Louis-Dreyfus Tries 'Ellie' Once More

By Stephen M. Silverman

Wednesday March 12, 2003 01:00 PM EST

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The blink-and-you-missed-it Julia Louis-Dreyfus sitcom "Watching Ellie" is about to be seen again -- albeit in a different format.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, last year's beleaguered NBC sitcom starring the "Seinfeld" alum, 41, will return for a six-episode run on Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. following "Frasier," starting April 15. It will replace the ailing sitcom "A.U.S.A.," starring Scott Foley.

But viewers shouldn't expect the same "Ellie." The show was last seen in April 2002, when it fizzled in the ratings after a strong premiere that drew nearly 17 million viewers.

In its previous incarnation, "Ellie" starred Louis-Dreyfus as a harried lounge singer and took place in real time -- with a running clock onscreen to remind viewers. The show was shot with a single camera, giving it a distinctive static feel.

This time, there will be several cameras and the action will take place in front of a live audience, like many other sitcoms. Also, says the Reporter, producers have cut the number of scenes that take place in the jazz club where Ellie works.

NBC Entertainment president Jeff Zucker told the trade paper, "I found myself laughing out loud at these (new) episodes," adding that the revamped "Ellie" will still keep "a few single-camera elements" " but will now have "a much quicker pace."