Sherri Shepherd might be pulling double duty.
Lifetime has ordered a pilot for an untitled multicamera comedy to star the comedian and co-host of “The View.”
The project, loosely based on Shepherd’s experiences, originally was prepared for the CW during the 2007-08 development season. Dave Flebotte penned the script, about a woman who contends with her husband’s infidelity and his illegitimate child when she allows the child and mother to move in with them.
Flebotte executive produced the project from ABC Studios with ABC Studios-based producers Nina Wass and Gene Stein.
After the comedy didn’t go at the CW, the script went to Lifetime, which is half-owned by ABC Studios’ parent company, Disney.
Wass and Stein will executive produce the pilot for Lifetime, with ABC Studios no longer involved. Flebotte is expected to do some rewrites and possibly executive produce the pilot if his current duties as co-executive producer on ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” permit.
Shepherd follows in the footsteps of another morning talk-show host, Kelly Ripa, who juggled duties on “Live With Regis and Kelly” and the ABC sitcom “Hope and Faith” for three seasons.
Shepherd’s series credits include a recurring role on “30 Rock” and a co-starring role on the ABC multicamera comedy “Less Than Perfect,” also executive produced by Wass and Stein.
Lifetime has become a safe haven for multicamera sitcoms, which are having a hard time on broadcast TV outside of CBS.
The cable network recently renewed its first original sitcom, “Rita Rocks,” for a second season and enjoys strong ratings for repeats of “Reba.”
