NBC On 'Are You There, Chelsea?': Not Afraid Of Chelsea Handler's 'Vodka'

PASADENA, Calif. -- NBC's entertainment chief insists that it wasn't squeamishness over booze that got "vodka" dropped from the television version of Chelsea Handler's memoir.

Robert Greenblatt said Friday that the 2008 book's title, "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea," was just too long. Initially, NBC considered just calling the show "Chelsea" but settled instead on "Are You There, Chelsea?" and it debuts on the network next Wednesday.

"There was no mandate from anyone saying don't put vodka in the title of the show," the entertainment president said.

Talk to the author, though, and that's not so clear. Handler said in a telephone conference call last month that "although there is plenty of drinking in the show, you can't have it in the title."

On Friday, Handler joked that "not everyone is into alcohol as much as I am." She said that "this is not cable, this is network" and said taking "vodka" out of the title could broaden the appeal of the show to include people who aren't big drinkers.

Handler has a part-time role in the show. Instead of playing the character Chelsea, she plays her born-again Christian sister. Laura Prepon of "That `70s Show" portrays Chelsea.

The Chelsea character, described by NBC as a "sexually dynamic advanced drinker," is jailed for driving under the influence of alcohol early in the show's history, according to a clip shown to reporters Friday.

"In real life I got a DUI once," Handler said. "I haven't gotten one since."

Handler appears in seven of the 13 episodes ordered by NBC. The comic, with her own late-night show on E! Entertainment, said she was too busy to do much more.

"It's a dream come true to have someone else portray me," she said, "because I've been living this life, and I'm over me."

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Comments

[whitneymuse]

02:02 PM on 02/02/2012

Something is wrong with this show; loved Prepon in That '70s Show, have not read Handler's book, and watched the first show; only made it through 1/2 of show #2 (could tell it was heading to the same problems as show #1...I wanted to like the show because of Prepon, but it needs some other writers.

[whitneymuse]

01:57 PM on 02/02/2012

The initital show was not funny; tried again the following week and it was more of the same (not funny)...Tuned into the show because of Prepon and perhaps I'm not getting it because have not read the book this was from which it is derived....
Admit I only made it through 1/2 of episode #2 because it was heading into the category of a "waste of my time."
Hope Prepon gets better material.

[Greg Ranzoni]

04:49 AM on 01/13/2012

This is funny, i've read nothing but bad reviews posted BEFORE the show even aired, i saw it, i loved it, thought it was hilarious.

[Soft Robot]

09:47 PM on 01/08/2012

It will suck harder than Chelsea had to get on TV.

[morahmom]

07:24 PM on 01/08/2012

Just to let you know, you are plagiarizing the title of this show. Many years ago, Judy Blume wrote a book called, Are you there God, it's me Margaret." So, once again you are showing how little originality NBC has. I don't know if Judy Blume would sue you but i would if I was here.

[nondiplome]

04:58 AM on 01/09/2012

Judy Blume knows all about it. She's a fan of Chelsea's.

[Greg Ranzoni]

04:46 AM on 01/13/2012

it's called parody and satire

[LeeLoPink]

07:13 PM on 01/08/2012

I hope this show is a hit. Chelsea is hilarious!

[Matthew J Bailey]

03:44 PM on 01/08/2012

First Karla and now this. Laura Prepon should fire her manager. Other than a wonderful guest spot on Castle, she's wasted her career.

[Whitney Wonders]

03:57 PM on 01/08/2012

Agree. I love Laura Prepon and would really like to see her in something worth watching.

[storm1944]

02:09 PM on 01/08/2012

I saw this PIG once and nevr again.No talent and only knows how to drink and call people names. I heard the one where Jennifer Aniston ahd her go after Angie Jolie and turst me it was not funny. She thinks it takes talent to call people the "C" word? To make fun of children? I have nev r like her and now have no time for her bff Jen Aniston. AFter reading all the crap these 2 women have pulledthey make me sick and will boycot any and products and charites they endorse and that endorses them. They are both nasty,

[walkaway]

02:50 PM on 01/08/2012

These are actors on TV.

[truthisugly]

06:19 PM on 01/08/2012

I honestly didn't read more than a couple of common sense comments on Handler until you. She does do Aniston's dirty work, by bad mouthing Jolie and even her innocent kids and no one remembers Aniston is dating a man who was living with a woman for 20 years until he met her. Brad as well as Aniston were unhappy so they broke up and they both moved on. COMMON SENSE

[lilbit4368]

01:20 PM on 01/08/2012

I have to drink vodka to be able to tolerate her. Don't think she's funny.

[Truwriter]

12:49 PM on 01/08/2012

I shelled out a hundred bucks to see Chelsea in concert. I am unhappy that it cost me that much to see a hopeless drunk slobber on the stage, trying desparately to make it through enough of the show so they did not have give the money back. You wanted to just go hug her and get her some help. She is the next celeb after Charlie Sheen most likely to die in her own puke. By the time someone finally came out and got her most of the audience had gone and those left were people like me unable to turn away from the train wreck she is.

[eastadam]

02:40 AM on 01/08/2012

ABC needs to bring back CougerTown ASAP. Stupid name (creator admits that) but hilarious show.
Penny Can!!

[eastadam]

02:38 AM on 01/08/2012

Laura Prepon was SO much prettier as a redhead. When she bleach her hair in the season 7 opener, I was very disappointed.
That is not the reason why I won't be watching this show. I just don't think it will be any good.

[Zweiback]

12:56 AM on 01/08/2012

NBC's chance to corner the all-important 18-34 Gay Nerd and Overweight White Chick demo...

[Tom Helios]

05:50 AM on 01/08/2012

Not with this show...

[Mailman]

10:25 PM on 01/07/2012

This has disaster written all over it.

[daltrey7]

08:39 PM on 01/07/2012

Don't think the show is going to make it! But I do like Chelsea, think she's funny. Oh and this is from a college educated, financially stable woman!. Like her brand of humor...dry ,straight to the point. Her style of comedy doesn't appeal to everyone!

[Greenblue]

02:21 AM on 01/08/2012

lol @ "Oh and this is from a college educated, financiall­y stable woman!."

[daltrey7]

02:40 AM on 01/09/2012

I was replying to a comment that another person made saying only trailer park trash, and idiots like Chelsea! Not so Greenblue, all walks of life like her!

[bullwinkle94a]

09:39 AM on 01/08/2012

I couldn't disagree more. Handler has zero talent. Her whole career is based on blowing the network owner that gave her the show with her name,and going for shock.

Laura Pepron on the other hand is a talented actress and intelligent woman that deserves better than this.

BTW,somebody needs to tell her she was smoking hot as a redhead,and nothing but blah as a blonde.