ABC will not be moving forward with its plans to produce a multi-camera sitcom starring Alec Baldwin (30 Rock, Glengarry Glen Ross), Kelsey Grammer (Boss, Frasier) and Alec Mapa (You Don’t Mess With The Zohan, Doom Patrol), according to The Hollywood Reporter. The untitled half-hour comedy was created by Chris Lloyd (Modern Family) and Vali Chandrasekaran (Trophy Wife), both of whom had already nurtured working relationships with the stars. Lloyd was the showrunner for six seasons of Frasier, and prior to his scripting stint on Modern Family, Chandrasekaran worked in the 30 Rock writer’s room.
The show would have allegedly explored the friendships and relationships of a trio of older men– Channing (Baldwin), London (Grammer) and Andre (Mapa): “Three men who were roommates in their twenties… reunite decades later for one more run at the lives they’ve always wanted,” via Variety. The pilot was directed by living legend James Burrows (Taxi, Friends), according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Lloyd and Chandrasekaran’s creation was handed a full series order in November 2020, via The Hollywood Reporter. Not long after, ABC was subject to reshuffle of its top-level personnel that impacted the series’ chances at a pickup, Deadline reports. Karey Burke (Go On, Miss Guided), who had previously headed up ABC Entertainment, was transferred to 20th Television, where she is now president, as reported by Variety. Meanwhile, Hulu originals exec Craig Erwich (The Handmaid’s Tale, Pen15) was enlisted to handle the duties previously held by Burke, according to Deadline. The higher-ups in ABC’s new regime allegedly elected to renege on the network’s promise of straight-to-series order after viewing the finished pilot, as reported by Variety.
For those still hoping to see Baldwin, Grammer and Mapa’s onscreen team-up, the chance of its pickup reportedly still exists. Burke’s team at 20th Television is shopping the pilot around to a variety of other outlets, according to Deadline. In the meantime, the series’ stars will continue to work on their individual projects. Baldwin plans to bring his dramatic acting chops to Peacock original series based on the Wondery podcast Dr. Death, a chronicle of real-life medical malpractice cases. Grammer recently agreed to a Frasier reboot for ViacomCBS streaming platform Paramount Plus. Mapa co-hosts VH1’s official RuPaul’s Drag Race podcast, as well as the mental health-themed podcast Hot Mess alongside psychotherapist Matthew Dempsey.
Baldwin turned 63 on April 3. Mapa celebrated the occasion on his Instagram by posting a snapshot of his co-star from his younger days.