Kirstie Alley has signed a TV development deal with Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions. As a result, the 57-year-old actress is going to host a show on the talk-show queen’s new network channel, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network which is going to launch in second-half 2009. According to Reuters the new channel is going to be a joint venture with Discovery Communications.

Still, the nature of Alley’s show was not yet announced. The deal might include a syndicated daytime talk-show or a program for OWN. Harpo’s team is also excited by Alley’s collaboration with them.

Tim Bennett, Harpo’s president, said in a statement: “Kirstie is a tremendous talent who is incredibly relatable and a true fan favorite. And we are thrilled to welcome her to Harpo. Audiences love her and it’s easy to see why: She is always at ease, whether speaking up about the most intimate aspects of her life or even appearing in a bikini on the Oprah show,” adding that they “are working forward to working together to bring viewers everywhere her distinctive voice and comedic flair.”

The actress has appeared several times on “Oprah Winfrey Show.” Moreover, on November 2006, Alley she managed to generate headlines after donning a bikini to show her 75-pound weight loss. According to Reuters Kirstie said: “I’m very open with what I've been through in my own personal life, and nothing -- I mean nothing -- is off-limits for me to talk about. And I won't lie -- I live a beautiful life. So I hope to bring those elements together to offer something totally fresh for the television audience."

Oprah Winfrey also helped “Dr. Phil” and “Rachael Ray” to launch, both hosts appearing on Winfrey’s show several times before having their own ones.