Bette Midler TV series inches nearer

Bette Midler ended her Divine Miss Millennium Tour in Las Vegas in January 2000

March 20, 2000
Web posted at: 3:23 p.m. EST (2023 GMT)

HOLLYWOOD (Reuters) -- Bette Midler's long-anticipated CBS sitcom is one step closer to reality.

Former "Mad About You" executive producer Jeffrey Lane has signed on to create and exec produce the show, which has been in development at Columbia TriStar Television for more than a year.

Tentatively titled "Bette," the half-hour comedy will feature Midler playing a well-known celeb "who looks remarkably like Bette Midler," according to a release from the studio.

The show is in contention for a fall 2000 bow but could also go midseason.

Midler settled on the concept for "Bette" after reviewing series outlines from several scribes.

Lane served as executive producer of Columbia TriStar's "Mad" for three seasons, from 1994 until 1996. His other credits include the Emmy-winning miniseries "The Murder of Mary Phagan" and numerous specials such as the Tony Awards and the Kennedy Center Honors.

Copyright 2000 / Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

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