LL Cool J Is 'The Man'

Zap2It.com | September 18, 2006

LL Cool J

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Rapper-actor signs for pilot from 'CSI' creator

"CSI" creator Anthony Zuiker is branching out from the three-headed crime franchise with a new pilot for CBS.

Zuiker is writing a pilot called "The Man" for CBS that will star rapper-actor LL Cool J as an undercover cop who divides his time between work and looking after three adopted kids, each of whom has some heavy baggage. The project has a tentative pilot commitment from the network and sister studio CBS Paramount Network TV.

The show derives its title from the lead character's cover, an all-purpose fixer who can get anything you want. "He's the only honest man on the wrong side of the law," Zuiker tells The Hollywood Reporter.

LL Cool J signed a talent deal with CBS earlier this year, and the network's head of entertainment, Nina Tassler, asked Zuiker if he'd be interested in developing a project for the actor. Zuiker, who says he's a long-time fan, quickly came up with the concept for "The Man," and he describes working with LL as a "childhood dream come true."

"The Man" will be the first show Zuiker has developed since launching the "CSI" franchise, which has helped turn CBS into the most-watched network on TV. The original series begins its seventh season this week, while "CSI: Miami" starts its fifth and "CSI: NY" its third.

LL Cool J (born James Todd Smith) most recently appeared onscreen in "The Last Holiday." Other recent acting credits include "S.W.A.T.," "Mindhunters" and a guest appearance on "House." His most recent album, "Todd Smith," was released earlier this year.