Alley inks TV pact with Winfrey's company

Kirstie Alley in a file photo. Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Prods. has signed a development deal with Kirstie Alley for TV projects. It's unclear whether the deal might include a syndicated daytime talk show or a program for Winfrey's new cable channel.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Prods. has signed a development deal with Kirstie Alley for TV projects. It's unclear whether the deal might include a syndicated daytime talk show or a program for Winfrey's new cable channel.

Winfrey helped launch other daytime talk shows, including "Dr. Phil" and "Rachael Ray." Both hosts appeared frequently on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" before getting their own shows.

Alley also has been on multiple episodes of "Oprah," including a November 2006 appearance that generated headlines after she donned a bikini to flaunt her 75-pound weight loss.

Meanwhile, Winfrey's new channel, OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, is set to launch in second-half 2009. It's a joint venture with Discovery Communications.

"I'm very open with what I've been through in my own personal life, and nothing -- I mean nothing -- is off-limits for me to talk about," Alley said. "And I won't lie -- I live a beautiful life. So I hope to bring those elements together to offer something totally fresh for the television audience."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter