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When Playwrights Kill, a new dark comedy by playwright Matthew Lombardo, will skip a planned engagement in Connecticut to “further develop the play this summer in New York City,” producers say.

The comedy, which stars Jeremy Jordan, Harriet Harris and André De Shields, was to have played the Bushnell’s Belding Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut, for a strictly limited run from July 26-August 7. That engagement will be rescheduled for a later date.

“We are so excited to explore the further development of this play” producers said in a statement. “And although sales were strong in Hartford, we decided this shift would benefit all involved, particularly the creative team as they foster their vision in an effort to move this production forward.” As previously announced, When Playwrights Kill is being produced by Nathan Gehan, Jamison Scott, Flody Suarez, Laura Z. Barket, Raymond Esposito, and Jason and Kira Turchin.

In addition to Jordan,...

HBO is bringing quarantined celebrities to the small screen with their new original film “Coastal Elites,” and the just-released trailer shows the lighter side of isolation.

The film, the latest in a slew of pandemic programming, stars Issa Rae, Bette Midler, Kaitlyn Dever, Dan Levy and Sarah Paulson as several people telling their socially-distanced stories from across the United States. The satire, written by playwright Paul Rudnick and helmed by “Bombshell” director Jay Roach, will premiere on September 12.

The trailer, stuffed with political humor, sees Rae’s character recount an interaction with Ivanka Trump, Midler’s left-leaning persona talk about seeing a Maga hat-wearing man in New York City and Dever’s frontline nurse remember meeting someone who may have had Covid-19 symptoms.

Rudnick and Roach are serving as executive producers on “Coastal Elites,” alongside Jeffrey Seller, Flody Suarez, Scott Chaloff, and Michelle Graham.

Rudnick recently spoke to Variety about...

HBO released the trailer for its socially distanced satire “Coastal Elites” Monday, showing the characters played by stars Bette Midler, Kaitlyn Dever, Dan Levy, Sarah Paulson and Issa Rae start cracking up while in quarantine.

Per HBO, “‘Coastal Elites’ spotlights five distinct and impassioned points-of-view across the United States. When the shutdown forces these characters to cope in isolation, they react with frustration, hilarity and introspection.”

You can watch the “Coastal Elites” trailer via the video above.

Also Read: 17 New Summer TV Shows Ranked by Premiere Viewers, From 'Tough as Nails' to 'United We Fall' (Photos)

From playwright and screenwriter Paul Rudnick and directed by Jay Roach, the 1-hour, 30-minute social-distancing satire, which “tells contemporary stories of characters breaking down and breaking through as they grapple with politics, culture, and the pandemic,” will debut Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m.

Here are the character descriptions for Midler, Dever, Levy,...

HBO has set the premiere date for its quarantine comedy “Coastal Elites,” which stars Bette Midler, Kailtyn Dever, Dan Levy, Sarah Paulson and Issa Rae.

From playwright and screenwriter Paul Rudnick and directed by Jay Roach, the 1-hour, 30-minute social-distancing satire, which “tells contemporary stories of characters breaking down and breaking through as they grapple with politics, culture, and the pandemic,” will debut Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m.

Per HBO, “‘Coastal Elites’ spotlights five distinct and impassioned points-of-view across the United States. When the shutdown forces these characters to cope in isolation, they react with frustration, hilarity and introspection.”

Also Read: Issa Rae, Dan Levy and Bette Midler to Star in HBO Quarantine Satire 'Coastal Elites'

Here are the character descriptions for Midler, Dever, Levy, Paulson and Rae’s roles:

Miriam Nessler (Bette Midler) is a long-time teacher in the New York City public school system, who loves her students,...

HBO has ordered a coronavirus-themed comedic satire special “Coastal Elites.”

The special will star Issa Rae, Dan Levy, Bette Midler, Sarah Paulson and Kaitlyn Dever as characters dealing with the political and societal fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. According to HBO, “Coastal Elites” explores the deeply divided politics of our world and “universal pursuit of human connection.” As its name suggests, “Coastal Elites” will feature characters living in either New York or Los Angeles.

The special was filmed and produced entirely in quarantine and will be presented as a series of confessionals from the five main characters. “Coastal Elites” will air sometime in September.

Also Read: Marta Kauffman Talks Beginning of the End of 'Grace & Frankie,' HBO Max's 'Friends' Reunion

“Paul Rudnick and Jay Roach bring their razor-sharp perspective and wit to HBO,” said Casey Bloys, President, HBO Programming. “We are thrilled to partner with them in telling this story,...

HBO has set Coastal Elites, a comic satire special centered around five characters from New York to Los Angeles coping with politics and the pandemic. Bette Midler, Kaitlyn Dever (Unbelievable), Dan Levy (Schitt’s Creek), Sarah Paulson and Issa Rae (Insecure) star in the special from Paul Rudnick and Jay Roach. It’s slated for premiere in September.

Produced entirely under quarantine, the special, written by Rudnick and directed by Roach, “tells stories of breaking down and breaking through in the summer of 2020 that are funny, searing, poignant and now,” according to HBO.

Exploring our current world of deeply divided politics and the universal pursuit of human connection during a pandemic, Coastal Elites features a series of confessionals from five main characters, played by Midler,...

HBO is gathering a starry cast together for a quarantine special about politics and the coronavirus pandemic.

The special, titled “Coastal Elites,” will star Bette Midler, Kaitlyn Dever, Dan Levy, Sarah Paulson and Issa Rae as a group of characters who will each deliver a confessional. “Coastal Elites” was produced entirely under quarantine, is slated to air in Sept., and explores “our current world of deeply divided politics and the universal pursuit of human connection.”

The special hails from playwright and screenwriter Paul Rudnick, whose previous entertainment credits include “Addams Family Values” and the 1997 Kevin Kline film “In & Out,” and “Bombshell” director Jay Roach. Both will serve as executive producers with Rudnick writing and Roach directing.

“Paul Rudnick and Jay Roach bring their razor-sharp perspective and wit to HBO,” said Casey Bloys, president of HBO programming. “We are thrilled to partner with them in telling this story, which is uniquely resonant for these times.

Two of Broadway’s more imposing figures are calling it quits: King Kong and The Cher Show have posted closing notices, the latest exits in the annual post-Tony culling.

Each production will play its final performance on Sunday, Aug. 18.

Though Cher star Stephanie J. Block and costume designer Bob Mackie won Tony Awards at the ceremony June 9, the wins apparently didn’t translate into a big enough box office boost to keep the beat going on. For the week ending June 23 – a prime week for the post-Tony b.o. benefits to make themselves known – The Cher Show grossed $858,578, about 58% of its potential at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Written by Rick Elice, directed by Jason Moore and starring Block, Teal Wicks and Micaela Diamond as Cher at various points in her life, the jukebox bio-musical opened Dec. 3, 2018, to mixed reviews, with most critics praising Block even when less than dazzled with the glitzy rest.

Graciela Daniele, Flody Suarez, Jeffrey Seller, and Cher will be honored at the 3rd Annual Chita Rivera Awards, taking place at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts 566 Laguardia Place, off Washington Square Park on Sunday, May 19 at 730pm, it was announced today by Joe Lanteri, Founder and Executive Director of the New York City Dance Alliance Foundation www.NYCDAFoundation.net. Lanteri produces in conjunction with Patricia Watt.

Producers Flody Suarez and Jeffrey Seller announced today that a new block of tickets for the Broadway production of the new musical The Cher Show goes on sale today at 10am Et. Tickets for The Cher Show are available at www.TheCherShowBroadway.com or www.Ticketmaster.com 877-250-2929. Ticket prices range from 59 - 169. Premium tickets range from 199 - 299. Tickets are currently on sale through Sunday, October 13, 2019.

Exclusive: Rocker Melissa Etheridge will provide the musical ingredients for a stage adaptation of Mystic Pizza, the 1988 MGM rom-com that launched Julia Roberts and gave an early look at a very young, lobster-eating Matt Damon. The new production, announced today by Lively McCabe Entertainment, will be directed by Gordon Greenberg, who is co-writing the book with Sas Goldberg based on the story and characters by original screenwriter Amy Holden Jones.

“MGM’s Mystic Pizza is a seminal film for an entire generation of young people looking to distinguish themselves in a rapidly changing world,” said Greenberg. “Adapting Amy Holden Jones’ original screenplay for the stage with rock icon Melissa Etheridge, a beacon of strength and raw musical energy, and the brilliantly hilarious Sas Goldberg, is a dream collaboration on a story that is as relevant today as it was when we all first experienced it.”

Production plans and additional creative team will be announced shortly.

Exclusive: Former literary agent Scott Chaloff, most recently of Wme in New York, is joining Seller Suarez Productions as Head of Development for Television and Film.

Chaloff will develop new material for Seller Suarez’s first-look deal at Universal Television and assemble a slate of features.

Seller Suarez was founded in 2016 by Jeffrey Seller, producer of Hamilton and a four-time Tony Award winner, and former NBC exec Flody Suarez, whose producing credits include 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. The company recently produced NBC’s reality-based high school musical series Rise.

Chaloff’s client list at Wme over the past few years included Joshua Harmon, Sarah Burgess, Kenneth Lonergan, Robert Askins, Ruby Rae Spiegel, Penelope Skinner, and Be More Chill creators Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz. He represented writers and directors across theater, TV and film.

“Scott Chaloff has impeccable taste, limitless curiosity, and relationships with some of the best writers working today,...

NBC is developing a comedy series that hails from Sas Goldberg and Jake Wilson, Variety has learned exclusively.

The untitled project is described as an ensemble musical comedy. It follows Sally who, newly jobless and single after a decade working abroad, returns to New York hoping to relive her college glory days with her friends, only to find the realities of adulthood have eclipsed the carefree days of their 20s.

Goldberg and Wilson will write and executive produce, with Flody Suarez and Jeffrey Seller also executive producing via Seller Suarez Productions. Universal Television will produce in association with Seller Suarez, which is under an overall deal at the studio.

Last year, Goldberg and Wilson sold and developed a pilot at Fox with The Lonely Island producing. They also produced a pilot presentation for Bravo with Jax Media that they wrote, starred in, and Wilson directed. In addition, they have sold...

“Rise” has been canceled at NBC after just one season.

The one-hour drama centered on a dedicated teacher, played by Josh Radnor, who takes over a flagging theatrical program at a school in a working-class city. Rosie Perez, Auli’i Cravalho, Damon J. Gillespie, Marley Shelton, Rarmian Newton, Ted Sutherland, Amy Forsyth, Casey W. Johnson, Taylor Richardson, Joe Tippett, and Shirley Rumierk also starred.

“Rise” opened to a decent 1.2 rating and 5.5 million viewers in its premiere, but fell off steadily from there. The first season is averaging just a 0.9 and 4.5 million viewers in Live+Same Day.

The series was created by Jason Katims, who served as showrunner and executive producer. Jeffrey Seller, Flody Suarez and Michelle Lee also executive produce. Mike Cahill directed and executive produced the pilot. The series was produced by Universal Television, True Jack Productions and Seller Suarez Productions.

Earlier on Friday, NBC also canceled the dramas...

NBC has opted not to renew its high school musical drama Rise for a second season. There were high hopes for the series, from former Friday Night Lights showrunner Jason Katims and Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller, as a potential spiritual companion to This Is Us as another emotional drama.

But Rise did not have the same impact. It got off to a modest start in ratings and never took off.

Written by Katims and starring Josh Radnor, Rise was inspired by the story of groundbreaking high school drama teacher Lou Volpe as chronicled in the book Drama High. In the series, when dedicated teacher and family man Lou Mazzuchelli (Radnor) sheds his own self-doubt and takes over the school’s lackluster theater department, he galvanizes not only the faculty and students but the entire working-class town.

Cast also included Rosie Perez, Auli’i Cravalho, Damon J. Gillespie, Marley Shelton, Rarmian Newton,...

The Cher Show, headed for Broadway, has found its remaining Chers for the pre-Broadway run in Chicago: Actresses Teal Wicks and Micaela Diamond will join the previously announced Stephanie J. Block as the legendary singer at three stages in her life.

The show’s complete casting was announced today by producers Flody Suarez and Jeffrey Seller. The castings were not confirmed for the Broadway run.

The new musical will premiere in a June 12-July 15 limited engagement at Broadway In Chicago’s Oriental Theatre, with a Broadway run planned to begin previews on Thursday, November 1 at Broadway’s Neil Simon Theatre, with an opening on Monday, December 3.

Wicks has appeared in Wicked and Finding Neverland, while Diamond will be making her Broadway debut. Also announced today were Jarrod Spector (Beautiful) as Sonny Bono, Michael Berresse as Bob Mackie, Michael Campayno (Wicked) as Rob Camilletti, Matthew Hydzik (It Shoulda Been You) as Gregg Allman,...

Producers Flody Suarez and Jeffrey Seller announced today the design team for The Cher Show including legendary costume designer and longtime Cher collaborator Bob Mackie. The Cher Show, the new musical based on the life and career of the iconic singer and actress, will have its Pre-Broadway Premiere in Chicago with previews beginning on June 12, 2018 at Broadway In Chicago's Oriental Theatre 24 W. Randolph.

Facing concerns over the lead character on their new drama, the creators of “Rise” explained their reasoning via a statement to Entertainment Weekly.

“Rise” is inspired, but not based on, Michael Sokolove’s book “Drama High: The Incredible True Story of a Brilliant Teacher, a Struggling Town, and the Magic of Theater.” That’s where some of the misunderstanding has arisen — this is not an adaptation of “Drama High.”

On “Rise,” Josh Radnor will play a straight teacher, whereas the book’s inspiration, Lou Volpe, is gay; that choice prompted some criticism ahead of the show’s premiere in March. “The misinterpretation by some of what we’ve done with this show goes against what we fundamentally believe and who we are as individuals,” executive producers Jason Katims, Jeffrey Seller (“Hamilton”) and Flody Suarez wrote in a statement to EW.

“We are firmly committed to Lgbtq inclusion, and most of all,...

NBC has put in development an untitled family comedy from School of Rock: The Musical star Alex Brightman, Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller and Universal TV. Written by Brightman, the comedy is set in New York City and centers on a struggling twentysomething who moves back home with his parents and a rotating roster of tenants in their oversized, rent-controlled apartment. Brightman executive produces with Seller and Flody Suarez via their Universal TV-based Seller Suarez…...

“The Cher Show,” a musical based on the life of the celebrated pop star and actress, will premiere in Chicago next summer ahead of a Broadway opening in fall 2018, producers Flody Suarez and Jeffrey Seller announced Wednesday. Previews will begin on June 12, 2018 at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre before the show transfers to Broadway’s Neil Simon Theatre in the fall. “The Cher Show” features a book by Rick Elice — the Tony-winning writer who adapted Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ story into the hit “Jersey Boys” — and follows the life of Cherilyn Sarkisian La Piere Bono Allman, who became...

Cher's life story is about to hit the stage!

The 71-year-old "Believe" singer confirmed the news on Tuesday.

"Just got off phone [with] Writer & Director of musical," Cher excitedly announced via Twitter. "There Will [be] performance in Theatre With Actors, Dancers, Singers!!"

According to the New York Post, Jason Moore, the mastermind behind the popular Broadway musical Avenue Q, as well as Pitch Perfect, will direct the adaptation, which will be based on Cher's life and career.

Jason Katims’ NBC pilot about a high school theater department has found its drama queen.

RelatedPilot Season ’17: Scoop on This Fall’s (Possible) New Shows, Who’s In Them

Auli’i Cravalho, who recently starred in Disney’s Moana, has landed a major role in Drama High, our sister site Deadline reports. Based on the 2013 Michael Sokolove novel — which was itself inspired by true events — the pilot follows a “passionate teacher and family man” who runs a “working-class high school drama department” that inspires the whole town. (So, Friday Night Lights… the musical? Count me in!)

Cravalho will play a student named Lilette,...

Clear eyes, full hearts, Kyle Chandler can’t lose this role… right?

NBC has ordered a drama pilot from Friday Night Lights and Parenthood boss Jason Katims titled Drama High that centers on a high school drama teacher and family man whose passion for the program and his students galvanizes the entire working class town.

RelatedPilot Season ’17: Scoop on This Fall’s (Possible) New Shows, Who’s In Them

Katims, who is coming off the short-lived CBS medical drama Pure Genius, is penning the script and will serve as an Ep alongside Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller as well as Michelle Lee and Flody Suarez.

NBC has ordered the drama pilot “Drama High” from “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood” producer Jason Katims, TheWrap has learned. Based on the book of the same name by Michael Sokolove, and also life rights of Lou Volpe, “Drama High” centers on an extraordinary working class high school drama department and the incredible students who come alive under a passionate teacher and family man whose dedication to the program galvanizes the entire town. Katims will write and executive produce. “Hamilton” producer Jeffrey Seller will also executive produce along with Michelle Lee and Flody Suarez. This is the first NBC project for Seller who,...

Elizabeth Rayne Jul 21, 2016

The parallel universes Gaiman and Michael Reeves’ Ya sci-fi-slash-fantasy novel are coming to your living room.

From Stardust and American Gods to episodes of Doctor Who, the supernatural works of Neil Gaiman have enchanted fantasy and sci-fi fans on both the page and screen. Now Universal Cable Productions will be making magic with Neil Gaiman and Michael Reeves’ Ya novel, Interworld.

Here's a quick primer on the premise for the uninitiated:

Interworld is the strange story of teen Joey Harker, who is never the same after he passes through a peculiar fog. Reality seems warped on the other side—including the not-so-insignificant detail that Joey doesn’t exist anymore (at least in this universe). In fact, he is supposed to be dead.

Bewitched into following an extraterrestrial sorceress and her two henchmen to their spaceship, Joey is teleported into hyperspace. He is saved by a man in...

Another day, another Ya novel adaptation. This time it’s Neil Gaiman and Michael Reeves’ fantasy/sci-fi series, “Interworld,” that will be getting the small screen treatment. Universal Cable Productions announced on Wednesday that they will be putting the series into development with “Hamilton” producers, Jeffrey Seller and Flody Suarez, overseeing the production.

Read More:‘American Gods’ Casts Orlando Jones In Key Role

“Interworld” follows the adventures of a teenage Joey Harker, who, together with a group of other Joeys from different Earths, try and stop the two forces from taking over all the Earths in different universes. Gaiman, Reeves, Seller and Suarez will be executive producing the series.

Here’s the official description: Everyone in the Interworld is a version of Joey, some only a little different, while others are different genders, different ages and even different species. What makes them all special is that they have the ability to “walk,...

Following their success with "Mr. Robot" and "The Magicians," Universal Cable Productions is pushing hard on developing new projects.

The latest announcement is a series that will adapt Neil Gaiman and Michael Reeves' Ya fantasy/sci-fi novel "Interworld". In the story, teen boy Joey Harker can travel through different dimensions and in each one there's a different version of Joey - some older or younger, some a different gender or even species.

Gaiman and Reeves will be executive producers alongside "Hamilton" producer Jeffrey Seller and Flody Suarez. Universal Cable Productions is also developing series based on the comic "The Umbrella Academy" along with original series "The Woods," "Bushido" and "The Good Neighbors".

Source: Variety...

“Hamilton” producer Jeffrey Seller and his producing partner Flody Suarez are set to develop Universal Cable Productions’ new adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Michael Reeves’ Ya novel “Interworld.” The story follows teenage dimension-walker Joey Harker and his quest to battle and save all people — in all possible dimensions. Everyone in the Interworld is a version of Joey, some only a little different, while others are different genders, different ages and even different species. What makes them all special is that they have the ability to “walk,” or travel from dimension to dimension. Gaiman and Reeves will also serve as executive.

Universal Television has signed a production deal with Jeffrey Seller, producer of smash Broadway musical Hamilton, and his producing partner, former NBC executive Flody Suarez. "Jeffrey's spectacular track record on Broadway and his knack for finding and nurturing brilliant new talent, such as the creative forces behind Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights and Hamilton, is nothing short of remarkable,” NBC Entertainment and Uni TV chairman Bob Greenblatt said. “There is more…...

ABC has bought The Cult Of Mac, a single-camera comedy from Australian playwright/TV writer Tony McNamara (Tangle), ABC Studios and studio-based Brillstein Entertainment. It centers on Ted Macfadden, who casts back into his 1987 Chicago childhood with his iconoclastic/crazy dad Mac for inspiration in parenting his progressive, modern San Francisco family. This marks the U.S. debut for top Australian showrunner McNamara, who is repped by UTA and Principal. NBC has bought Four Play, a half-hour comedy script created and written by actress Liz Vassey. The project — produced by Flody Suarez, Todd Holland and Karey Burke’s Dark Toy Entertainment and Universal TV — revolves around four people creating an unlikely family while raising a newly adopted child. CSI alumna Vassey has previously written two pilot scripts as as well as a 2010 episode of CSI with her co-star Wallace Langham.

Photo by Kristin Dos Santos via Wikimedia Commons 

It's pilot season and Hollywood is quickly attaching some big names to hopeful TV projects for next season. We are crossing our fingers that some of our favorites stars will be back on the small screen by year's end. Here's a rundown of the shows we are rooting for.

Kiefer Sutherland in Touch (Fox)

With 24 firmly behind him and a stint on Broadway in Jason Miller's That Championship Season wrapping up, Kiefer has signed on to star in a new Fox pilot. Tim Kring, the creator of Heroes, is behind the project about an autistic kid who can predict the future. Kiefer plays his dad in the sci-fi thriller that has big promise.

Don Johnson in A Mann's World (NBC)

Miami Vice's Don Johnson is trying his hand at TV again by playing a Warren Beatty-like hairdresser. The Beverly...

Hollywood veteran Eric Roberts has been cast in ABC’s dance drama pilot Grace.

The story follows dysfunctional family drama set in the world of professional dance and it’s from Grey’s Anatomy writer Krista Vernoff along with producers Vernoff, Carrie Ann Inaba and Flody Suarez.

Roberts will play patriarch Michael Grace in the show. So You Think You Can Dance’s Mia Michaels is on board as choreographer. Between Glee and Black Swan, not too surprising a dance drama would make it into the pilot season mix, right?...

Eric Roberts is set to star in ABC drama pilot Grace, from creator-executive producer Krista Vernoff.  A dysfunctional family drama set in the world of professional dance, it centers on Michael Grace (Roberts), a famous choreographer who tends to sleep with his dancers and has three daughters  with different mothers. A much better dance teacher than he is a father, he is in danger of losing his studio until one of  his daughters steps in as studio manager. Mad Men helmer Lesli Linka Glatter is directing the pilot, which has added Flody Suarez as an exec producer.  Mia Michaels (So You Think You Can Dance?) will do the choreography. Roberts' series credits include Starz's Crash and NBC's Heroes.

NBC has given a 13-episode pickup to The Book of Daniel, a drama about an unconventional minister from Sony Pictures TV and NBC Universal TV Studio. The series, described as a darkly comic drama, revolves around an Episcopalian minister, Rev. Daniel Webster, played by Aidan Quinn, who finds himself conversing with a modern incarnation of Jesus to help him navigate family problems, church politics and his own nagging reliance on prescription painkillers. Daniel was written by Jack Kenny (Fox's Titus), who is executive producing along with Flody Suarez (8 Simple Rules).

NBC is opening Book of Daniel. The network has given a cast-contingent pickup to a one-hour pilot from Titus co-creator Jack Kenny. The darkly comedic drama, which Kenny wrote on spec, centers on an Episcopalian minister and father who finds himself conversing with a hip, modern Jesus who helps navigate family problems, church politics and even his nagging reliance on prescription painkillers. Kenny is executive producing Book of Daniel along with Flody Suarez (8 Simple Rules).

On a hot July evening in Pasadena, after a day of being grilled about how NBC would survive its first season after Seinfeld, Warren Littlefield was in a feisty mood. Littlefield, who was then in the final months of his nine-year run as NBC Entertainment president, and the rest of the peacock's West Coast executive corps were enduring a humdrum party beside the pool at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington hotel during the summer 1998 Television Critics Assn. press tour. On a lark, Littlefield offered $400 to anyone willing to dive in to the pool and swim a lap, fully clothed. When the ante was upped to $500 -- thanks to $50 contributions from then-NBC executive Flody Suarez and Just Shoot Me creator/executive producer Steven Levitan -- Stephen McPherson headed for the water. "It was a moment of spontaneity that most definitely livened up the party," Littlefield recalled. McPherson, who at the time was vp primetime series at NBC, plunged headfirst into a far greater challenge this week, taking on the job of ABC Primetime Entertainment president following the Walt Disney Co.'s extreme makeover of ABC's senior management ranks during the past two weeks (HR 4/21).

On a hot July evening in Pasadena, after a day of being grilled about how NBC would survive its first season after Seinfeld, Warren Littlefield was in a feisty mood. Littlefield, who was then in the final months of his nine-year run as NBC Entertainment president, and the rest of the peacock's West Coast executive corps were enduring a humdrum party beside the pool at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington hotel during the summer 1998 Television Critics Assn. press tour. On a lark, Littlefield offered $400 to anyone willing to dive in to the pool and swim a lap, fully clothed. When the ante was upped to $500 -- thanks to $50 contributions from then-NBC executive Flody Suarez and Just Shoot Me creator/executive producer Steven Levitan -- Stephen McPherson headed for the water. "It was a moment of spontaneity that most definitely livened up the party," Littlefield recalled. McPherson, who at the time was vp primetime series at NBC, plunged headfirst into a far greater challenge this week, taking on the job of ABC Primetime Entertainment president following the Walt Disney Co.'s extreme makeover of ABC's senior management ranks during the past two weeks (HR 4/21).