Madonna transforms into "Marriage Ref" for TV

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Twice-divorced pop star Madonna will take on a new profession -- marriage referee -- when she makes a rare television appearance on an upcoming show from comedian Jerry Seinfeld about feuding couples.

The "Material Girl," who divorced her British movie director husband Guy Ritchie in 2008, will be one of a panel of celebrities on "The Marriage Ref" who will decide which spouse should be declared "winner" of a domestic spat filmed in their own homes.

Madonna is listed along with British comedian Ricky Gervais and American Larry David in an episode to be filmed in New York before a studio audience next week.

The pop superstar, who was previously married to actor Sean Penn, has made few appearances on TV shows that do not involve performances or interviews.

Actors Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, and "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria are also among those expected to make up the rotating celebrity panel on "The Marriage Ref", which debuts on NBC on Feb 28.

"The Marriage Ref" sees the return to TV of the creative talents of the popular star of 1990s U.S. comedy series "Seinfeld".

The light-hearted show is one of the centerpieces of NBC's efforts to revamp its prime-time line-up following the axing of its five nights a week "Jay Leno Show" after just five months.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)