Ruben Studdard on 'Related by Family'

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Fox's midseason sitcom "Related by Family" is taking cue from "American Idol," or at least, taking a couple of its stars, Zap2it.com said Wednesday.

Season two champ Ruben Studdard and one of his fellow finalists, Kimberly Caldwell, will appear on an early episode of the show, which began production this week, producer Paramount said.

"Related by Family" stars Amy Yasbeck ("Wings") and Zachary Knighton ("The Prince and Me") as mother and stepson in a blended family.

Studdard and Caldwell will play mall food-court workers who sing about the food they prepare and, thus, massively irritating Laz (Knighton), his friend Fred (Matthew Finn) and the rest of the workers at their hot dog joint.

Related by Family" is tentatively scheduled to premiere in January, where it will air Wednesday evenings.