Somehow we missed this when Variety first reported on it last Sunday, but ABC is close to landing a new Darren Star-produced comedy project starring Jenna Elfman and written by bestselling Australian novelist Matthew Reilly. The single-camera comedy LITERARY SUPERSTAR, slated to begin filming this fall after Elfman gives birth to her second child, will have her playing a book publicist who's intensely loyal to her clients. When budget cuts threaten her publishing house, she stands up to the corporate suits -- and successfully lobbies for the right to continue working with smaller, quirkier authors.

Which, you know, just happens a whole lot in real corporate publishing life. But if the show goes ahead - not a no-brainer, considering how badly the Heather Graham comedy EMILY'S REASONS WHY NOT flopped for ABC in 2006 - SUPERSTAR could be a good vehicle for books since it purports to feature a different author each week. We'll see what actually transpires, of course...

After looking at the Variety article, Ron's not sure whether "focusing on different authors each week" means the show will have actual authors as guests (which could be cool, like that Tony Robbins cameo that kicks off Shallow Hal) or just random guest stars playing authors. But he sees no reason the show can't be at least as good as Stacked, either way.