or


[09/14/04 - 12:00 AM]
CBS Entertainment Forms Executive Team for Primetime Series with Promotions for Three Key Programming Executives

[via press release from CBS]

CBS ENTERTAINMENT FORMS EXECUTIVE TEAM FOR PRIMETIME SERIES WITH PROMOTIONS FOR THREE KEY PROGRAMMING EXECUTIVES

Wendi Trilling Promoted to Executive Vice President, Comedy Development

Laverne McKinnon To Head Drama Development

David Brownfield Elevated to Senior Vice President, Current Programming

Newly-named CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler has put together her executive programming team for primetime series, promoting Wendi Trilling to Executive Vice President, Comedy Development, handing the reigns of drama development to Laverne McKinnon and elevating David Brownfield to Senior Vice President, Current Programming.

Trilling was the programming executive responsible for developing and championing CBS's signature comedy, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, while also developing the Network's most successful comedies, including Monday night hits THE KING OF QUEENS (now a Wednesday success), STILL STANDING and, most recently, TWO AND A HALF MEN, the 2003-2004 season's most watched new comedy.

Under Trilling's auspices, this season CBS will launch the comedies LISTEN UP, starring Jason Alexander and Malcolm-Jamal Warner, as well CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE with John Goodman and Jean Smart.

"Thanks to Wendi's development skills, CBS has the top-rated comedy block (Monday night) on television,� said Tassler. "Having worked alongside her for several years now, I am constantly impressed by her comedic intuition and her ability to work with creative talent to turn a concept into a hit. Wendi's talents have helped make CBS America's Number One network and I'm thrilled to work with her in this new capacity."

Trilling has been Senior Vice President, Comedy Development at CBS since June 2000. She joined CBS in 1990 in the Current Programs Department. She was named Manager of Comedy/Drama Series Development in 1992 and named Associate Director, Comedy Development in 1993. She was promoted to Director of Comedy Development in 1994 and was named a Vice President in 1997.

McKinnon, who was upped to Senior Vice President, Drama Development, in April 2004, will assume Tassler's former position as head of CBS's drama development department.

Working with Tassler, McKinnon played a key role in developing some of television's most critically-acclaimed and commercially successful dramas, including last season's most watched new drama, COLD CASE; the Emmy-nominated JOAN OF ARCADIA; CSI: MIAMI; NCIS, and WITHOUT A TRACE.

For the upcoming season, McKinnon was involved in the development of CLUBHOUSE, dr. vegas and the highly anticipated CSI: NY.

�Laverne is a gifted executive who has been at my side for the development of some of CBS�s biggest hits," said Tassler. "She has a remarkable ability to identify strong material and to communicate and collaborate with writers and producers in a way that nurtures a project from script to pilot to successful series. With Laverne running the department, we have an executive that brings the talent, track record, passion and stability to continue CBS�s reputation for being the destination of choice for top drama projects.�

McKinnon has been Vice President, Drama Series Development, since May 2001. Prior to that, she held the position of Director, Drama Development since May 2000. From July 1988 to May 2000, McKinnon had been Director, Current Programming. She joined CBS in 1996 as Director, Children�s Programs.

Prior to joining CBS, McKinnon was Vice President, Creative Affairs, at Klasky Csupo, Inc., where she oversaw the development and sale of all television and feature projects for the Emmy Award-winning producers of �The Simpsons� and �Rugrats.� From 1991-1993, McKinnon worked in the television packaging department at Triad Artists.

Brownfield, Vice President, Current Programs since June 2003, has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Current Programs, assuming the position previously held by David Stapf, who was named President, Paramount Network Television last week.

In his position, Brownfield will run the current programming department and work with the producers of CBS's primetime comedy and drama series to maintain the quality and direction of the Network's established hit programs.

Brownfield, who joined CBS in 2001 as Director, Current Programming, most recently worked on COLD CASE, WITHOUT A TRACE and the new drama, CLUBHOUSE.

�David is one of the most impressive executives that I�ve ever worked with," said Tassler. "He has terrific communication skills and knows how to work with producers in a manner that serves the network, facilitates the creative process and creates an environment for programming to succeed," said Tassler. "David�s creativity, experience, professionalism and insight will be invaluable to me as we seek to program the next generation of hits that will sustain CBS�s momentum and grow our audience.�

Prior to joining CBS, Brownfield was a co-producer and writer on the comedy "Boy Meets World" (1998-2000). Before that, he was a development and current executive at ABC (1993-1997) where he helped develop "The Drew Carey Show" and "Lois & Clark: the New Adventures of Superman."

From 1989-1982, Brownfield was in the current programming department at Paramount Television. He began his career as a sports producer at KHJ-TV Los Angeles (now Viacom-owned KCAL).





  [september 2004]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· BOY MEETS BOY (BRAVO)
· CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE (CBS)
· CLUBHOUSE (CBS)
· COLD CASE (CBS)
· CSI: MIAMI (CBS)
· CSI: NEW YORK (CBS)
· DREW CAREY SHOW, THE (ABC)
· EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND (CBS)
· JOAN OF ARCADIA (CBS)
· KING OF QUEENS, THE (CBS)
· LISTEN UP (CBS)
· NCIS (CBS)
· STILL STANDING (CBS)
· TWO AND A HALF MEN (CBS)
· WITHOUT A TRACE (CBS)





[12/20/24 - 11:33 AM]
Season Finale of NBC Drama "Brilliant Minds" Will Now Air as a Special Event with Back-to-Back Episodes on Monday, Jan. 6
The original season finale date was a week later on January 13.

[12/20/24 - 11:04 AM]
ID's New Series "The Curious Case Of..." to Premiere with Explosive, Expanded Episode Focused on Former "Jackass" Star Bam Margera's Controversial Legal Guardianship
Featuring "The Curious Case of Natalia Grace" legal analyst Beth Karas, the series will dive into some of the most shocking true crime cases and unbelievable scandals.

[12/20/24 - 10:32 AM]
FOX Sports Films, SMAC Entertainment, BZ Entertainment and NFL Films Announce "The Madden Cruiser: A Bayou Adventure with Bill Belichick" Airing Super Bowl Sunday on FOX
The one-hour special features eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick as he travels in the iconic "Madden Cruiser" bus of Hall of Fame legend John Madden on an unforgettable road trip through Louisiana's football country with a host of special guests.

[12/20/24 - 10:02 AM]
Onyx Collective Presents Winter Premiere Dates and First Looks for Documentary Film "SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)" and New Comedy Series "Deli Boys"
The former premieres Thursday, February 13 while the latter launches on Thursday, March 6.

[12/20/24 - 09:27 AM]
MTV's "Teen Mom" Celebrates Its Sweet 16 with a New Season of "Teen Mom: The Next Chapter" on Thursday, January 30th at 8PM ET/PT
The groundbreaking docu-series that has never shied away from authentic, unfiltered narratives will return for its milestone 16-year anniversary with Amber Portwood, Ashley Jones, Briana DeJesus, Catelynn Baltierra, Cheyenne Davis, Jade Cline, Leah Messer, Maci McKinney and Mackenzie McKee.

[12/20/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Bandidos" Season 2 - Official Trailer - Netflix
Lilí and Miguel's peaceful escape is shattered when she's forced into a risky quest for the Tear of Fire diamond, risking everything to save her friends.

[12/20/24 - 08:31 AM]
Video: New Netflix Sports Promo Highlights Upcoming Sports Programming
Netflix continues to expand its sports slate, offering members a wide variety of sports programming across series, films and live events, including the recent record-breaking Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul fight and the upcoming NFL Games on Christmas Day and the debut of "WWE Raw" on Netflix next year.

[12/20/24 - 07:31 AM]
"Stranger Things 5" - That's a Wrap!
Production on the fifth and final season has officially wrapped, set to premiere in 2025.

[12/20/24 - 06:01 AM]
Netflix Secures U.S. Rights to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 and 2031
The agreement covers all languages, with studio shows and top-tier talent planned with a dual telecast for both English and Spanish language broadcasts in the U.S.

[12/20/24 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Lisabi: A Legend Is Born" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The epic tale of the birth and rise of legendary folk hero Lísàbí Agbongbo-Akala, destined to save the Egba people in the face of a treacherous leader.

[12/20/24 - 01:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind: Germany" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The experiment comes to Germany as local singles seek true love and a commitment that lasts a lifetime, all before meeting each other face-to-face.

[12/19/24 - 08:01 PM]
Video: "Incognito" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The mission? Lock target and finish the job.

[12/19/24 - 01:33 PM]
HBO Original Film "For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story" to Debut on Max Friday, December 20
In celebration of the Kennedy Center honoring Arturo Sandoval and prior to this Sunday's airing of the ceremony, Max will be bringing the 2000 multiple Emmy-nominated HBO original film to Max for the first time.

[12/19/24 - 01:01 PM]
The Holiday Cheer Will Be in Houston as Pentatonix Performs the National Anthem During NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix
Plus: The Steelers will honor the U.S. armed forces with a special National Anthem performance by Voices of Service.

[12/19/24 - 12:59 PM]
HBO Renews "Dune: Prophecy" for a Second Season
Across Max territories, the first episode has amassed approximately 15 million viewers.