Fox, the network known for edgy comedy like "The Simpsons" and "In Living Color," is relying on a new series about rowdy senior citizens to catch the attention of its younger-skewing viewers.
"The Cool Kids" debuts at 8:30 p.m. Friday on Fox, introducing audiences to three pals who run their retirement community until a new female arrives who challenges their status. Think high school for 60-somethings and a new spin on "senior class."
The ensemble cast includes Chattanoogan Leslie Jordan among its four comedy veterans. Jordan plays Sid, Martin Mull is Charlie and David Alan Grier is Hank. Vicki Lawrence is the female mean girl who challenges the bro code.
Tune in
“The Cool Kids” debuts at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, on Fox.
A promotional shot for "The Cool Kids" with cast members Vicki Lawrence and David Alan Grier, in front; Leslie Jordan and Martin Mull in back. Jordan is an alumnus of Brainerd High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. (Fox photo)"The Cool Kids" is created and executive-produced by Charlie Day ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"), inspired by Day's time working in a nursing home.
"I'm so proud of it," says Jordan during a phone interview about the new show. "When we shot the pilot, we got bigger laughs than I ever got with 'Will & Grace.' There were scenes with Vicki and I that almost played out like the old Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman stuff."
Jordan says there is a real chemistry between the foursome that caught the attention of the writers and producers at their first table read.
"It was like verbal ping-pong when we sat down to read. They are seasoned, seasoned comedians. I just don't feel like I have the years they do," he says of his co-stars. However, the Emmy Award he won for his role as cynical Beverley Leslie in "Will & Grace" might prove otherwise.
Jordan laughingly describes one of his first scenes with Lawrence after she arrives at Shady Meadows retirement home.
"There are four guys who play cards every day, and the fourth one dies in the pilot. We're trying to figure out what we're going to do without him, and we keep his chair empty in his memory.
"Vicki walks in, sits down at our table with the three guys, and we tell her she can't sit there. She laughs and asks, 'Why not? Are you the cool kids?'"
When the guys answer they are, she casts a disparaging eye toward Jordan and asks in disbelief, "Him?!"
In another scene, they get in trouble when a retirement-center resident dies, and the guys "borrow" the deceased's credit card to go buy beer.
"It's people growing older, but it's got an edge to it. A younger crowd is writing it," says Jordan. "It's like 'Golden Girls' on crack."
"The Cool Kids" has been picked up for 13 episodes, and the cast has spent more than 16 hours doing promotions, Jordan says. (In one promo, producers wanted to replicate "The Breakfast Club" poster; Jordan is Molly Ringwald.)
The comedy is already receiving critical acclaim from the entertainment industry.
TV Guide calls the seasoned cast "spectacular." Entertainment Weekly named it to its fall TV "9 Must-Watch New Shows."
Jordan says "The Cool Kids" lead-in on Friday nights will be "Last Man Standing," starring Tim Allen.
"I think people are going to realize they miss this kind of comedy," says Jordan. "I'm so excited about this new show. I think it's going to have the kind of buzz that's going to really take off.
"I've been around a long time, and I know comedy," he says.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.