NBC said goodbye to two Friday comedies last week. According to TVLine, the network announced the cancellations of the autobiographical comedy Young Rock and the friend group single-camera series, Grand Crew. Both were in their third and second seasons, respectively.
The younger comedy, Grand Crew, was the creation of Phil Augusta Jackson (It’s A Party, Junketeers) and followed a group of 30-something friends living in Los Angeles who all convened at their favorite wine bar. Following the lives of siblings Noah and Nicky (Arrow’s Echo Kellum and Nailed It’s Nicole Byer), we met their hilariously different buddies: Aaron Jennings’s (NCIS, Pure Genius) Anthony, Carl Tart’s (Star Trek: Lower Decks, Miracle Workers) Sherm, Justin Cunningham’s (When They See Us, Blue Bloods) Wyatt, and Grasie Mercedes’ (A Darker Reality, Jackass Forever) Fay. Each episode followed their comical escapades of adulthood, from Noah’s quest to find true love to their grappling with the dangers of being Black in America.
Jackson posted a statement in response to the unfortunate news on Twitter: “Grand Crew was cancelled today, but it’s still a celebration. I’m grateful that I got to create and showrun two seasons of network TV with my friends — it was a dream come true. Thanks to everyone who worked on and watched the show.”
The series premiered in December of 2021 along with another sophomore series, the workplace comedy American Auto.
Young Rock was a vehicle from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), Hobbs & Shaw) that followed his upbringing through three distinct periods in his life. Set in a future where he is running for President of the United States, Johnson retells his story as a child growing up with his wrestler father and caring mother; his rambunctious teen years; and, his years as a failed pro football player. Eventually, the timeline as a young adult entered his early career as a professional wrestler.
The show featured a diverse cast including actors who depicted various real-life pro wrestlers of the 80s and 90s. The show starred Uli Latukefu (The Legend of Baron To’a, Last King of the Cross) as college Dwayne, Bradley Constant (Following Phil) as high school Dwayne, and Adrian Groulx (The Christmas Cure) as kid Dwayne, affectionately known as “Dewey.” Joseph Lee Anderson (Harriet, American Soul) played his father Rocky, while Stacey Leilua (Love Birds, Tatau) played his mother Ata, and Ana Tuisila played his grandmother, Lia Maivia (Harry, Sione’s Wedding).
Young Rock premiered in February of 2021.
All episodes of Young Rock and season one of Grand Crew are available to stream on Peacock.