Mullally eyes NBC Uni talker
Mullally talker
May 3, 2005
It looks as if "Will & Grace" star Megan Mullally will stay in the NBC Universal family after the end of the acclaimed NBC sitcom, moving from primetime to daytime.
The Emmy-winning actress is in final negotiations with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution to host a talk show aimed for 2006, sources said.
The lucrative pact, said to be in the mid-seven figures, will accommodate Mullally's commitment to "Will & Grace," which was recently picked up for an eighth and probably final season (HR 4/25).
In case the Emmy-winning comedy returns for a ninth season in fall 2006, Mullally is expected to do both the talk show and the sitcom, which is produced by corporate sibling NBC Universal TV Studio.
Meetings are under way with potential showrunners for the talker, which will showcase Mullally's personality as well as her comedy and music skills.
Sources said NBC Universal's syndication division has been aggressively pursuing Mullally in the past few months, with NBC Universal Television Group president Jeff Zucker considered instrumental in making the deal.
Reps for NBC Universal declined comment on the deal Monday.
NBC Universal has a history of keeping its primetime talent in the family with its syndicated shows. This season, it bowed talker "The Jane Pauley Show," hosted by the former "Dateline" and "Today" anchor, but the high-profile entry failed to gain traction with viewers and isn't returning for a second year (HR 3/13).
In addition, Martha Stewart, who is set to be featured in a spinoff version of NBC's "The Apprentice" next season, is prepping with NBC Universal and Mark Burnett a lifestyle strip titled "Martha," set to launch in the fall (HR 2/3).
Mullally's deal marks one of the first for a talk show aimed to bow in 2006. Another personality who has already thrown her hat in the talk show ring for next year is Suze Orman, whose show from Twentieth Television originally was set to bow in the fall but has been pushed back by the distributor, citing a lack of available time periods (HR 2/25).
In addition to the five Emmy nominations and one win in 2000, Mullally's role on "Will & Grace" as Grace's sarcastic, booze-loving assistant Karen Walker has earned her three individual SAG Awards.
Mullally is repped by the Gersh Agency, Untitled Entertainment and attorneys Jamie Mandelbaum and Eric Weissler.
The Emmy-winning actress is in final negotiations with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution to host a talk show aimed for 2006, sources said.
The lucrative pact, said to be in the mid-seven figures, will accommodate Mullally's commitment to "Will & Grace," which was recently picked up for an eighth and probably final season (HR 4/25).
In case the Emmy-winning comedy returns for a ninth season in fall 2006, Mullally is expected to do both the talk show and the sitcom, which is produced by corporate sibling NBC Universal TV Studio.
Meetings are under way with potential showrunners for the talker, which will showcase Mullally's personality as well as her comedy and music skills.
Sources said NBC Universal's syndication division has been aggressively pursuing Mullally in the past few months, with NBC Universal Television Group president Jeff Zucker considered instrumental in making the deal.
Reps for NBC Universal declined comment on the deal Monday.
NBC Universal has a history of keeping its primetime talent in the family with its syndicated shows. This season, it bowed talker "The Jane Pauley Show," hosted by the former "Dateline" and "Today" anchor, but the high-profile entry failed to gain traction with viewers and isn't returning for a second year (HR 3/13).
In addition, Martha Stewart, who is set to be featured in a spinoff version of NBC's "The Apprentice" next season, is prepping with NBC Universal and Mark Burnett a lifestyle strip titled "Martha," set to launch in the fall (HR 2/3).
Mullally's deal marks one of the first for a talk show aimed to bow in 2006. Another personality who has already thrown her hat in the talk show ring for next year is Suze Orman, whose show from Twentieth Television originally was set to bow in the fall but has been pushed back by the distributor, citing a lack of available time periods (HR 2/25).
In addition to the five Emmy nominations and one win in 2000, Mullally's role on "Will & Grace" as Grace's sarcastic, booze-loving assistant Karen Walker has earned her three individual SAG Awards.
Mullally is repped by the Gersh Agency, Untitled Entertainment and attorneys Jamie Mandelbaum and Eric Weissler.
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