Kevin Brockman and friend address the TCA. Photo courtesy of ABC
You can assume it’s going to be an interesting day when the network you’re covering has lost its head…of entertainment programming. This kind of thing happens quite a bit. Usually lawyers get involved, as is the case ABC’s freshly ousted head of entertainment Steve McPherson.
Then there’s the question of handling the next guy, Paul Lee. Two days ago, Lee was the former head of entertainment programming for ABC Family, a.k.a. the guy who gave us “Kyle XY,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” and “Pretty Little Liars.” Now the mothership’s programming lineup and overall reputation is in his hands.
ABC’s publicity department was quick to put the kibosh on any questions about McPherson, however. On Sunday morning publicity head Kevin Brockman came to the podium to welcome critics, accompanied a gigantic stuffed pink elephant. Talk about getting literal. Following brief announcements, he informed the room that last Tuesday’s statement on McPherson’s departure holds, and no further questions would be answered. With that, Lee took the stage and Brockman exited, taking Dumbo with him.
Generally a move like this would result in some sort of upheaval but frankly, people like Lee. A little more about him: He also breathed new life into BBC America and did some good work at Auntie Beeb before that. The guy seems straightforward and slightly in awe at the job that has fallen in his lap.
ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee talks to critics on Sunday.
“I think there’s a whole load of brand equity there,” Lee told critics, referring to the hits ABC has built over the past few years.
Yes, having new blood at the top can be a very good thing, unless you happen to be the producers and stars of one of the new shows premiering during 2010-2011. None of the new dramas and comedies set to premiere in fall or midseason, including “Mr. Sunshine” starring erstwhile “Friend” Matthew Perry (who experienced a legendarily awkward moment himself) are Lee’s babies.
Lee has also proven that his love for his own discoveries does not blind him to the reality of ratings, which he cited himself when he professed his adoration for “The Middle Man,” a wonderful ABC Family series that was cancelled after one season. If he’s willing to do that with a show running on cable, where the stakes aren’t nearly as high as they are on network…well, let’s just say the new showrunners must be quaking in their boots. The ratings and creative development of every new show will be under scrutiny, but we’re betting Lee will be closely watching the following…
– “Detroit 1-8-7.” This raw, dark cop drama starring Michael Imperioli and James McDaniel originally adopted a documentary format to take us into the stories of homicide detectives in the Motor City. Producers wisely decided to scrap that approach following a real incident in Detroit in which a reality show crew was filming a police raid that resulted in the death of a young girl.
ABC hasn’t had outstanding luck finding a successful police procedural since “NYPD Blue” left the air, but it’s tough to see how this series will find its place in a lineup that leans toward escapist entertainment. Also telling was that Lee mentioned his admiration for “Criminal Minds” at least twice during his session, a show “1-8-7″ doesn’t resemble in the least.
– “No Ordinary Family.” Although Michael Chiklis did his best to deflect inevitable comparisons to “Heroes” and “The Incredibles,” this is a show about a family that develops superpowers. Let’s be honest with ourselves.
Then again, one understands completely why Chiklis would want to differentiate “Family” from “Heroes,” give the way that NBC show ended with a whimper. “Family’s” task will be to remind parents and kids of a time when everyone sat down together and watched shows like “The Greatest American Hero” or “Lois & Clark.” This is a tall order considering the mediocrity of the pilot, which was only saved by the presence of Romany Malco, the comedic sidekick to Chiklis’s invulnerable strong man. Lee’s experience with light genre series like this could work in “Family’s” favor, giving the writers time to work out the kinks.
– All of the new comedies. Lee is head over heels in love with “Modern Family” (with good reason) and well-aware that his job will be to strengthen the Wednesday night beachhead it has established. But the comedy on deck for fall, “Better with You,” gets off to a terrible start. ABC wisely has two more sitcoms waiting in the wings for midseason: “Happy Endings,” an ensemble comedy (that includes Elisha Cuthbert) about an aborted wedding that threatens to cause a rift in a group of friends, and the Matthew Perry vehicle “Mr. Sunshine,” about the wacky hijinks that occur in the day-to-day life of an arena manager. “Endings” is better than “Sunshine,” but can you think of the last time ABC scored with one of its midseason comedies?…We can’t either. (Sorry, “Better Off Ted” does not count.)
– “My Generation.” Another faux-doc drama, this one with a then-and-now concept, looks at a group of young, beautiful people who graduated high school in Austin, TX., in 2000 but, surprise surprise, turned out very differently ten years later. It’s ABC’s Thursday night lead-in and could hit home with millennials, but the pilot isn’t particularly exciting. If it doesn’t show signs of life early on, we won’t be talking about it for very long.
More in line with ABC’s brand are the legal drama “The Whole Truth,” and “Body of Proof.” Maura Tierney, looking very healthy following her bout with cancer, took over the prosecutor’s role in “The Whole Truth” after Joely Richardson dropped out, and critics have yet to see how well she pairs with Rob Morrow, who plays a dogged defense attorney and her main adversary.
“Body” is Dana Delany‘s drama about a top neurosurgeon turned medical examiner after an accident destroys her ability to operate. Both shows share a much more common problem of tough timeslots; Delany’s drama is on Fridays, a night ABC previously left to “Supernanny,” “Wife Swap,” and “20/20.” “The Whole Truth,” meanwhile, is being sent up against tough competition in the 10 o’clock Wednesday night timeslot.
Other news from Sunday:
–In a case you didn’t click on that link up top, Matthew Perry spun comedy gold out of what was a deeply weird question that baited him to talk smack about fellow “Friend” David Schwimmer, who the questioner pointed out hasn’t appeared in TV much (save for guest spots on shows like “30 Rock” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”). Perry pointed out that Schwimmer’s been directing and doing theater — “that lame stuff — and later said of his own break into film, “You can tell how successful the movies were by the fact that I’m here.”
If he could channel half of the humor powering that panel into his pilot, Perry might have something.
– During a coffee break, “Modern Family” e.p. Steven Levitan announced to a group of reporters that Nathan Lane would guest star next season as Cam and Mitch’s pal Pepper. Those who watch the show are familiar with the name…should be fun.
Follow IMDbTV on Twitter for TCA Press Tour news (and snark) served directly from the source.
TCA Day 5: The A in ABC Stands for Awkward
Kevin Brockman and friend address the TCA. Photo courtesy of ABC
You can assume it’s going to be an interesting day when the network you’re covering has lost its head…of entertainment programming. This kind of thing happens quite a bit. Usually lawyers get involved, as is the case ABC’s freshly ousted head of entertainment Steve McPherson.
Then there’s the question of handling the next guy, Paul Lee. Two days ago, Lee was the former head of entertainment programming for ABC Family, a.k.a. the guy who gave us “Kyle XY,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” and “Pretty Little Liars.” Now the mothership’s programming lineup and overall reputation is in his hands.
ABC’s publicity department was quick to put the kibosh on any questions about McPherson, however. On Sunday morning publicity head Kevin Brockman came to the podium to welcome critics, accompanied a gigantic stuffed pink elephant. Talk about getting literal. Following brief announcements, he informed the room that last Tuesday’s statement on McPherson’s departure holds, and no further questions would be answered. With that, Lee took the stage and Brockman exited, taking Dumbo with him.
Generally a move like this would result in some sort of upheaval but frankly, people like Lee. A little more about him: He also breathed new life into BBC America and did some good work at Auntie Beeb before that. The guy seems straightforward and slightly in awe at the job that has fallen in his lap.
ABC Entertainment President Paul Lee talks to critics on Sunday.
“I think there’s a whole load of brand equity there,” Lee told critics, referring to the hits ABC has built over the past few years.
Yes, having new blood at the top can be a very good thing, unless you happen to be the producers and stars of one of the new shows premiering during 2010-2011. None of the new dramas and comedies set to premiere in fall or midseason, including “Mr. Sunshine” starring erstwhile “Friend” Matthew Perry (who experienced a legendarily awkward moment himself) are Lee’s babies.
Lee has also proven that his love for his own discoveries does not blind him to the reality of ratings, which he cited himself when he professed his adoration for “The Middle Man,” a wonderful ABC Family series that was cancelled after one season. If he’s willing to do that with a show running on cable, where the stakes aren’t nearly as high as they are on network…well, let’s just say the new showrunners must be quaking in their boots. The ratings and creative development of every new show will be under scrutiny, but we’re betting Lee will be closely watching the following…
– “Detroit 1-8-7.” This raw, dark cop drama starring Michael Imperioli and James McDaniel originally adopted a documentary format to take us into the stories of homicide detectives in the Motor City. Producers wisely decided to scrap that approach following a real incident in Detroit in which a reality show crew was filming a police raid that resulted in the death of a young girl.
ABC hasn’t had outstanding luck finding a successful police procedural since “NYPD Blue” left the air, but it’s tough to see how this series will find its place in a lineup that leans toward escapist entertainment. Also telling was that Lee mentioned his admiration for “Criminal Minds” at least twice during his session, a show “1-8-7″ doesn’t resemble in the least.
– “No Ordinary Family.” Although Michael Chiklis did his best to deflect inevitable comparisons to “Heroes” and “The Incredibles,” this is a show about a family that develops superpowers. Let’s be honest with ourselves.
Then again, one understands completely why Chiklis would want to differentiate “Family” from “Heroes,” give the way that NBC show ended with a whimper. “Family’s” task will be to remind parents and kids of a time when everyone sat down together and watched shows like “The Greatest American Hero” or “Lois & Clark.” This is a tall order considering the mediocrity of the pilot, which was only saved by the presence of Romany Malco, the comedic sidekick to Chiklis’s invulnerable strong man. Lee’s experience with light genre series like this could work in “Family’s” favor, giving the writers time to work out the kinks.
– All of the new comedies. Lee is head over heels in love with “Modern Family” (with good reason) and well-aware that his job will be to strengthen the Wednesday night beachhead it has established. But the comedy on deck for fall, “Better with You,” gets off to a terrible start. ABC wisely has two more sitcoms waiting in the wings for midseason: “Happy Endings,” an ensemble comedy (that includes Elisha Cuthbert) about an aborted wedding that threatens to cause a rift in a group of friends, and the Matthew Perry vehicle “Mr. Sunshine,” about the wacky hijinks that occur in the day-to-day life of an arena manager. “Endings” is better than “Sunshine,” but can you think of the last time ABC scored with one of its midseason comedies?…We can’t either. (Sorry, “Better Off Ted” does not count.)
– “My Generation.” Another faux-doc drama, this one with a then-and-now concept, looks at a group of young, beautiful people who graduated high school in Austin, TX., in 2000 but, surprise surprise, turned out very differently ten years later. It’s ABC’s Thursday night lead-in and could hit home with millennials, but the pilot isn’t particularly exciting. If it doesn’t show signs of life early on, we won’t be talking about it for very long.
More in line with ABC’s brand are the legal drama “The Whole Truth,” and “Body of Proof.” Maura Tierney, looking very healthy following her bout with cancer, took over the prosecutor’s role in “The Whole Truth” after Joely Richardson dropped out, and critics have yet to see how well she pairs with Rob Morrow, who plays a dogged defense attorney and her main adversary.
“Body” is Dana Delany‘s drama about a top neurosurgeon turned medical examiner after an accident destroys her ability to operate. Both shows share a much more common problem of tough timeslots; Delany’s drama is on Fridays, a night ABC previously left to “Supernanny,” “Wife Swap,” and “20/20.” “The Whole Truth,” meanwhile, is being sent up against tough competition in the 10 o’clock Wednesday night timeslot.
Other news from Sunday:
–In a case you didn’t click on that link up top, Matthew Perry spun comedy gold out of what was a deeply weird question that baited him to talk smack about fellow “Friend” David Schwimmer, who the questioner pointed out hasn’t appeared in TV much (save for guest spots on shows like “30 Rock” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”). Perry pointed out that Schwimmer’s been directing and doing theater — “that lame stuff — and later said of his own break into film, “You can tell how successful the movies were by the fact that I’m here.”
If he could channel half of the humor powering that panel into his pilot, Perry might have something.
– During a coffee break, “Modern Family” e.p. Steven Levitan announced to a group of reporters that Nathan Lane would guest star next season as Cam and Mitch’s pal Pepper. Those who watch the show are familiar with the name…should be fun.
Follow IMDbTV on Twitter for TCA Press Tour news (and snark) served directly from the source.
This entry was posted on Monday, August 2nd, 2010, 1:02 am and is filed under Casting alert, Commentary, TCA Summer Press Tour 2010, Tune In Info. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.