Ausiello Scoop: Megan Mullally Joins Bad Mother - Ausiello Report

Megan Mullally by Jemal Countess/WireImage.com

This just in: Emmy-winner Megan Mullally has officially signed on to play Alicia Silverstone's mama in ABC's new fall comedy Bad Mother's Handbook. Mullally had been linked to the project for weeks, but I'm told the deal just closed.

The series, which will receive an official pickup tomorrow at ABC's upfront presentation, centers on a 32-year-old woman (Silverstone) juggling care of her 16-year-old daughter (Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat) and her 48-year-old mother (Mullally).

Bad Mother's Handbook reps Mullally's first major TV gig since Will & Grace left the airwaves two years ago. Unless you count her eponymous talk show. But for her sake, let's not.

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Posted by

Michael Ausiello

May 12, 2008 8:56 PM

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This is kind of old news, but the casting is so good it's almost enough to make me forgive Alicia Silverstone for backing out of HIMYM. That and Sarah Chalke has been pretty great.
Posted by somethingreal81 May 12, 2008 9:27 PM Report Abuse

I live on the west coast so forgive me if I'm out of the loop. Has Megan already finished her stint on Young Frakenstein??
Posted by 525600min May 12, 2008 10:30 PM Report Abuse

I adore Megan Mulally but I think its going to be really hard to see her as anything but Karen. That character was just so definitive...but I will def. give this show a shot!
Posted by jppuertorico85 May 12, 2008 10:48 PM Report Abuse

I just saw Megan on Broadway 2 Sundays ago and she was fantastic and looked like she lost some pounds. I rather look at her than Silverstone. I never thought she was that attractive or sexy. Why the fuss over her? Still upset that "Cane" was probably cancelled. Glad that Boston Legal gets another season.
Posted by trombone May 13, 2008 1:32 AM Report Abuse

Why does a 48 year old woman need to be taken care of?
Posted by lorakeet May 13, 2008 9:50 AM Report Abuse

"I adore Megan Mulally but I think its going to be really hard to see her as anything but Karen." ~jppuertorico85

I dunno, I thought the same thing about JLD and that she was always going to be "Elaine" to me. But that is no longer the case. She's definitely "Old Christine" to me now.

I think Megan can do the same. Though, it is entirely possible that Megan playing a "bad mom" in this new series, she could easily channel some Karen into the new character. After all, Karen wouldn't have been the best mom in the world either. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Posted by RachelScribbles

May 13, 2008 10:06 AM

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Megan will probably seem different because she won't use Karen Walker's voice. I remember she once said she turned down Ellen's part on Finding Nemo because they wanted her to use the Karen voice, which she wanted to keep only for that character.
Posted by breakdown May 13, 2008 10:27 AM Report Abuse

Good for Megan, although it's kind of too bad she'll be leaving Young Frankenstein. I saw it a couple of weeks ago and she's fantastic in that role.
Posted by kathleen02 May 13, 2008 10:45 AM Report Abuse

Can't wait for this show, I love all 3 of the actresses. I just hope that this won't keep Alicia from guesting on HIMYM.
Posted by Leah May 13, 2008 11:54 AM Report Abuse

This is GREAT news!! I absolutely love Megan Mullally, and I'll be thrilled to see her on another series!! I still watch the reruns of Will and Grace because she was so FANTASTIC!!! I hope this show is a big hit for her and all of the other actors included!! Good for you Megan!!
Posted by lyndafuller May 13, 2008 2:08 PM Report Abuse

Ummm...ABC announced its fall schedule today, and I didn't see Bad Mother's Handbook on the schedule. What's the story?
Posted by sparky54 May 13, 2008 2:36 PM Report Abuse

ABC has a bunch of comedy pilots waiting for a possible midseason slot. Steve McP mentioned it at the Upfronts, not sure this is one of the shows though.
Posted by abbeyroad21 May 13, 2008 2:53 PM Report Abuse

Mullally's not old enough to follow in Kelly Bishop's footsteps. -- Rob
Posted by ShutUpRob May 13, 2008 3:21 PM Report Abuse

Alicia Silverstone. Megan Mullaly. Alia Shawkat. I'm watching. When do I set the DVR for?
Posted by alexa1018 May 13, 2008 4:19 PM Report Abuse

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