PREMIERE

STRAIGHT FROM AMERICA'S HEARTLAND COMES "RODNEY," STARRING STANDUP COMEDIAN RODNEY CARRINGTON AS A FAMILY MAN AND WOULD-BE COMIC, TRYING TO BALANCE HIS HOME LIFE AND FLEDGLING CAREER, PREMIERING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 ON ABC

Rodney Hamilton is a down-to-earth guy's guy who, with his own heartland intelligence, is never afraid to speak the truth. In the middle of real, everyday America, Rodney's life revolves around his family -- wife Trina and their two boys, Jack and Bo, his longtime friend, Barry, and his man-hungry sister-in-law, Charlie, a frequent visitor to the Hamilton house, on "Rodney," starring standup comedian Rodney Carrington in the title role, premiering TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

In the premiere episode, "Pilot," Rodney tells his wife, Trina, that he wants to put aside his horrible job at a fiberglass plant in order to pursue his dream of making standup comedy his career. But Trina doesn't know how supportive she can be of his decision; she's concerned about how they're going to support themselves on just her salary. Trina's father, Carl (recurring guest star Mac Davis), is no fan of Rodney's, so he's not surprised by the recent turn of events.

While Rodney and Trina try to work through the situation, Rodney won't let life get dull. He's not afraid to honor his bet from Barry and walk into a department store naked. Not afraid to take credit for the birthday flowers someone else sent his wife. Not afraid to get between his fighting boys. And he's not afraid to face down an unhappy patron at the local bar where he does his comedy act who wants her money back, claiming Rodney didn't make her laugh.

"Rodney" stars Rodney Carrington as Rodney Hamilton, Jennifer Aspen as Trina Hamilton, Amy Pietz as Charlie, Nick Searcy as Barry, Oliver Davis as Jack Hamilton and Matthew Josten as Bo Hamilton.

Guest starring are Mac Davis as Carl, Jon Reep as Gerald Bob, Charles C. Stevenson, Jr. as Wal-Mart Greeter, Eddie Montgomery (of the award-winning country music group, Montgomery Gentry) as Mike, John Marshall Jones as Burt, Cheryl Felicia Rhoads as Wanda, Matthew Frauman as Tim, Michael Patrick McGill as man and Celeste Frazier as woman.

Ric Swartzlander ("Ellen," "Hidden Hills") is the creator and executive producer of the half-hour comedy series. David Himelfarb ("My Wife and Kids") is the executive producer. "Rodney" tapes at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, CA, and is from Touchstone Television.

"Rodney" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG,D,L,V parental guideline.