Chelsea Handler’s semi-autobiographical new show Are You There Vodka, It’s Me Chelsea has run into some trouble. While That ’70s Show veteran Laura Prepon remains the lead, Natalie Morales, Jo Koy, and Angel Laketa have all been let go.
Are You There Vodka, It’s Me Chelsea has been ordered for a full season, but apparently NBC executives weren’t completely won over by the cast and premise. The three roles will be re-cast and/or re-worked, while the show’s premise and direction is being retooled.
The show is based on the popular 2008 novel of the same name by the stand-up/talk show diva Chelsea Handler. It follows Prepon as a somewhat fictional version of the comic in her mid 20s, waiting tables while trying to gain a foothold in Hollywood. Handler will play her own religious aunt.
Natalie Morales of Burn Notice and Parks and Recreation was set to play Ivory, Handler/Prepon’s best friend. Angel Laketa, who gained notoriety by working late in ER‘s run, was to be a guiding influence as fellow waitress, Shoniqua.
Most puzzling is Jo Koy, a close personal friend of Handler’s who worked on her previous show Chelsea Lately. He leaves behind the role of Mark the bartender/foil.
The ousted actors, Natalie Morales, Angel Laketa and Jo Koy
Replacements are nowhere to be seen, but the remaining cast, including Mark Povinelli, Lauren Lapkus, Lenny Clarke, are safe. The comedy was set to premiere at midseason in 2012, a date that is still presumably valid.
Even though this casting shake-up may appear to shine a negative light on the fledgeling series, recasting is a normal occurrence when a pilot is given a series order. For those looking interested in this new series, remember one thing: Prepon is not to be underestimated. Her timing was proven for years on That 70s Show and more recently Castle, and she’s recognizable for the sitcom set.
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Source: zap2it
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WOW!!! A tv show that hasn’t even made it to televison yet is already getting somewhat rebooted. That’s funny!!!
Not to mention that Chelsea Handler is not someone I would want to see as a television series. She is a wanna be nobody. Its funny that Laura Prepon is much better looking than Chelsea will ever be.
A wannabe nobody?lol Thats a new one. I will say this. Chelsea is really funny and entertaining, and if the comedy works I’m all in. Shes been in stand up and comedy for awhile, so I definitely wouldnt call her a nobody. Shes finally getting her time on the radar, now we will see is it truly worth the time and attention
I loved Angel in ER, I think she would have really made the show a hit. Not sure the show will even make it now. It’s not something I will watch on purpose. Just my opinion.
I’m sorry to hear that Natalie Morales was cut also — I loved her in “Middleman” on ABC Family and sometimes felt that I was the only one watching that very funny Javier de Grilier-Marxuach series.
I had the priviledge of seeing the pilot and I LOVED IT!!! I’m pretty sad that these 3 were let go, I thought they really worked well together in the pilot but I still think the show will be a success. It was truly hilarious and I can’t wait to see more!