Martin Lawrence is back, this time as executive producer of a new African-American comedy for cable network TV One. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Lawrence will work on 'Love That Girl!' set to star Tatyana Ali ('The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'). The show is written and directed by Bentley Kyle Evans who worked with Lawrence on the hugely successful 'Martin' from 1992-1997.

Described as a sexy comedy about a divorcee who comes back home and begins work at her father's Southern California real estate office, 'Girl' will capitalize on the black comedy revival happening on cable networks like TBS. Shows such as Tyler Perry's 'House of Payne' and 'Meet the Browns' also started off modestly before being nationally distributed by TBS.

TV One, the cable network aimed at African-American viewers, will cover the Democratic National Convention and Barack Obama's nomination, but not John McCain's and the Republican National Convention.

"Obama's nomination as the first black to be a major party presidential nominee is an historic event for African-Americans, so it's important for the network to be there," said Johnathan Rodgers, the network's president and CEO. He continues by stating that while viewers can get convention coverage from any number of networks, they plan to present a uniquely African-American perspective.

I see Rodgers's point. TV One is not a news network and if the network specializes in African-American coverage, then this is pretty much the biggest news story of the century. On the other hand, don't elections require some sort of provision for equal television time? Of course enough networks will be reporting on both conventions to the point that I doubt John McCain will offer any complaints about a lack of equal coverage.