s current issues as seen through the lens of a bustling Kansas truck stop where stories and characters, like big rigs, come rolling in off the highway everyday. Stonestreet and longtime friend Collins executive produce.
A couple of years ago, Collins visited Stonestreet in his home state. “He wanted the Kansas Fourth of July experience,” Stonestreet said. That experience stuck with Collins and Stonestreet when they started hashing out ideas for a TV show. “We wanted a workplace comedy that felt organic,” Stonestreet said about the choice of setting. “Truck stops are the airports of the highways where all sorts of characters with their stories come through. It is relatable — no matter if you’re a businessman or a politician or a regular guy, we all find ourselves at a truck stop at one time or another.”
Stonestreet said he got the producing bug while “being surrounded by so many talented people and funny writers” on Modern Family. “When my great days on the show end, I’d like to have the opportunity to continue to create and produce and get a show on the air one day that is hopefully as good as Modern Family.”
Stonestreet and Collins are repped by CAA. Stonestreet, who has won two Emmys for his role as Modern Family‘s flamboyant Cameron Tucker, is also with Thruline and Felker Tocek.
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