At long last, two huge names in comedy — one a recent favorite, one an industry legend — will make their triumphant returns to series television, with Amy Poehler and Carol Burnett teaming up for a new ABC sitcom.
Variety reports that the as-yet-untitled series focuses on “a family who can only live in the house of their dreams if they live with the current owner, an actress played by Burnett, until she dies.” The project from Universal Television (the production company behind some of our favorite shows, including “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “30 Rock,” among many, many others) was reportedly so popular that it prompted a bidding war between several different networks, with ABC coming out on top.
And who could blame broadcasters for getting excited? It’s not every day that an icon like Burnett teams up with a beloved comedienne like Poehler for a network sitcom.
This will mark Poehler’s first time as a series regular since “Parks and Rec” wrapped in 2015 (though honestly, it feels like it’s been longer). Burnett has been a familiar presence on television screens for more than five decades, cementing her legendary status with her Emmy-winning turn on “The Carol Burnett Show,” as well as appearing in dozens of series guest starring roles (most recently on “Hawaii Five-0,” “Hot in Cleveland,” and “Glee”). Poehler and Tina Fey presented Burnett with the Screen Actors Guild lifetime achievement award earlier this year.
In addition to co-starring in this new series, Poehler will also co-produce, alongside veteran executive producer Michael Saltzman (“Murphy Brown,” “Mad Men,” “Halt and Catch Fire”). No word yet on when the show may hit TV screens, but ABC has already made a commitment to shoot a pilot. Stay tuned.
[via: Variety]
Photo credit: Ron Wolfson/Invision/AP
