Tierney illness delays 'Parenthood' debut

LOS ANGELES, July 11 (UPI) -- NBC says it is delaying the debut of the new U.S. TV series "Parenthood" because the show's star, Maura Tierney, got sick.

Entertainment Weekly said on its Web site Friday that the TV network confirmed the delay of the new comedy's Sept. 23 premiere to an unspecified time in the network's midseason period of late 2009 and early 2010.

Neither the network nor a representative for Tierney would comment on the medical matter the 44-year-old actress is facing.

Production on "Parenthood," based on a 1989 movie of the same name, has also been delayed eight weeks from its initial start date of July 27.

The series will feature Tierney, known best for playing Abby Lockhart on "ER," as a woman dealing with three siblings and her parents.

The drama, which also stars Peter Krause and Erika Christensen, will be replaced on NBC's fall line-up with the medical drama "Mercy," Entertainment Weekly said.