Robert Gary Ingram
June 9, 2008
Marilyn Chapman Moore
June 11, 2008
Cable network TBS is set to launch its second season of the “Bill Engvall Show” on Thursday at 8 p.m. The comedy, starring Bill Engvall of Blue Collar Comedy Tour fame, also showcases local talent Graham Patrick Martin.
Martin stars as Trent Pearson, a teenage son of Bill Pearson (Engvall), a family counselor who works with dysfunctional families all day long only to return home to much the same.
The situation comedy opened to excellent reviews in its inaugural 2007 season, as more than 4.1 million viewers watched its debut episode. The program set viewer records as the number-one watched original cable episode of all time among adults between 25 and 54 years of age.
Martin hails from Thibodaux and is the 16-year-old son of Cornel and Cindy Graham Martin. The teen’s grandparents are Lincoln Martin Sr. and Alfrances Martin of Golden Meadow and Patricia Graham of Thibodaux.
Also starring in the show is Nancy Travis of “Becker” fame, who plays Bill Pearson’s witty wife, Susan. Trent’s siblings on the show are 18-year-old Lauren, played by Jennifer Lawrence, and 10-year-old Bryan, played by Skyler Gisondo.
The comedy is directed by Jamie Widdoes, who initially worked as an actor, starring as “Hoover” in National Lampoon’s mega hit “Animal House.” More recently, Widdoes has directed more than 300 television episodes, including such well-known hits as “The King of Queens,” “Two and a Half Men” and “According to Jim.”
Engvall said of the show, “One of the things I do in my comedy act is that, as a parent, all you’re basically doing is keeping a lid on things until the kids go off to college or work. I want the show to be a reflection of real life and real issues that kids and parents face every day.”
Martin said that he has really enjoyed playing the role of Trent. “We have a lot in common,” he said. “We both like sports, girls, sleep, girls and sports and we’ve used these themes in several of the episodes.”
The cast of the “Bill Engvall Show” – including local actor Graham Patrick Martin (at far right) returns for a second season on TBS. * Photo courtesy of TBS
