Sitcom 'Young Rock' based on Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, debuts Tuesday

 

Every legend has a beginning. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars in Young Rock, a larger-than-life family comedy based on outrageous stories of the superstar's youth. 

This coming-of-age journey highlights the unforgettable moments and incredible relationships thrugh three stages of his life, from pre-adolecense, to teenager to young adult starting out on a career.

What the journey that took Dwayne from ordinary kid to extraordinary superstar – revealing he’s more like us than we know.

Co-created by Nahnatchka Khan and Dwayne Johnson, the series will be executive produced by Khan and Jeff Chiang, the team that brought us Fresh Off the Boat, another coming-of-age sitcom.  

Young Rock is the third situation comedy depicting the coming-of-age of AAPI youngsters. Besides Fresh Off the Boat, which ended after seven seasons, Netflix's Never Have I Ever is about an Indian American young woman and based on Mindy Kaling's teen years.

​Khan and Chiang co-wrote the pilot. Johnson will appear in each episode, and his formative years will be the series' focus and inspiration. The series premieres Tuesday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. on NBC.

Three different Polynesian actors will portray Johnson in flashbacks in three different stages of his life: Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant and Uli Latukefu.

As co-writer and producer of the show, it has allowed Johnson to reflect on his past.  He’s come to realize the challenges provided the opportunity for real growth.

“It became an anchoring factor in my struggle and my determination to, quite frankly, not be a victim when, again, we were evicted (from housing) when I was 13 or 14,” he said. 

As he worked with Khan to find the right approach to the show, “I did know in my heart the most important thing was to be authentic and to be OK with ripping some stories open and ripping some past open.”

Khan said working Johnson has been easy because the star wasn't afraid to let his life be scrutinized. 

“He really wanted to go there and show the struggle, that it hasn’t been a straight line to the top for him,” Khan told the Associated Press. “He’s been knocked down a lot and he’s had to pivot off what he thought was his dream and find a new dream, a new path. Being able to explore those kinds of moments in a comedy are really important.”

Thanksgiving Day Parade floats The Rock's balloon into history

For those of you who didn't get up early enough on Thanksgiving Day to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, you missed the first Samoan American balloon in the annual event ushering in the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season.

The balloon advertised Young Rock, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's upcoming TV series on NBC set to debut in February next year.

The float features everything including Johnson's now-iconic haircut, his chain necklace and the fanny pack he can be seen wearing in a photo loved by his legions of fans.

The upcoming autobiographical series will -- as its name suggests -- tell the story of Johnson during his childhood years. The sitcom stars Bradley Constant and Uli Latukefu, who will play the 15-year-old Johnson, while Latukefu will portray him as a young adult.

Before taping began, Johnson, a prolific social media star, posted: "A comedy series about my wild and often unbelievable childhood and crazy teen years," he continued. "Before you understand where I’m comin’ from, you gotta understand where I came from. I’ve never done anything like this before. This one’s special and I think you’re gonna like it. Life’s unpredictable journey... Let’s shoot."

Johnson, who was born in Hayward, Calif. spent his teenage years in Hawaii. He is of Samoan and Black heritage.

Johnson, one of the highest paid A-listers, is the producer of the NBC series along with Nahnatchka Khan, who turned Fresh Off the Boat into a hit.