Image Credit: Justin Lubin/NBC; Inset: Albert L. Ortega/PR PhotosAnother NBC suit is leaving the programming ranks in light of the pending Comcast-NBC merger. Angela Bromstad, the Peacock’s head of programming, told her staff today that she was departing the third place net that remains in transition. In November, it was revealed that Robert Greenblatt, the wunderkind who revitalized Showtime with critical faves like Dexter and Weeds, would become Chairman of NBC Entertainment once the merger was complete. He will oversee all aspects of prime time and late night programming and Bromstad was expected to report to him.
This is the second time that Bromstad has left NBC.
In 2007, Bromstad vacated her post as head of NBC’s production company after reportedly butting heads with the network over programming control. Bromstad came back to the net in January of 2009 at the behest of then CEO Jeff Zucker to assume control of prime time. The pressure on the veteran TV exec was both instantaneous and enormous: Bromstad not only joined the network in the midst of development season but NBC was mired in fourth place.
The network’s now is third place among viewers and adults 18-49 (thanks, pro football!), and shows like Parenthood and Parks and Recreation that were developed during Bromstad’s tenure are critical favorites (while in charge at the studio, she also developed Community, 30 Rock, Heroes and Friday Night Lights). But this season’s drama Outlaw that starred Jimmy Smits didn’t make it past a month and the heavily-promoted Undercovers was canceled less than two months later.
“I cannot possibly sum up my thoughts and emotions in an email but suffice it to say I have tremendous respect for the company and for the people with whom I have had the privilege to work with and know during my time here,” Bromstad wrote in an email to staff members Thursday. “I take great memories and friendships with me and I wish you all the best going forward.”
NBC NEEDS to fire the person who “developed” Chuck. That has to be the worst show on TV.
So why do so many TV critics praise it? It may not be your cup of tea but it certainly is a good show.
ur crazy chuck is the greatest show ever … i bet you you watch FOX NEWS
Ugh, please. I’m not even a big fan of Chuck, but I’m not stupid enough to say something like that. It’s evident that it is a well-acted and well-written show. If you think it is the worst show on TV, then I’m guessing you haven’t seen much else that TV has to offer.
“Chuck” has its audience. Don’t pout just because it doesn’t float your boat.
Maybe they should get rid of the people who put Undercovers against Survivor on wensdays should be out too…lol
This wasn’t entirely unexpected.
Great. Now they won’t do a show with black leads for another 10 years. Hell, they could have at least made “Undercovers” good. I tried to support it because it was a positive representation of a black couple (well, neither lead was a black American, which tells you you can only be so black) that really liked each other. But that doesn’t mean semi-normal black people are boring! Omg, talk about lack of chemistry…
I actually thought Undercovers was good, in a fun way. Never expected it to win any awards, but thought it had an ease that was really comfortable and familiar. It probably would have done better on USA rather than on NBC. I personally am going to miss the show.
Is she the one responsible for L&O’s cancellation? I’m still bitter about that. Comcast should axe the whole scheduling department as well.
And now NBC is playing a game with the relaunch of Law & Order: Los Angeles. No room for it yet on the schedule but plenty of room for trash like Marriage Ref & Celebrity Apprentice.
At least she left voluntarily, unlike Leno.
Are they going to air the remaining episodes of Undercovers? I may be alone, but I enjoyed the show. Not the greatest, but still entertaining.
The problem with tv these days ……we the viewers aren’t given the chance to vote on the new shows !!! And our beloved networks pulled our new shows before they r given a chance 2 develop the story line and their characters! Wow how about giving the shows some time to show us what they have before u pull the plug!
These shows were horrible and they should not have been greenlit in the first place.
“Outlaw” was one of the worst pilots I have ever seen. “Undercovers” had potential and I hoped that it’ll get better, but it never did…
Actually, thanks to the fact that cable and Internet companies can track real-time viewership, ratings are now based on actual viewer behavior. Therefore, we get to “vote” for shows by watching them. Unfortunately, a lot of people watch garbage, so “reality shows” survive while quality shows get axed. Additionally, most “reality shows” are inexpensive to produce, so if they get decent ratings they make profits. In contrast, most dramas are expensive to produce, so they need strong ratings to turn a profit.
I watched Undercovers to be supportivefor an innovative show with non-white leads. However, the formulaic nature of the plots – the couples bicker, the loser sister (seen that a few times)and the fact that the wife always came riding in like the calvary took its toll on my interest. Can we please have shows with dimensional characters in interesting and non predictable plots?
fringe is the best show on TV
Why don’t these idoits let show like outlaw run for full season to see if all the people like it
I am so totally bummed by the cancellation of The Undercovers. I kept looking for the next episode to occur & finally did a web search tonight, ending with this article that shattered my anticipation of watching the next episode. I barely watch network tv anymore, but this was a show I really enjoyed & looked forward to tuning in for.
This so ” A” tipical of NBC. What did “Undercovers” need do to stay on the air?It’s all about greed not quality entertainment.The solution would be being a little more diverse on time slots for shows like that to capture the nix.
Undercovers had excellent production quality, an interesting premise, and alot of potential. The numbers for it were good considering it was up against Survivor and the minimal promotion for it.
Show with minorities in them are cancelled fist.