'Chelsea' evening

She even sounds like Chelsea Handler, throwing out one-liners with that same sort of dry, understated snark. Laura Prepon, who was hired to play the raucous, foul-mouthed comic in NBCs new sitcom Are You There, Chelsea?, says the number of similarities between herself and the cheeky E! Entertainment talk show host and best-selling author are crazy.

To start with, theyre both Jersey girls.

Handler hails from Livingston, NJ. Prepon, who made her comedy bones in Foxs That 70s Show (1998-2006), is from Watchung. Handler has a Jewish father and a Mormon mother. Prepon had a Jewish father, an orthopedic surgeon who died when she was 13, and an Irish Catholic mother. Handler, 36, is the youngest of six children. Prepon, 31, the youngest of five.

Jordin Althaus/NBC

Laura Prepon (far left) plays the title character and Chelsea Handler (left) plays her sister.

As soon as we met, we bonded, says Prepon, calling from the road in Los Angeles and momentarily stressed-out, trying to steer her huge car out of a really small parking lot. She breathes again, triumphant, having accomplished the task. I tend to bond with very strong, independent women.

Prepon says she didnt hesitate grabbing the shows starring role, even though shed signed on to play a real person who was not only going to be one of her executive producers but would be acting alongside her. Handler, donning a brown wig, plays the supporting role of Chelseas pregnant sister, Sloane.

I wasnt intimidated, says Prepon, sounding very Jersey girl. But then again, I dont really get intimidated by many people. And she doesnt put out that vibe. Shes a great woman, and I respect her so much for everything shes accomplished.

Not that Prepon knew much about her. I wasnt well-versed in her life, says Prepon. And maybe thats why I wasnt intimidated. May! be that helped. But I have friends who are obsessed with her, and thats why I know about her.

Also, says Prepon, the idea behind the show was not to represent Handler literally, but to base the show loosely around Handlers persona and to turn her into a single Jersey barmaid who may not own Jerrys Ultimate Sports Bar but rules the roost, keeping everyone in check with her potty mouth.

Prepon likes to think of the show as an updated Cheers.

The main difference is that we push the envelope in a way that Cheers never did, she says. Im pretty sure most of the stuff my character says, back when Cheers was on, Sam would never have gotten away with, and neither would Diane.

An example: Chelseas character has named her dog Ass Face. And when the born-again Sloane comes to her apartment door, and thinks about using the bathroom, she quickly reconsiders. I cant use your toilet because then my baby will get chlamydia, she says.

On film, Prepon looks confident and sassy as she channels Handler. And during her working days, she takes comfort in the fact that the show tapes at Warner Bros., also home to Two and a Half Men, where her old friend from That 70s Show, Ashton Kutcher, is also hard at work.

Hes a really good friend, says Prepon, and it really sucks that all his personal stuff is getting exploited. I work right next to him, my stage is right next to his, so Im able to check on him and see that hes cool.

Prepon says the ensemble from That 70s Show shares a strong sense of gratitude.

For most of us, it was our first thing, and we felt blessed and didnt take it for granted. We kept each other grounded. We were all so close that we would all just check each other.

And if anyone gets out of line now, they can always call on Handler, though Prepon refuses to be intimidated. I never feel like shes judging me, says Prepon. I feel so comfortable. I never feel like she thinks Im getting it wrong.