A&E has announced that it has ordered Hammertime, a new reality series that will follow the life of rap-star-turned-cautionary-tale MC Hammer.
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The show -- which will follow MC Hammer (whose real name is Stanley Burrell) as he lives with his wife of 23 years and seven children in a modest Oakland, CA house -- is already in production and is scheduled to premiere later this year.
During the 11-episode season, viewers will see Hammer -- whom the network calls a "new age dad" -- attempting to juggle properly raise his children and completing household chores while also trying to manage his website, perform at concerts, give speaking engagements, and run his own music label.
"Each week we'll open our home to viewers to showcase the hectic pace of our lives and our eclectic family, our real life truly is drama and there is no better place than A&E for some Hammertime," said Hammer, who is also serving as one of the show's executive producers.
"MC Hammer is an iconic figure in American pop culture but many people only know him for his music and fashion sense, now A&E takes an unprecedented look behind his larger-than-life personality and into his life as a devoted husband, father and business entrepreneur," said Robert Sharenow, A&E's senior vice president of nonfiction and alternative programming. "Hammertime truly captures the intimate, funny and genuine moments that resonate with our viewers and underscore the essence of our brand."
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Hammer has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide and is a three-time Grammy award winner. However, after making it big in the early 1990's he became better known for his financial woes when he had to declare bankruptcy after blowing his earnings on a lavish lifestyle.
Hammertime time won't Hammer's first reality TV exposure. In 2003, he participated in the first season on The Surreal Life on The CW.
Hammertime is being produced by 3 Ball Productions Inc., with J.D. Roth, Todd Nelson and Hammer serving as executive producers.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio