In what would be a blockbuster pairing of sitcom stars, Kelsey
Grammer and Patricia Heaton are in discussions to co-star in a comedy
series, "Action News," created by writer-producers Steven Levitan and
Christopher Lloyd for 20th Century Fox TV.
As of Monday night, there was no deal in place for Grammer or Heaton,
and the talks were ongoing, sources said. The project is said to be set
at a local TV station and revolve around the reuniting of a male and
female anchor team (Grammer, Heaton).
Top showrunners Levitan and Lloyd planted their flag at 20th as writing
and producing partners in July. Sources said the studio intends to nail
down deals with Grammer and Heaton before shopping the script to
prospective buyers. The onscreen star power of Grammer and Heaton
combined with Levitan and Lloyd virtually ensures a bidding skirmish
among networks for the project.
Representatives for 20th and the CAA-repped Grammer and Heaton declined
comment on the project.
Grammer wrapped his 20-year run as Dr. Frasier Crane of "Cheers" and
"Frasier" fame in 2004. He earned four Emmys for his acting work on
"Frasier," on which Lloyd served as a showrunner for most of its
1993-2004 run on NBC. Grammer has been active as a producer in recent
years with the NBC drama "Medium" and UPN/CW comedy "Girlfriends,"
hailing from his Grammnet Prods. banner.
Heaton called it a wrap on nine seasons of CBS' "Everybody Loves
Raymond" in 2005, earning two Emmys for her role as harried wife and
mother Debra Barone. She recently was seen on the ABC miniseries "The
Path to 9/11" and the TNT remake of "The Goodbye Girl."
Levitan created and executive produced the NBC comedy "Just Shoot Me"
and more recently executive produced the Fox/20th Century Fox TV
comedies "Stacked," "Oliver Beene" and "Greg the Bunny." Lloyd's credits
range from NBC's "Wings" to last season's CBS comedy "Out of Practice."
