Roseanne's back on ABC

Comic cooks up reality gig

By JOSEF ADALIAN

Roseanne

Cutler

Five years after her landmark ABC laffer left the air, Roseanne is returning to the Alphabet web -- but not the way you'd expect.

Feisty comic is set to star in an unscripted reality workplace comedy for ABC. She'll exec produce with documeister R.J. Cutler ("American Candidate") and his fast-growing Actual Reality Prods.

ABC is close to finalizing a 13-episode on-air commitment to the untitled -- and unconventional -- half-hour skein, which is being eyed for a possible summer 2003 bow.

UTA, which reps both Roseanne and Cutler, is packaging the project. Deal is noteworthy not only because it reps the small screen comeback for Roseanne -- last seen in her own syndie gabber -- but also because of her decision to set up the new show at ABC.

Comic's battles with the Alphabet's previous management are near-legend in Hollywood. But whatever ill will may have existed appears gone.

"I'm really, really excited to be back home at ABC," Roseanne said via her rep.

ABC reality guru Andrea Wong seemed equally upbeat about the comic's return, which fits into the net's stated goal of mounting a ratings comeback by returning to its roots.

"We're thrilled to have her back at ABC," she told Daily Variety. "The network is looking for comedies from (talent) with a strong point of view, and clearly Roseanne has a strong point of view. With Roseanne, you're guaranteed funny."

Workplace set

Cutler and others involved in the project are being careful about not giving out too many specifics about the show, but Cutler did say the skein would be "the first reality comedy set in a workplace."

Just what that workplace will be is still being hammered out, though there's been talk of a cooking or talk show fronted by Roseanne. Skein might also follow some of Roseanne's home life, Wong added.

"Without giving away too much, there are many layers to the concept of this show," Cutler said. "Roseanne has a strong vision of what the show will be, but we're still working out the details."

Roseanne came up with the idea for the project and later hooked up with Cutler via their common reps at UTA. Duo then pitched to ABC and a couple of other nets, but the Alphabet "bought it in the room," Wong said.

"How can you pass on Roseanne?" Wong added. "I had heard rumblings that Roseanne was interested in a reality show, so I called UTA and said, 'If she's thinking about it, I want to hear about it as soon as I can.' "

Teeming Reality slate

The new Roseanne skein adds another item to Cutler and Actual Reality's already-packed slate.

Producer has been deluged with media inquiries and civilian interest since news broke of his FX reality skein "American Candidate," which will mount a nationwide search for a potential 2004 presidential candidate (Daily Variety, Sept. 20.)

There's also a reality skein for TNT dubbed "The Residents" that's set to bow soon, as well as one other network project yet to be announced. Cutler is also helming an indie pic about roots rocker Ryan Adams -- his first feature doc since 1996's "A Perfect Candidate."

"Actual Reality has been growing leaps and bounds over the last year," Cutler said. "It's really a lovely situation and opportunity to work with some really terrific talent and collaborators."

Cutler is also repped by Talent Entertainment Group and attorney Jeanne Newman, while Roseanne is managed by Box Entertainment.