February 15, 2011 08:56 PM PST

Exclusive: Laura Prepon To Play Chelsea Handler In NBC Comedy Pilot

Get More: Casting News, News, Pilots

Nellie Andreeva

Former That ’70s Show star Laura Prepon will channel racy comedienne Chelsea Handler in Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea, a multicamera comedy pilot for NBC inspired by the late night hostess’ autobiographical book of the same name and relating her life in her 20s.

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The pilot — written and executive-produced by Dharma & Greg co-creator Dottie Zicklin and Julie Larson, and exec-produced by Handler — centers on Chelsea Hanson, a fresh-faced single cocktail waitress who is highly opinionated and open about her love to drink and have sex.

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The project marks a return to the multicamera comedy genre for Prepon, who got her break playing witty and confident teenager Donna Pinciotti on Fox’s That ’70s Show. After that series wrapped in 2006, she co-starred on the ABC drama October Road and has done guest stints on several series including How I Met Your Mother and, most recently, Castle.

Tags: Chelsea Handler, Laura Prepon, NBC

Comments (33)

Geez. Laura Preppon is probably the worst actress ever. How does she keep landing roles?
Comment by Shannon – February 15, 2011 09:04 PM PST Reply To This Post
- I thought the same thing when I read this headline. I can’t say anything about this show, but further, how does she keep landing roles on good shows? She’s mediocre in every way (acting, looks).
  Comment by Lindsey – February 15, 2011 09:07 PM PST Reply To This Post
- Wow, you read my mind. I’m sure she’s nice or something, but I have never seen her even remotely able to act.
  Comment by SL – February 15, 2011 09:50 PM PST Reply To This Post
- I totally agree. She was the weakest link on That 70s Show.
  Comment by Angel – February 16, 2011 02:48 AM PST Reply To This Post
  - I used to think so, too, and when I heard she was playing the actress who would play Nikki Heat on “Castle” I did a massive facepalm. However, she actually turned out to be pretty funny on the episode. She’s clearly improved her skills since “70′s Show.”
    Comment by DL – February 16, 2011 06:21 AM PST Reply To This Post
- Looks sell Duh! thats howm many keep making it.
  Comment by lee – February 17, 2011 07:21 AM PST Reply To This Post
- I am sure glad I am not in showbiz! U guys are BRUTAL! Laura was great on That 70′s Show and I think she is very pretty! Give the girl a chance before you roast her! Does every actress have to look like a Barbie doll? Good luck Laura and you have MANY supporters!
  Comment by Donna Hardin – November 19, 2011 06:51 PM PST Reply To This Post
  - Oh come on Donna, give her a chance? Thats your best argument? What do you call 8 seasons on a nationally broadcasted show?? Thats forever in the television world and every season she was hands down the worst actor out of the entire cast. No one is more obvious about simply reciting lines instead of actually acting than Laura Preppon. I think you are confusing talent and the acting/television industry with hugs and elementary school. And sure Laura has supporters but so does Kim Kardashian and Snookie and if you don’t think those two are horrible then you have no idea how to understand what you watch.
    Comment by Chase – February 4, 2012 01:42 PM PST Reply To This Post
- Honestly, its amazing how no matter who Laura Preppon is acting with, in whatever show it is, she is the only one who is obviously just reading lines. I have no idea how she could possibly have landed this role aside from sleeping with what has to be a record number of executives, or she must have a good dealer that Chelsea Handler is using. And while her breasts are larger than the national average, they are nothing special compared to Hollywood standards, while she is below average in the face department
  Comment by Chase – February 4, 2012 01:21 PM PST Reply To This Post
OMG I’m SOOOOO going to watch this.
Comment by Ashley – February 15, 2011 09:04 PM PST Reply To This Post
Laura is as funny as chelsea. Perfect casting.
Comment by Jo – February 15, 2011 09:19 PM PST Reply To This Post
Too bad Sarah Chalke is on Mad Love. I immediately thought of her when reading this
Comment by Jill – February 15, 2011 09:36 PM PST Reply To This Post
This is a TERRIBLE choice. I absolutely love Chelsea Handler and this is a brilliant idea for a show, but seriously? They couldn’t find a better actress? Someone a little cuter and not so manly? Chelsea is hot now, so I’m sure she was in her 20′s. Come on.
Comment by Laura – February 15, 2011 09:37 PM PST Reply To This Post
Perfect casting! She will be great!
Comment by gonzaga12 – February 15, 2011 10:01 PM PST Reply To This Post
I imagine the show will be as unfunny as Chelsea is on her talk show. The funniest thing she ever said was that she’s 35.
Garmy Strong!
Comment by MaxxFisher – February 16, 2011 05:42 AM PST Reply To This Post
- I couldnt agree more chelsea handler is not even close to funny and the only reason i would watch this is too look at laura prepon who is hot
  Comment by Seth – March 7, 2011 11:40 PM PST Reply To This Post
PERFECT CASTING!!! I WANT TO WATCH IT KNOW!!!
Comment by dfasf – February 16, 2011 07:55 AM PST Reply To This Post
Maybe I’m naive, but, why couldn’t they get Chelsea Handler to play Chelsea Handler? I’d be willing to bet that she’d be a better Chelsea Handler than Laura Prepon…

Excuse me, but do you have any Grey Prepon? (Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)
Comment by Scott Gilbert – February 16, 2011 08:06 AM PST Reply To This Post
- Because Chelsea Handler can’t play a 20 something year old version of herself.
  Comment by Betty – February 17, 2011 07:49 AM PST Reply To This Post
- Well, how much of a stretch could it really be for Chelsea? According to all sources, she turns 36 next week. Laura Prepon turns 31 in March.
  Comment by Bob – February 17, 2011 08:13 AM PST Reply To This Post
  - Chelsea is playing her own big sister on the show.
    Comment by Betty – February 25, 2011 08:20 AM PST Reply To This Post
Perfect choice. I may not have thought so if I hadn’t seen her in Castle. She can totally pull this role off.
Comment by Belinda – February 16, 2011 08:19 AM PST Reply To This Post
Laura Prepon is great. Sorry to see she has to play mediocre rolls to stay in the business.
Comment by jagsag – February 16, 2011 08:49 AM PST Reply To This Post
As usuall so much negativity. I think this is perfect casting and it will show when everyone watches the pilot.
Comment by Scott – February 16, 2011 09:57 AM PST Reply To This Post
i really cant see how this show can be successfull, anyway we’ll see but nbc is not on the road to making things better
Comment by adifferentblog – February 16, 2011 10:19 AM PST Reply To This Post
will they have enough rants about Angelina jOlie on that show to make people watch it?
Comment by adifferentblog – February 16, 2011 10:20 AM PST Reply To This Post
- Yes.
  Comment by Kris – February 16, 2011 01:01 PM PST Reply To This Post
Can’t wait for this show!! Love love love Chelsea,greatest comidienne since Kathy Griffin. Not so sure about Laura Prepon… Hope the show lasts…
Comment by Danielle – February 24, 2011 08:16 PM PST Reply To This Post
Chelsea is an uneducated, trash talking, nasty younger version of Joy Beher. They both look pretty worn out too. Laura Prepon will be just fine in this role. She at least seems intelligent and has some personality. Chuey on this Chelsea.
Comment by dan – February 25, 2011 09:48 AM PST Reply To This Post
I think this is such a great idea! Laura is perfect for this role, she’s funny ad pretty. Can’t wait to watch!
Comment by Anna – May 17, 2011 03:57 PM PST Reply To This Post
How interesting – I’m the exact opposite! I hate Chelsea Handler, but love Laura Prepon. I’ll probably watch just because of her.
Comment by Misty – May 18, 2011 07:37 PM PST Reply To This Post
In Europe(Holland) we like Laura Prepon and consider her to be one of the best american actresses. She plays naturaly, is funny, sexy in a natural way and is not as plastic as the most american barbies.
So .. great choise, although I don’t know that Chelsea!
Comment by wrak – May 20, 2011 06:07 AM PST Reply To This Post
omg she really is great dont ya think and she look alike her too so she would be the perfect person for it
Comment by amber – December 28, 2011 08:06 AM PST Reply To This Post

Exclusive: Laura Prepon To Play Chelsea Handler In NBC Comedy Pilot

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