Expect Bawdy Humor in Tonight's Chelsea Debut

If you were worrying that a Chelsea Handler sitcom on network TV would tame the bawdy comedian, you can stop. Tonight's NBC debut of Are You There, Chelsea? features bartender Chelsea, played by Laura Prepon, behind bars for drunk driving, where she prays (to vodka) and promises to change her life. No, not to quit drinking ... just to relocate within walking distance of the watering hole. The show also includes the sex term "lady wood," the Los Angeles Times notes.

"I have no problem arguing for good jokes," says E! late-night host Handler, who serves as a writer, executive producer, and guest star for the new sitcom. "The show is salty—it needs to be. It's not what I get away with on cable, but it's definitely edgy." And NBC is behind her: "We have to be judicious," but Handler is given a lot of freedom, says a VP. "She has a strong, distinctive point of view ... Her fans will be able to see that her handprints are on the scripts and on the screen." (More Chelsea Handler stories.)