Megan Mullally possibly to start a weekday talk show when W&G ends

[NASHMAN]

from thefutoncritic.com
5/3/05

UNTITLED MEGAN MULLALLY PROJECT (Syndication, New!) - Emmy-winning "Will & Grace" star Megan Mullally is reportedly close to pacting with NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution to host a syndicated talk show for the company beginning in the fall of 2006. It's understood the seven-figure pact will work around Mullally's production schedule on "Will & Grace" even if it returns for the 2006-07 season. No specific details about the project were mentioned, other than it will showcase Mullally's personality as well as her comedy and music skills. The actress and NBC Universal reps are said to be searching for potential showrunners for the talk show.

[Janet McFarland]

I would definitely watch any show of Megan's

[iluvjackandkaren]

let's leave the talk shows to oprah and ellen.

[Moondance]

I'd love to see Megan do a talk show! lol Especially if she sings!

[NASHMAN]

Officially confirmed today 5/31/05

Tuesday, May 31, 2005
MEGAN MULLALLY SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL WITH NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION TO HOST NATIONALLY SYNDICATED TALK SHOW
Released by NBC Universal Television Studios


MEGAN MULLALLY SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL WITH NBC UNIVERSAL TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION TO HOST NATIONALLY SYNDICATED TALK SHOW

“Will & Grace” Star Coming to Local Stations In Fall 2006

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- May 31, 2005 -- NBC Universal Television Distribution has signed Emmy Award-winning “Will & Grace” star Megan Mullally to an exclusive deal to host a nationally syndicated talk show, it was announced today by Jeff Zucker, President NBC Universal Television Group, Frederick Huntsberry, Executive Vice President, NBC Universal Television Distribution and Barry Wallach, President, NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

Mullally’s daily, one-hour show will be sold to local TV stations for a fall 2006 debut and originate from Los Angeles, Ca.

"Megan is a fantastic performer. A great actor and a great communicator, as all of her fans know,” says Zucker. "Those skills will make her a great new addition to the daytime playing field. And I could not be more excited to have Megan still on the team."

"Megan was destined to have her own daily show," says Frederick Huntsberry, Executive Vice President, NBC Universal Television Distribution. "Some of her most memorable and funny moments have recently come from her guest appearances on talk shows and hosting shows like 'Saturday Night Live' and ' The Late Show with David Letterman.' This new platform will allow her to showcase her myriad talents on a daily basis."

“We are thrilled that Megan is going to bring her unique sensibility to daytime television,” says Wallach. “She is one of the most talented people in television-funny, entertaining and truly engaging. We believe Megan will be a major part of the syndication landscape for years to come.”

“I’m hosting a what?” said Mullally. “Oh, okay. Well, if I am, I want it to be different and I want the viewers to play an active role and actually get something out of watching it. I think it will be fun. Jeff Zucker is going to play drums in the band.”

Mullally can be seen weekly in her Emmy Award-winning role as socialite “Karen Walker” on NBC’s “Will & Grace,” which was just renewed for the 2005-2006 season.

Through “Will & Grace,” Mullally has won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series (2000), an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a TV Series (2001), and three Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor is a Comedy Series (2002-04).

Mullally is a frequent guest on other talk shows, including, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” and “The View.” She has hosted “Saturday Night Live” and “The Late Show with David Letterman” and recently interviewed Madonna for a VH1 special.

Mullally made her television series debut with Elaine Stritch and Ellen Burstyn on “The Ellen Burstyn Show.” She then appeared in regular roles on various series such as “My Life and Times” and “Rachel Gunn, R.N.” She also appeared as a guest star on series such as “Seinfeld,” “Frasier,” “Just Shoot Me!” and “China Beach,” among others. She appeared opposite Stanley Tucci as Walter Winchell’s wife in Paul Mazursky’s award-winning HBO television biopic “Winchell” and recently starred opposite Juliet Stevenson in Lifetime’s “The Pact.”

Mullally appeared in the feature film “Anywhere But Here” and starred in “Everything Put Together,” which was directed by Marc Forster (“Monster’s Ball,” “Finding Neverland”) and was an entry in the 2000 Sundance Film Festival’s main competition.

Mullally made her Broadway debut in the 1994 revival of “Grease” with Rosie O’Donnell. She received an Outer Critic’s Circle Award nomination for her performance as “Rosemary” in the Broadway revival of “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” opposite Matthew Broderick.

Her Los Angeles theater credits include “The Berlin Circle” at The Evidence Room Theater, for which she won the 2000 Backstage West Garland Award for Best Lead Actress in a Play and the LA Weekly Award for Best Leading Female Performance. Mullally, has also appeared in “Mayhem” at The Evidence Room, as well as a variety of plays and musicals in both Chicago and Los Angeles.

Mullally is also the lead singer and founder of the band Supreme Music Program. The band, which has released two CD’s, has recently performed at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The Seattle Symphony and Chicago’s Goodman Theater.

About NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. The NBC Universal Television Distribution division is responsible for the global distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television throughout the world. This includes distribution of current and library film and television product, including formats and non-scripted programming, in the pay, free, and basic markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs and theatrical and TV movie packages.

Current and upcoming first-run strip syndicated programming at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution includes Martha, Access Hollywood, Blind Date, The Jane Pauley Show, The Jerry Springer Show, Maury and Starting Over. Current and upcoming first-run weekly syndicated programming includes The Chris Matthews Show, The George Michael Sports Machine, Rebecca's Garden, The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo, Your Total Health and the off-network distribution of Crossing Jordan, Fear Factor, Providence, Law & Order and many more series.

[jayman75]

I can't wait to see it. I hope they build on her musical talent as well as her interviewing skills. I've seen her do several interviews, and I think she'll surprise a lot of people with her talent.