Samantha Who?, the little ABC-sitcom-that-could may be looking at a production overhaul if the network decides to stick with it into a third season. The big change would be shifting from the single-camera format it currently uses to a much cheaper multi-camera format. How I Met Your Mother is an example of a show that uses the multi-camera format, albeit without a studio audience, to great creative effect, so Samantha should be able to keep a lot of its quirky charm.

Cost cutting is a huge part of the network's plans this season as they mull over continuing with existing series. If switching to multi-camera on Samantha Who? can save $500,000 per episode, it might be worth doing. Samantha is one of those rare comedies these days that just works. It's funny without being provocative or shocking in anything it does. One could almost argue, but not very convincingly, that it's even good wholesome family entertainment ... with sex and alcohol and stuff.

According to Reuters, Ray Romano is in talks to star in a new comedy series on HBO. The show would be single-camera (no audience) and star Romano as a billionaire who has six months to live. He reportedly pitched the show idea to HBO months ago, but talks between the network and FOX productions have only recently begun. Initial negotiations are for ten episodes. Dennis Klein, co-creator of The Larry Sanders Show, has already been tapped to write the show. It's being executive produced by the Joel Surnow and Bob Cochran, executive producers of 24.

Would you like to see Ray Romano on an HBO series?