Castle Rock, Peacock plan Morris-led 'Seinfeld' spinoff
Who's getting a show? 'Jackie Chiles,' that's who
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"Seinfeld" producer Castle Rock TV is in the early stages of developing a spinoff called "The Jackie Chiles Show."
The series will star Phil Morris, the actor who played Jackie Chiles, a Johnnie Cochran-esque lawyer who represented "Seinfeld's" Kramer character.
Chiles appeared in six episodes of "Seinfeld," including the series finale.
Morris revealed plans for the new show on Thursday during a Television Critics Assn. panel for cabler BET. Morris stars in an upcoming original movie for BET.
Castle Rock execs confirmed that "The Jackie Chiles Show" was in the very early stages of development, but no writers or producers are formally attached. Jerry Seinfeld and "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David have given the project their OK, but neither is involved with the show.
Morris said that Castle Rock execs will soon pitch NBC on the new show. But an NBC spokeswoman said that development of "The Jackie Chiles Show" was "news to us."
"Jackie needs to be involved in a situation with great conflict," Morris told Daily Variety when asked to explain the premise of the show. "He'll be hired by a white, austere law firm and then the sparks will fly."
Morris added that the show will work topical news events into each episode. Like "Seinfeld," "The Jackie Chiles Show" will take place in Manhattan.
Morris said that he personally pitched Seinfeld on the idea to create a spinoff featuring his character.
Since "Seinfeld" left NBC, Morris has revived Jackie Chiles in two Honda commercials. Morris said that the public interest generated by the spots inspired him to write a treatment for "The Jackie Chiles Show," which he sent to Seinfeld.
"Jerry owns the rights to Jackie Chiles and he approved the copy for the Honda ads," Morris said. "That's why I had to go to him."
Morris said it was ironic that the black Jackie Chiles could be the first spinoff from "Seinfeld," because the sitcom had been criticized for including few black characters on the show.
Although Jackie Chiles is essentially an over-the-top parody of Johnnie Cochran, Morris said that the famed lawyer has given his blessings to bring the character back on the air.
"I go to the same barber shop as Cochran and he's given me his full support," Morris said.
Morris, who will star in BET's upcoming telefilm "Incognito," has a regular role on UPN's "Love Boat: The Next Generation" and has appeared in films such as "Wag the Dog" and "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock."
