Angela Bromstad, President of Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios and Paul Telegdy, EVP, Alternative Programming and Production, NBC and Universal Medea Studios spoke to reporters at the Television Critics Assocation summer press tour in Pasadena on Wednesday and I think we got a pretty good idea of where NBC is headed.
It’s going to be quite a challenge for the duo to top Ben Silverman’s amazing run as programming head (in which NBC solidified it’s position as the #4 network). Now Ben is off to try to bring down Barry Diller’s media empire (maybe that wouldn’t be the end of the world).
The main take-away from Wednesday’s meeting with the press was Ms. Bromstad and Mr. Telegdy’s commitment to quality. They…ahem… definitely seemed to be on the same page.
Angela Bromstad: “Our goal is to bring back high-quality, sophisticated dramas and comedy and a brand of alternative that falls into that.“
Paul Telegdy: “[Paula Abdul] is an exceptional piece of talent… as a viewer, I’d miss her on the show [American Idol].” In regards to possibly pursuing her for a show on NBC… “I wouldn’t rule anything out.”
Paula Abdul (from 2007): “I don’t understand how this man [some radio host] can call me a whining bitch. I’ve never in my life been called a whining bitch and a loser.”
I think if NBC could somehow get Paula Abdul in her own show saying things like the above, it would be amazing and a perfect fit for the new commitment to quality.
Hey, maybe they could even get that guy Screech from Saved By The Bell (the one that had to have a garage sale in Kansas to try to save his house). That would really put NBC on the road to recovery.
Another approach may be just to expand Jay Leno to three hours every night (sort of like Sabado Gigante on Univision).
Jill Kennedy – OnMedea