'Poppa's House' Stars Call New CBS Comedy the 'Most Affectionate' Set They've Ever Been On (Exclusive)

For decades, the family has been the cornerstone of the sitcom genre. Actors have spent countless hours playing spouses, siblings, parents, and children, and have subsequently grown into a real-life family off-set as well. Poppa's House , one of CBS' new fall comedies, has a unique spin on it, though, as father/son duo Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans, Jr. bring their real-life relationship to the screen for the first time.

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Premiering Oct. 21 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, Poppa's House takes a happily divorced man Poppa (Wayans Sr.) and shakes up his status quo, as his son Junior (Wayans Jr.) and family move in next door. Ahead of the series premiere, you can check out an exclusive preview of the show with many of its stars in the video below.

"In real life, our language that we speak to each other is comedy," Wayans Sr. says in the clip. Wayans Jr. affirms, adding, "Sometimes he'll just call me, just to make me laugh really hard, and then hang up on me."

For Essence Atkins , who has spent the past 25 years working on sitcoms like Smart Guy , Half & Half , and Are We There Yet? , the familial dynamic makes it an entirely unique experience from everything she's done before. "This is extra special, because we're actually working with a family," she says.

"And I feel like we have become a part of the family as well," adds Tetona Jackson , who plays Junior's wife Nina.

Related: Damon Wayans Jr. Talks Expanding His Family Dynasty with Raid the Cage

Given the impressive volume of work from the two leads, which includes In Living Color , My Wife and Kids , New Girl , and Happy Endings , there are sure to be laughs abound. Wendy Raquel Robinson teases there's a surprising amount of improv in the series, calling it a "comedy masterclass." But amidst the jokes, the series makes sure to have heart, as Poppa's House puts typical familial issues front and center.

" That was very important for us to show Black love that's really working," Wayans Jr. says. His dad adds, "We're gonna make you laugh, and we're gonna make you feel."

Indeed, it seems the sentimentality expands off-screen as well, with star Geoffrey Owens calling this "the most affectionate, supportive, encouraging environment I've ever been on." It's safe to say, though the Wayans clan entered Poppa's House with plenty of family, it's already gained a lot more.

Check out our exclusive preview of Poppa's House above. The series premieres Monday, Oct. 11 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

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