Fully Committed made for a funny one-man show, but ABC is hoping it'll make an even funnier, multi-character sitcom. The Becky Mode play has been picked up for an new half-hour series that takes place in a trendy Manhattan eatery.

Like the stage show, in which one actor portrayed Sam, an out-of-work actor-cum-reservations clerk, and all the employees and patrons of the establishment, "Fully Committed" on TV will be seen through the eyes of a struggling actor, who works at the restaurant. Robert DeNiro, Jane Rosenthal, Jay Roach and Mode are executive producers for the show.

Mode crafted Fully Committed for actor Mark Setlock, whose real life experiences as an out-of-work actor desperately trying to fill tables at a trendy Manhattan restaurant were the basis for her play. Other credits include writing for TV's "Cosby," HBO, Nickelodeon and Disney.

Fully Committed first opened Off Broadway Sept. 30, 1999, with fully-committed reviews, extending, at the time, through Oct. 30 at the Vineyard. The show then moved to the Cherry Lane Theatre, where it featured Roger Bart and Christopher Fitzgerald in the role.

Roach ("Meet the Parents") is expected to direct the first episode for the fall 2002 season. — By Christine Ehren