TVSquad

Usually, TBS and I don't agree on what's funny. Sure, we both like Seinfeld, but who doesn't like Seinfeld? Normally, I stay away from the network's aggressive slate of not-so-groundbreaking sitcom pap like The Bill Engvall Show and Tyler Perry's House of Pain. But now I'm happy to hear that – instead of developing another show around another unfunny family-friendly comedian – TBS is in talks to pick up My Name is Earl for 13 new episodes.

NBC unceremoniously canceled Earl a few weeks ago when it announced its new fall season during its Upfront presentation. TBS already has Earl repeats lined up for the fall, as part of a deal with the show's producer, 20th Century Fox, but it's still unclear if the network will be able to produce new episodes of the show on a basic cable budget.

Earl ran for four years on NBC, picking up five Emmys and a decent following along the way. It makes sense that a cable network like TBS would move to pick it up, but I'm not sure if this is the best idea. A move to TBS would mean a smaller budget and possibly some changes in the cast to make up for the missing funds. There's also a possible format change to consider. Single-camera series like Earl are more expensive to produce than traditional sitcoms. It's possible that Earl might morph into a traditional multi-camera laugher, something I would hate to see.

And then there's the big question: Does Earl deserve another chance? Honestly, I didn't mind seeing it get canceled after watching the unremarkable fourth season. The show started out as a fresh and funny comedy about a guy trying to change his life. Towards the end, it seemed to devolve into a mean-spirited, gross-out gagfest about Earl's loser friends and neighbors.

I'd love to see Earl return to TV, but only if the show remains a single-camera comedy and brings the focus back to Earl's list and his quest to improve himself and the lives of the people he's wronged. Some funny jokes wouldn't hurt either.