Kirstie Alley to Play a 'Fat Actress'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Kirstie Alley (search) will take on tabloids, Hollywood and herself in Showtime's "Fat Actress," a reality-comedy series about the life of an overweight celebrity.
Alley proposed the series to the cable channel as a "send-up of her own image as well as Hollywood's obsession with weight and beauty," said Robert Greenblatt, entertainment president for Showtime Networks Inc. (search).
The 53-year-old actress, heavier than when she starred in "Cheers" (search) and "Veronica's Closet" and films including "Look Who's Talking," has been the subject of unflattering photos in supermarket tabloids.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The series is co-created by Alley and Brenda Hampton ("7th Heaven," "Mad About You"); they and Sandy Chanley ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") are the executive producers. Episodes will be based on a story line but largely improvised.
Alley is "so willing to be vulnerable and make fun of herself," Hampton said. "She just has such a great sense of humor, is a brilliant comedian and so smart."
Hampton described the series as an "adult comedy" along the lines of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" with writer-comedian Larry David ("Seinfeld").
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"But it's so different because I think women across the country will identify with her," Hampton said Thursday. "It's difficult to lose weight and find a relationship no matter where you live. It makes it all the more painful when you're in the spotlight."
The half-hour Showtime series, set to begin production this fall, will air sometime next year. Six episodes are planned, Hampton said.