NBC's new sitcom "Newlyweds" has lost its showrunner two weeks before it even reaches television screens.
Fired over 'creative differences'
Gail Lerner, who co-created the series, announced on Oct. 9 in a lengthy Instagram post that she had been dismissed as showrunner. "Here's the bad news: I got fired off it today," she wrote. "The reason I've been given is 'creative differences.'"
The sitcom, which premieres Oct. 23 on NBC, was one of the network's most closely watched new comedies. Lerner, whose producing credits include "Black-ish," "Will & Grace," "Happy Endings" and "Ugly Betty," said the first six episodes were made under her leadership.
"The silver lining: the first six episodes were made under my leadership, and I wouldn't change a thing," she wrote, adding that she expects the show to be "a barn burner." USA Today said it had reached out to an NBC representative for comment.
A later-in-life love story
"Newlyweds" is described as "a later-in-life love story about a free-spirited woman and a buttoned-up professor who marry impetuously after a whirlwind courtship." It stars real-life newlyweds Téa Leoni and Tim Daly, who are also married in real life and previously played husband and wife on "Madam Secretary."
The pair spoke about working together again during an NBCUniversal media preview event in August. Leoni, 60, said they had been "sniffing around to play together again" after enjoying their time on the political drama. Daly, 70, joked that audiences had already told them they have chemistry.
The supporting cast includes Emma Meisel, Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, Bill O'Neill and Al Madrigal. Jamie Lee Curtis, who co-created the show with Lerner, serves as an executive producer and will appear in a recurring guest role throughout the season.
A showrunner change this close to a premiere is unusual, and it raises questions about how the series will evolve after its opening episodes. For now, Lerner struck a gracious note toward the team she is leaving behind, calling the cast, crew and writers "unparalleled" and wishing the show "a long and happy run."
Sources:
USA Today: 'Newlyweds' co-creator Gail Lerner fired as showrunner ahead of premiere
Fired over 'creative differences'
Gail Lerner, who co-created the series, announced on Oct. 9 in a lengthy Instagram post that she had been dismissed as showrunner. "Here's the bad news: I got fired off it today," she wrote. "The reason I've been given is 'creative differences.'"
The sitcom, which premieres Oct. 23 on NBC, was one of the network's most closely watched new comedies. Lerner, whose producing credits include "Black-ish," "Will & Grace," "Happy Endings" and "Ugly Betty," said the first six episodes were made under her leadership.
"The silver lining: the first six episodes were made under my leadership, and I wouldn't change a thing," she wrote, adding that she expects the show to be "a barn burner." USA Today said it had reached out to an NBC representative for comment.
A later-in-life love story
"Newlyweds" is described as "a later-in-life love story about a free-spirited woman and a buttoned-up professor who marry impetuously after a whirlwind courtship." It stars real-life newlyweds Téa Leoni and Tim Daly, who are also married in real life and previously played husband and wife on "Madam Secretary."
The pair spoke about working together again during an NBCUniversal media preview event in August. Leoni, 60, said they had been "sniffing around to play together again" after enjoying their time on the political drama. Daly, 70, joked that audiences had already told them they have chemistry.
The supporting cast includes Emma Meisel, Ignacio Diaz-Silverio, Bill O'Neill and Al Madrigal. Jamie Lee Curtis, who co-created the show with Lerner, serves as an executive producer and will appear in a recurring guest role throughout the season.
A showrunner change this close to a premiere is unusual, and it raises questions about how the series will evolve after its opening episodes. For now, Lerner struck a gracious note toward the team she is leaving behind, calling the cast, crew and writers "unparalleled" and wishing the show "a long and happy run."
Sources:
USA Today: 'Newlyweds' co-creator Gail Lerner fired as showrunner ahead of premiere
