SAY WORD! CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER STARS IN A NEW SITCOM!

Black family comedies, a once-thriving TV species that's now nearly extinct, will get a lifeline in June when TV Land launches the new series "Have Faith" starring Cedric the Entertainer.

Cedric plays an R&B star named Boyce "The Voice" Ballentine who becomes a preacher. Niecy Nash plays his wife Lolli.

Clips shown to TV critics here Saturday suggest neither Boyce nor Lolli will be shy and retiring.

Cedric said it's a natural role for him, because the skills required for a preacher "are very similar" to many of the skills required for standup comedy.

Besides his own preaching, he said he also will do his own singing on the show.

He introduced the Boyce character on the TV Land hit "Hot In Cleveland," and it was so popular that Cedric and creator/writer Suzanne Martin developed this spinoff.

Betty White, one of the stars of "Cleveland," makes a crossover appearance in an early episode of "Have Faith."

"Hot in Cleveland" itself has been picked up for a 24-episode fourth season, which launches in the fall.

"Have Faith" marks Cedric's return to the sitcom world. He starred on "The Steve Harvey Show" on the WB in the 1990s.

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