Carol Burnett will be returning to television in a new comedy series, The Hollywood Reporter announced Thursday. The project was sold to ABC in a very competitive situation, sources say.
Comedic legend Burnett is slated to star in an untitled multi-camera comedy from Amy Poehler, who will executive produce.
The project is centered around a family who gets the chance to buy their dream home on the condition that they live with the current owner, an older actress (Burnett), until she dies.
Universal Television is behind this project and Michael Saltzman, who grew up idolizing Burnett, will pen the script for the comedy and executive produce. Saltzman, ripped by Vision Art Management, has credits that include Mad Men, The Middle, Murphy Brown and Wings. This comedy with marks his return to multi-cam.
Poehler will executive produce via Universal TV-based Paper Kite alongside Brooke Posch, Dave Becky and Michael Pelmont.
Burnett, repped by ICM Partners and Lurie & Zepada, will make her return to acting in this ABC comedy. Over her legendary and laugh-filled career, her projects have included The Carol Burnett Show, Mad About You and Carol & Company as well as episodes of Glee and Hawaii Five-O. She has also a twenty-two-time Emmy nominee, having won three.
Poehler previously teamed with Tina Fey this year to present Burnett with the SAG Lifetime Achievement award and both discussed how much Burnett has influenced them. Here is the video: