You would think that an eight-time Emmy nominee would have better things to talk about than her fluctuating weight. Or at least Kirstie Alley thinks so. The "Cheers" star's battle with public perceptions is at the center of "Fat Actress," a semi-autobiographical comedy in development at Showtime.

The premium cable network has ordered six episodes of "Fat Actress," which will blend the comedy and reality genres. Alley and the rest of the show's cast will work off of a story outline, but most of the dialogue will be improvised.

Alley is serving as co-creator and executive producer on the series, joining "7th Heaven" (and "Mad About You") veteran Brenda Hampton. "Fat Actress" will focus on Alley's quest for work, love and acceptance in Hollywood, as well as her battle with her weight and media awareness of her size.

"Kirstie Alley came to us -- with 24 dozen Krispy Kremes in hand -- and said she was so tired of seeing unflatteringly fat pictures of herself on the cover of The Star that it was time for her to send-up her own image as well as Hollywood's obsession with weight and beauty," says Showtime Entertainment President Robert Greenblatt.

Greenblatt continues, "Kirstie is an incredibly gifted comedian and a beautiful woman [regardless of her size], and we jumped at the chance to go behind the scenes of her life in a unique comedy series format."

A two-time Emmy winner for "Cheers" and the telefilm "David's Mother," Alley is looking forward to beginning production in September for a 2005 premiere.

"Finally a network that feels just like home," she says. "They don't give a damn how much I eat or how many men I sleep with as long as it's on camera."