TBS may give new 'Earl' segs a whirl

Cable network in talks for 13-episode pickup

By CYNTHIA LITTLETON

'My Name Is Earl'

There may be life yet left in "My Name Is Earl."

Twentieth Century Fox TV is in talks with cabler TBS about a possible 13-episode pickup. TBS already carries "Earl" reruns.

The talks for new episodes are said to be in the very preliminary stages, and it's far from certain that a deal will be reached, insiders cautioned.

The laffer starring Jason Lee as a reformed petty thief was axed by NBC in May after four seasons on the Peacock. There was some chatter that the Fox network might pick up the project from its sibling studio.

"Earl" could be a fit with TBS' broad slate of original laffers, including "The Bill Engvall Show," "My Boys," "Meet the Browns" and "10 Items or Less."

Reps for 20th and TBS declined comment.