ABC wants 'Samantha' to go multi-camera

[Brian Damage]

If ABC's comedy "Samantha Who" returns for a third season, it will look different.

As a renewal condition for the amnesia comedy starring Christina Applegate, the network has asked the show's producers at ABC Studios to convert the series from single- to multi-camera, slashing $500,000 from its per-episode budget.

The networks have been very cost-conscious this year amid the economic downturn. Additionally, ABC's entertainment chief Stephen McPherson has been looking to get multi-camera comedies back on the network that once dominated the genre with shows like "Roseanne."

Also exploring a switch from single- to multi-camera format is ABC's "Scrubs."

[Stuck In The '70's]

I love it. The more multi-camera sitcoms the better. Maybe this show will actually get funnier. I love CA but I just could never get into this show.

[nota_bene]

Terrible decision. Christina didn't want to do multi-cam when she signed on for the show. ABC needs to leave creative decisions up to the producers instead of holding a gun to their heads if they want to get it renewed.

Multi-camera is not the be all, end all of sitcoms. The show is great as a single-cam and should be left that way.

Edit: Hmm, after reading this article at The Hollywood Reporter, it may not be what we think. It looks like all they're doing is adding a couple of cameras to cut down on production time. Same sets, same single-camera look, just filmed differently. No laugh track. I could definitely get on board with this.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3id8b91cde574aee656a13ddfc458f79bb