In what can only be a huge blow for the show, Christina Applegate has opted to exit NBC’s reasonably popular sitcom “Up All Night”.

Applegate was the second lead on the comedy, starring alongside Will Arnett.

Though it’s done quite well, the series hasn’t worked as well as the network had hoped it would. NBC recently announced it would be rejigging the format of the show, moving the emphasis from the family to the workplace and transforming it from a one-camera pre-recorded sitcom to a traditional multi-camera live-studio audience offering in the coming months. In addition, the show’s showrunner and EP chair has changed hands a couple of times.
Now, they’ve lost their leading lady.

“It’s been a great experience working on Up All Night, but the show has taken a different creative direction and I decided it was best for me to move on to other endeavors,” Applegate tells Deadline. “Working with Lorne Michaels has been a dream come true and I am grateful he brought me into his TV family. I will miss the cast, producers and crew, and wish them the best always.”

NBC might still decide to can the series (I think they will), but meantime, rumour is Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”) has been approached to see if she might be interested in replacing Applegate.

Christina Applegate is about to shoot the “Anchorman” sequel, so may indeed have ‘better things to do’ now.