Long-running CBS sitcom held off fall schedule

The "King" is not dead yet.

Although it won't be back for the fall, CBS' sitcom "The King of Queens" will roll out its ninth season sometime during 2006-07, CBS announced Wednesday. The further adventures of Doug and Carrie Heffernan will likely join the Eye network's lineup at midseason.

The late start for the show will allow star/executive producer Kevin James to work on his big-screen career some more, following his scene-stealing turn in "Hitch" last year. James is attached to star in "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry," a comedy about two straight guys (James and Adam Sandler) who pose as a gay couple so they can receive domestic-partner benefits.

The movie, written by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor ("Election," "Sideways") and directed by David Dobkin ("Wedding Crashers"), is currently scheduled for a summer 2007 release.

Going into this week's upfronts, there was some question as to whether "The King of Queens" would be renewed at all. The midseason pickup is something CBS has done before with a veteran sitcom. Both "Becker" and "Yes, Dear" have received late starts in recent years.

With "That '70s Show" and "Will & Grace" ending this week, "The King of Queens" will assume the title of the longest-running live-action sitcom currently on the air.