Talk show in works: Actress, author and Mother McAuley graduate signs deal with Oprah's production company.

BY PAIGE WISER, Television Critic/pwiser@suntimes.com

If the unsinkable Jenny McCarthy isn't the hardest working former Playmate of the Year, she certainly has the most eclectic resume.

With Monday's news that McCarthy has signed a multiyear deal with Oprah Winfrey's production company, it would seem that she's just getting started.

Chicago's Jenny McCarthy has become Oprah Winfrey's latest teacher's pet, joining an elite club that includes Rachael Ray, Dr. Phil, and that Rosie woman who published a cookbook.

The world saw a different side of natural comedian McCarthy when she went public with her son's autism diagnosis. She believes that Evan, 6, is "recovering" from autism. McCarthy has a blog at Oprah.com, and a talk show is in the works. On the blog, McCarthy calls live-in boyfriend Jim Carrey "my husband" and reports on her battle to give up sugar.