Odd Couple

You may have heard that John Goodman is returning to prime-time television this fall. But there's something surprising about the Fox sitcom you probably don't know: Goodman's character will be gay. But unlike the homosexuals on, say, NBC's ''Will and Grace,'' this guy will be a football watching, beer guzzling working stiff much like the one he played on ABC's ''Roseanne.''

Goodman's spokesman confirms that the comic actor will portray the gay half of a quirky pair of male roommates (á la ''The Odd Couple''). The other star, who has yet to be cast, will play an effeminate -- but heterosexual -- man. Both characters will have teenage children.

Bonnie and Terry Turner (''That '70s Show,'' ''3rd Rock From the Sun'') will create and executive produce the Carsey-Werner comedy, which has received a 13-episode commitment from Fox. Goodman, though, is prepared to do more -- he's reportedly signed for a full season. The series represents a homecoming of sorts for him; Carsey-Werner also produced ''Roseanne'' for ABC from 1988 to 1997.

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