Following the not exactly stellar success of his acting career to date - 'Ghosts Of Mars' and 'Barbershop 2' both roughly about as enjoyable as a lightbulb casserole - former NWA rapper Ice Cube has decided to switch to a behind-the-scenes role for his latest project: a TV cop comedy for NBC.

Yep, he may not be 'the one/ for a punk motherfucker with a badge and a gun/ to be beating on', but when it comes to writing and producing network sitcoms about the boys in blue, the Cube just can't get enough of his law-enforcement buddies.

 

Who in the name of Christ thought this was a good idea? Step forward studio chairman Ben Silverman, who has babbled thus:

"A guy like Ice Cube, who's multi-talented, is someone we really wanted to be in business with. He's had an amazing career, to have gone from NWA to this. We really want to capture his voice and his eye for talent, and his producing acumen. If he appeared in the pilot or series, we'd be really excited about that."

 

You might well be excited about that prospect, Benny-boy, but fans of minor things such as 'screen presence' or 'acting ability' might not be so keen. Last time we saw Cube trying to emote - during an in-flight screening of a movie appropriately entitled 'Are We Done Yet?' - he was so wooden the stench of Ronseal made our eyes water.

Cube's involvement aside, not much else is known about the upcoming series, other than each episode will be an hour long. Presumably it's not going to be one of those old-school sitcoms that feature a laugh track - you know, the sort in which a shower of whooping accompanies every silly facial expression, worn-out catchphrase and tedious farting gag.

 

Because last time we checked, 'Little Britain USA' pretty much had that market covered.

 by CJ