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http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118027125?refCatId=14
Tim Allen eyes return to ABC
Actor in talks to star in 'Man Up' comedy
By Michael Schneider
Allen
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Tim Allen, who helped turn ABC into an early 1990s ratings powerhouse, could soon be back for an encore at the Alphabet net.
Allen, who's been plotting a TV comeback, is in talks to star in the Jack Burditt comedy "Man Up," which just scored a put pilot order at ABC.
Multi-cam sitcom, from 20th Century Fox TV, centers on a guy "fighting for his manhood in a world of women."
ABC landed the project after a bidding war; CBS was also said to be hot for the show. But given ABC's move back toward family comedies -- not to mention the possibility of ABC vet Allen's involvement -- network entertainment topper Paul Lee fought hard and eventually landed the project.
"I think it could be a good fit for the tone of comedy they're doing over there," said exec producer Shawn Levy. "And they knew it was a competitive environment for this project."
"30 Rock" alum Burditt will write the comedy and exec produce with Marty Adelstein, Levy and Becky Clements. 21 Laps/Adelstein is producing with 20th.
Adelstein once repped Burditt as an agent, while Levy first met the writer after Burditt did a polish onthe pic "Date Night," which Levy produced.
"Man Up" is personal for Adelstein, Levy and Clements: All three exec producers have daughters.
"When we sat down and talked with Jack, it turns out he has an interesting family life," Adelstein said. "Just like us, he has three daughters, as well as a son. … We started talking about what a man's life is like in that world, and laughing about how people use the expression 'man up.'"
"And then we started thinking about Tim Allen and what a great character this might be for him to play," Adelstein said.
Allen hasn't signed on yet -- he'll likely wait to read the script first. But after focusing on feature films in recent years, Allen has been meeting with writers in recent months to make a return to the smallscreen.
Allen most recently lent his voice to "Toy Story 3." His other feature credits include "Wild Hogs" and "The Santa Clause."
Burditt's other credits include "The New Adventures of Old Christine," "I'm With Her," "Just Shoot Me" and "Frasier." Contact Michael Schneider at mike.schneider@variety.com
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118027125?refCatId=14
Tim Allen eyes return to ABC
Actor in talks to star in 'Man Up' comedy
By Michael Schneider
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Tim Allen, who helped turn ABC into an early 1990s ratings powerhouse, could soon be back for an encore at the Alphabet net.
Allen, who's been plotting a TV comeback, is in talks to star in the Jack Burditt comedy "Man Up," which just scored a put pilot order at ABC.
Multi-cam sitcom, from 20th Century Fox TV, centers on a guy "fighting for his manhood in a world of women."
ABC landed the project after a bidding war; CBS was also said to be hot for the show. But given ABC's move back toward family comedies -- not to mention the possibility of ABC vet Allen's involvement -- network entertainment topper Paul Lee fought hard and eventually landed the project.
"I think it could be a good fit for the tone of comedy they're doing over there," said exec producer Shawn Levy. "And they knew it was a competitive environment for this project."
"30 Rock" alum Burditt will write the comedy and exec produce with Marty Adelstein, Levy and Becky Clements. 21 Laps/Adelstein is producing with 20th.
Adelstein once repped Burditt as an agent, while Levy first met the writer after Burditt did a polish onthe pic "Date Night," which Levy produced.
"Man Up" is personal for Adelstein, Levy and Clements: All three exec producers have daughters.
"When we sat down and talked with Jack, it turns out he has an interesting family life," Adelstein said. "Just like us, he has three daughters, as well as a son. … We started talking about what a man's life is like in that world, and laughing about how people use the expression 'man up.'"
"And then we started thinking about Tim Allen and what a great character this might be for him to play," Adelstein said.
Allen hasn't signed on yet -- he'll likely wait to read the script first. But after focusing on feature films in recent years, Allen has been meeting with writers in recent months to make a return to the smallscreen.
Allen most recently lent his voice to "Toy Story 3." His other feature credits include "Wild Hogs" and "The Santa Clause."
Burditt's other credits include "The New Adventures of Old Christine," "I'm With Her," "Just Shoot Me" and "Frasier." Contact Michael Schneider at mike.schneider@variety.com