Mike Epps Gets His Hustle on As ‘Uncle Buck’

Comedian Mike Epps’ turn as Uncle Buck in the new sitcom based on John Hughes’ 1989 film “Uncle Buck” is like night and Day-Day. The latter referencing Epps’ senimal character from the movie Next Friday.

The veteran funny man is trading in his normally foul-mouthed stand-up for a shadier but still fun-loving version of John Candy’s affable character portrayed with an African-American twist: You know, the “little ins and outs about hustling” that “Middle America” might not quite get. “But we know what it is [like Buck hustling his niece’s Girl Scout cookies] and it’s funny,” Epps quipped. As more family-oriented fare Epps portraying the nanny-slash-crazy uncle to his brother’s kids is looking to reach new audiences.

“People are gonna look at me like, ‘That’s not John Candy’.” But for those new to Candy, Epps surmised, “I think the show is gonna be an education, as well as a homecoming.” The show debuts tonight at 9:00 and 9:30 PM ET on ABC. See the the TV trailer below.