Padma Lakshmi as NBC sitcom star?

“Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi is reportedly in negotiations to star in an NBC sitcom ...

Maybe she'll be more lively in fiction than reality?

When hosting "Top Chef," she's cool and all ... but seems to take herself pretty seriously and comes off a bit stiff, doesn't exactly seem like a comedy actress.

Lakshmi also just received an Emmy nomination for her hosting gig, along with her co-host Tom Colicchio (whose hilariously repetitive interviews with the chefs during challenges are always a highlight: "What are you making? ... Are you sure you have enough time to do it that way? ... OK..."). Great show though...