2011: There are three possibilities for an up and coming standup comic to make it big in network television. They could get a title vehicle built around and starring them, such as “Whitney” for Whitney Cummings or “Louie” for Louie C.K. They could create a show which is based on their life, uses their actual name, but stars someone else as them, saving them from taking the blame if it fails, while still earning them big bucks if it succeeds. That would be Chelsea Handler’s “Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea.” MO Mandel podcast excerpt: "Being on 'Chelsea Lately' has definitely helped me spread myself to different audiences. Comedy Central is almost exclusively a male audience. Women don't even know that's a channel. A huge majority of women watch Chelsea and I've noticed my crowds are much better looking than they used to be." That’s the opportunity being handed comedian Mo Mandel, who appears as Dan, a bachelor on the prowl in the new NBC series, “Free Agents,” which airs Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. The top-lined stars on the show are Hank Azaria and Kathyn Hahn, so Mandel, who is a regular guest on “Chelsea Lately” and has been seen on “Modern Family” and the under-appreciated “Love Bites,” gets to do his part with a lot less pressure. More good news for comedian Mandel, whose new CD, “The M-Word” is due out soon: the New York Times thinks “Free Agents” is a winner. Mo Mandel Website • Twitter • Facebook • Comedy Central • Order The M Word from Amazon.com