News

Steve Carell snagging the role of Michael Scott over a Breaking Bad star? Yeah, that twist might sound crazy, but once you dig into Carell’s philosophy, it all starts making sense. Back when The Office was hunting for its lead, Carell didn’t just deliver laughs—he brought a whole vibe, a depth that went beyond slapstick.

Steve Carell in The Office | Credits: NBC

Meanwhile, his competitor, though talented, couldn’t quite nail the same magic Carell radiated. It wasn’t just about the jokes—it was Carell’s belief that comedy hits hardest when it’s wrapped in authenticity. That’s what gave him the edge, hands down.

How Steve Carell’s ‘Buffoon’ Philosophy Led to His Michael Scott Success Over Bob Odenkirk Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul | Credit: Sony Pictures)

Steve Carell outshining Bob Odenkirk to land the role of Michael Scott on The Office sounds pretty wild.

Spoiler Alert: The following interview contains spoilers from “We’re in the Memory-Making Business,” the season finale of “Bad Monkey” now streaming on Apple TV+.

The case is closed on the first season of Apple TV+’s series “Bad Monkey,” the Florida Keys-set comedic crime series based on the Carl Hiaasen novel of the same name. And while more than a few characters didn’t make it out alive, the good guys prevailed.

Among the victors was suspended detective-turned-health inspector Andrew Yancy (Vince Vaughn), who, as he sat looking out at the ocean during the season’s final moments, seemed to have found a sense of peace — even if he was still suspended, and his romance with Dr. Rosa Campesino (Natalie Martinez) didn’t fall into place as he would have liked.

To recap the season finale, executive producer Bill Lawrence and star Vince Vaughn talked to Variety (in separate...

[Editor’s note: The following interview contains spoilers for Season 1 of “Bad Monkey,” including its ending.]

The finale of Apple TV+’s “Bad Monkey” kicked off with a shock: The Dragon Queen is dead. The opening moments showed the rest of last week’s confrontation between Gracie (Jodie Turner-Smith) and Eve (Meredith Hagner), with Eve shoving her, and a tree branch piercing through her chest, killing her.

“The Dragon Queen was a much different character in the book,” show writer and executive producer Matt Tarses explained to IndieWire. “She was an old woman and she was sort of pretty much evil;, didn’t have any redemptive qualities. And so early on, we wanted to make that character more nuanced. We made her younger, we gave her this kind of consciousness of a grandmother, in Ya-Ya. I love that character, and I love what Jodie Turner-Smith did with that stuff.”

He continued, “[Her] arc became a big, important story for us, and her...

HBO has ordered an ensemble comedy series starring, written and executive produced by Rachel Sennott.

The project, about a codependent friend group that reunites, navigating how the time apart, ambition, and new relationships have changed them, originated as a pilot, which Sennott executive produced with Emma Barrie (HBO’s Barry), Aida Rodgers (HBO’s Barry), and Lorene Scafaria (HBO’s Succession), who directed it.

“Rachel is as hilarious as she is charming,” said Amy Gravitt, EVP HBO and Max Comedy Programming. “With Lorene and Emma, she has captured the comedy and the beauty that happens when friendships collide with our best laid plans. We’re thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with this talented team and this exquisite cast.”

Sennott stars alongside Odessa A’zion (Sitting in Bars with Cake), Jordan Firstman (Rotting in the Sun), Miles Robbins (Blockers) and True Whitaker (Godfather of Harlem). Just like it was at the pilot stage,...

From a budgetary perspective alone, Bill Lawrence — the writer behind “Scrubs,” “Ted Lasso,” “Cougar Town” and “Shrinking” — shouldn’t have shot his new Apple TV+ series “Bad Monkey” in Florida.

“There’s no tax break, and it’s immediately more expensive,” Lawrence says. “There are so many regulations about the wildlife and about what you’re allowed to do. There was a massive storm every 20 minutes that you have to shut down production. Animals were wandering around everywhere. It was tricky. But it mattered to Carl.”

“Carl” is Carl Hiaasen, Lawrence’s favorite author and the famed Miami-based writer behind the 2013 novel “Bad Monkey,” upon which the new series is adapted. Before Hiaasen would sign off on the show, he had one major stipulation: You have to film it in Florida.

“I went from thinking it wasn’t worth it when I was there — because it was a nightmare — to being really grateful,...

Plot: The story of Andrew Yancy, who has been bounced from the Miami Police Department and is now a health inspector in the Keys. But after stumbling upon a case that begins with a human arm fished up by tourists, he realizes that if he can prove murder, he’ll be back in. He just needs to get past a trove of Floridian oddballs and one bad monkey.

Review: The last time Vince Vaughn starred in a mystery series for television, the result was the divisive second season of True Detective. Playing a fully dramatic role was nothing new for the versatile Vaughn, but the mixed reception pushed the actor back to the big screen. Aside from a recurring role in the final seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Vince Vaughn has stayed away from television until now. Partnering with Bill Lawrence, the creator of Scrubs and co-creator of Ted Lasso,...

Today, Apple TV+ unveiled the trailer for Bad Monkey, the highly anticipated comedy from award-winning executive producer Bill Lawrence and starring acclaimed actor, producer and screenwriter Vince Vaughn, who also serves as an executive producer. The 10-episode series will premiere globally on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on August 14, 2024 followed by new episodes every Wednesday through October 9.

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s New York Times bestselling novel and enduring cult favorite, Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), who has been bounced from the Miami Police Department and is now a health inspector in the Keys. But after stumbling upon a case that begins with a human arm fished up by tourists, he realizes that if he can prove murder, he’ll be back in. He just needs to get past a trove of Floridian oddballs and one bad monkey.

The ensemble cast also includes L. Scott Caldwell...

Today, Apple TV+ unveiled the trailer for its Bad Monkey series, the highly anticipated comedy from award-winning executive producer Bill Lawrence and starring acclaimed actor, producer, and screenwriter Vince Vaughn, who also serves as an executive producer.

The 10-episode series will premiere globally on Apple TV+. The first two episodes will debut on August 14, 2024, and new episodes will begin streaming every Wednesday through October 9.

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s New York Times bestselling novel and enduring cult favorite, Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), who has been bounced from the Miami Police Department and is now a health inspector in the Keys.

But after stumbling upon a case that begins with a human arm fished up by tourists, he realizes that if he can prove murder, he’ll be back in. He just needs to get past a trove of Floridian oddballs and one bad monkey.

In addition to Vince Vaughn,...

Vince Vaughn is getting down and dirty in the Florida Keys as a detective in the Apple TV+ dramedy series “Bad Monkey.” The actor stars in and executive produces the adaptation of Carl Hiaasen’s bestselling novel. Bill Lawrence also executive produces and serves as showrunner, adding to his Apple TV+ portfolio.

The official synopsis reads: “Andrew Yancy (Vaughn) has been bounced from the Miami Police Department and is now a health inspector in the Keys. But after stumbling upon a case that begins with a human arm fished up by tourists, he realizes that if he can prove murder, he’ll be back in. He just needs to get past a trove of Floridian oddballs and one bad monkey.”

The series co-stars Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Alex Moffat, L. Scott Caldwell, Rob Delaney, Meredith Hagner, Natalie Martinez, and Ronald Peet. Zach Braff, John Ortiz, Ashley Nicole Black, and Scott Glenn guest star,...

From the truly iconic Curb Your Enthusiasm to Veep, HBO has always had a taste for a good comedy, but still fails to get the right image of a channel in the eyes of the audience. In people's minds, as the home of The Sopranos, Succession, Game of Thrones and Euphoria, HBO will forever remain a dark channel with nothing to laugh about.

Granted, the comedies that HBO produces are also full of sarcasm and dark humor, but they're still just as entertaining and hilarious as CBS's family-friendly sitcoms. Hopefully, with this new project that combines some legendary names in the sitcom field, the network will attract even more people looking for a good laugh.

What Is HBO’s New Steve Carell Show?

As of today, the details of what the final product will look like are very vague. The executives are keeping the potential audience in the dark about most things,...

Steve Carell has been responsible for some of the funniest characters on the big and small screen this century. Brick Tamland in Anchorman, Michael Scott in The Office, Gru in Despicable Me, Mark R. Naird in Space Force — the list goes on. Now, per THR's reporting, Carell is set to add another notch to his funnyman belt with a starring role in a new HBO comedy from Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence and Scrubs' Matt Tarses.

The victor of a multi-platform bidding war, HBO have ordered the as-yet-untitled show straight-to-series, with a 10-episode first season in development. Lawrence and Tarses, who are currently hard at work on Apple TV's upcoming Vince Vaughn comedy series Bad Monkey, are set to write the first episode of this show, a single-camera comedy set on a college campus that centres around the complicated relationship between an author (presumably Carell) and his daughter.

In a...

Steve Carrell has jumped on board a currently untitled comedy series at HBO from Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses.

The 10-episode, half-hour series is set on a college campus, centring on an author’s complicated relationship with his daughter.

Also in news – Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik & more cast in Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’

Lawrence and Tarses co-authored the inaugural episode of the series. They also hold executive producer roles, alongside Carell who not only stars but also serves as an executive producer. Lawrence’s executive production duties are carried out through Doozer Productions, working in conjunction with Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer. The studio behind the production is Warner Bros. Television, where both Lawrence and Tarses have comprehensive agreements.

Recently, it was announced that Carrell is to team up with Tina Fey for the Netflix comedy series ‘The Four Seasons.’ His recent TV credits include the FX...

Known for his stellar performance in the popular sitcom The Office, Steve Carell is officially returning to Television with a new HBO comedy show. The actor, celebrated for his comedic brilliance, will headline the new show from Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses. Fans have expressed their excitement, reacting enthusiastically to the news of Carell’s upcoming project.

The Office | Credit: NBC

Steve Carell Joins a New HBO Comedy Show

Actor-comedian Steve Carell is set to lead a new untitled HBO single-camera comedy show, which received a straight-to-series order for 10 episodes amid a competitive bidding war among multiple platforms.

In addition to starring in the series, Carell is also producing the comedy show with Lawrence and Tarses. The show is set on a college campus and follows an author’s complicated relationship with his daughter.

Steve Carell | Credit: Eva Rinaldi/Wikimedia Commons

Bill Lawrence, the co-creator of the Emmy-winning series Ted Lasso,...

We’re getting the first look at Bad Monkey, Apple TV+’s upcoming comedy series from executive producer Bill Lawrence, starring and executive produced by Vince Vaughn. The 10-episode series will drop its first two episodes on August 14, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through October 9. You can see some first-look photos above and below.

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s bestelling novel, Bad Monkey, tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn) who has been bounced from the Miami Police department and is now a health inspector in the Keys. But after stumbling upon a case that begins with a human arm fished up by tourists, he realizes that if he can prove murder, he’ll be back in. He just needs to get past a trove of Floridian oddballs and one bad monkey.

The ensemble cast also includes L. Scott Caldwell, Rob Delaney, Meredith Hagner, Natalie Martinez, Alex Moffat, Michelle Monaghan,...

Steve Carell is set to star in a new single-camera half-hour comedy series from Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses. The currently untitled project has been given a straight-to-series order from HBO, TVLine has learned.

The 10-episode series’ logline states that the show is “set on a college campus, centering on an author’s complicated relationship with his daughter.”

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Steve Carell is heading to HBO.

The Oscar- and Emmy-nominated star of “The Office” has signed on to star in a new comedy series from creators Bill Lawrence (“Ted Lasso”) and Matt Tarses (“Scrubs”), Max announced Monday.

The untitled half-hour series, which received a 10-episode, straight-to-series order, will be set on a college campus and tell the story of an author’s complicated relationship with his daughter.

Lawrence, an Emmy winner, and Tarses, an Emmy nominee, will write the first episode and executive produce, along with Carell, Jeff Ingold, and Liza Katzer.

“The combination of Steve Carell and Bill Lawrence promises to be full of great laughs, warmth, and charm. We’re thrilled to be the home for this long overdue collaboration,” HBO & Max comedy EVP Amy Gravitt said in a statement.

“HBO has long been a standard bearer of quality TV. Getting to do a show there with Steve...

It's been a big day already for Bill Lawrence, as Apple TV+ revealed the first look at his latest Floridian comedy Bad Monkey, which stars Vince Vaughn as a slightly disgraced detective exiled to a job as a health inspector. Now HBO has announced a new comedy from Lawrence and his Scrubs buddy Matt Tarses (who's also worked on The Goldbergs and Sports Night) that will star Steve Carell. ...

HBO has given out a straight-to-series order for a single-camera comedy series starring Steve Carell from Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, Variety has learned.

The untitled, half-hour series has been given a 10 episode order. The official logline states that the show is “set on a college campus, centering on an author’s complicated relationship with his daughter.”

“HBO has long been a standard bearer of quality TV,” Lawrence said. “Getting to do a show there with Steve Carell is an immediate career highlight for Matt and me. Nothing can go wrong now.”

Lawrence and Tarses wrote the first episode of the series. Both serve as executive producers, with Carell also executive producing in addition to starring. Lawrence executive produces via Doozer Productions along with Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer. Warner Bros. Television, where both Lawrence and Tarses are under overall deals, is the studio.

“We’re so excited to be...

A college comedy series starring Steve Carell has landed a 10-episode, straight-to-series order from HBO. The half-hour, single-camera project comes from veteran comedy writer-producers Bill Lawrence (Ted Lasso) and Matt Tarses (The Goldbergs) and Warners Bros. Television where Lawrence’s Doozer banner and Tarses are under overall deals.

Written by Lawrence and Tarses — reuniting after working together on Lawrence’s medical comedy Scrubs, the untitled comedy is set on a college campus and centers on an author’s (Carell) complicated relationship with his daughter.

Carell and Tarses executive produce alongside Lawrence, Jeff Ingold, and Liza Katzer of Doozer Productions. The series is produced by Doozer in association with Warner Bros. Television.

“The combination of Steve Carell and Bill Lawrence promises to be full of great laughs, warmth, and charm. We’re thrilled to be the home for this long overdue collaboration,” said Amy Gravitt, EVP, HBO & Max Comedy Programming.

HBO...

Steve Carell is headed to HBO.

The former star of The Office will lead the cast of an untitled single-camera comedy from Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses (Scrubs). HBO has handed out a straight-to-series order of 10 episodes for the series, which had been the focus of a multiple-platform bidding war.

The comedy is set on a college campus and centers on an author’s complicated relationship with his daughter. Lawrence and Tarses, who previously collaborated on Scrubs and who are currently working on the Apple series Bad Monkey, will write the first episode.

“HBO has long been a standard bearer of quality TV. Getting to do a show there with Steve Carell is an immediate career highlight for Matt and me. Nothing can go wrong now,” Lawrence said.

The series hails from Warner Bros. Television, where Lawrence recently renewed his overall deal. Lawrence, Tarses and Carell will exec produce the comedy.

Apple TV+ today unveiled the premiere date and a first look at Bad Monkey, the upcoming comedy from award-winning executive producer Bill Lawrence and starring acclaimed actor, producer and screenwriter Vince Vaughn, who also serves as an executive producer.

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s New York Times bestselling novel and enduring cult favorite, the 10-episode series will make its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on August 14, 2024, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through October 9.

Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), who has been bounced from the Miami Police Department and is now a health inspector in the Keys.

But after stumbling upon a case that begins with a human arm fished up by tourists, he realizes that if he can prove murder, he’ll be back in. He just needs to get past a trove of Floridian oddballs and one bad monkey.

Exclusive: Mentorship Matters, an initiative aimed at boosting opportunities for emerging writers of color, has announced 25 writer mentees for its 2023 program, along with participating showrunner/executive producers.

Now in its second year, Mentorship Matters was developed by showrunners committed to using their positions to advocate for and help create opportunities for writers of color. With sponsorship from Amazon and AMC Networks, the program includes a year of consistent, in-depth mentorship and creative advocacy from a committed showrunner. It also includes guidance with developing and polishing an original writing sample along with panels and seminars with high-level industry professionals. Each mentee will be paired with a participating showrunner/executive producer mentor.

In the program’s inaugural year, 14 out of 23 mentees found representation, 8 were staffed on shows including Billions (Showtime), Criminal Minds: Evolution (Paramount+), Walker: Independence (The CW), and The Power (Amazon), and 1 signed an overall deal with Sony TV Studios.

Showrunners...

Exclusive: John Ortiz is set for a key recurring role opposite Vince Vaughn in Apple TV+ drama series Bad Monkey, written and executive produced by Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence. He replaces Arturo Luis Soria who had been originally cast in the role.

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s popular 2013 novel, Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas. And yes, there’s a monkey.

Ortiz will play Rogelio, a good Key West police detective who comes to his best friend and ex-partner, Andrew Yancy, with a life-changing assignment. It further complicates things that Rogelio’s husband is also Yancy’s attorney.

Cast also includes Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Meredith Hagner,...

Bill Lawrence’s upcoming Apple series “Bad Monkey” has found three new cast members, Variety has learned exclusively.

L. Scott Caldwell, Ronald Peet, and Charlotte Lawrence will all appear in the series, joining a cast that includes Vince Vaughn, Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Meredith Hagner, Rob Delaney, Arturo Luis Soria, and Natalie Martinez.

The series, based on the Carl Hiaasen novel of the same name, tells the story of Andrew Yancy, (Vaughn) a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas.

Caldwell will star as YaYa, is the grandmother of the Dragon Queen (Turner-Smith) and a true believer in the mystical power of Andros. She struggles to keep her granddaughter from losing her way and using her influence and power for cynical purposes.

Exclusive: Just days after she became available following the cancellation of NBC’s Ordinary Joe, Natalie Martinez has been tapped as a series regular opposite Vince Vaughn in the Apple TV+ drama series Bad Monkey, written and executive produced by Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence. Martinez replaces Ana Villafañe, who had originally been cast in the role.

Recastings are unfortunate but inevitable part of the business that could occur for various of reasons. In this case, I hear the character had been written older than Villafañe’s age, leading to the decision to replace her.

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s popular 2013 novel, Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a onetime detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas.

Exclusive: Apple has rounded out the ensemble cast for drama Bad Monkey, written and executive produced by Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence. Ana Villafañe (Younger), Rob Delaney (Catastrophe), newcomer Ahmed Elhaj and Arturo Luis Soria (Insatiable) are set as series regulars, joining Vince Vaughn, who also serves as EP, Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith and Meredith Hagner.

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s popular 2013 novel, Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas. And yes, there’s a monkey.

Villafañe plays Rosa, a Miami medical examiner who is starting to realize she may not be cut out for her job, so is happy to ditch work and help Yancy try to...

Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith and Meredith Hagner are set to star alongside Vince Vaughn in Bad Monkey, an Apple TV+ drama written and executive produced by Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence. Additionally, Marcos Siega has been tapped to direct and executive produce the first episode.

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s popular 2013 novel, Bad Monkey tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas. And yes, there’s a monkey.

Monaghan will play Bonnie, a mysterious woman trapped in an abusive, loveless marriage. She complicates Yancy’s life both personally and professionally as a secret from her past resurfaces.

Michelle Monaghan, Jodie Turner-Smith and Meredith Hagner have all been cast in the upcoming Apple drama series “Bad Monkey,” with Marcos Siega now onboard to direct the first episode and executive produce.

The trio of actresses join previously announced series lead Vince Vaughn in the show, which is being written by “Ted Lasso” co-creator Bill Lawrence. Based on Carl Hiaasen’s 2013 novel of the same name, the show tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas. And yes, there’s a monkey.

Monaghan plays Bonnie, a mysterious woman trapped in an abusive, loveless marriage. She complicates Yancy’s life both personally and professionally as a secret from her past resurfaces.

Monaghan is repped by ICM,...

Following their success with Ted Lasso, Bill Lawrence and Apple TV+ are looking to make lightning strike again.

The streamer has handed a 10-episode series order to Bad Monkey, a new Lawrence-penned drama series starring Vince Vaughn (True Detective), TVLine has learned.

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Based on Carl Hiaasen’s 2013 novel of the same name, Bad Monkey tells the...

Vince Vaughn has closed a deal to star in and executive produce Bad Monkey, a drama written and executive produced by Ted Lasso co-creator Bill Lawrence, which has received a formal 10-episode series order by Apple TV+.

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s popular 2013 novel, Bad Monkey, which had been in the works at Apple for a while, tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas. And yes, there’s a monkey.

The project hails from Warner Bros. Television, where Lawrence and his Doozer Productions are based. Lawrence executive produces Bad Monkey through Doozer alongside Matt Tarses and Jeff Ingold. Liza Katzer will serve as co-executive producer.

2020-21 Apple TV Pilots & Series...

“Ted Lasso” co-creator Bill Lawrence has landed a series order at Apple for the drama “Bad Monkey” with Vince Vaughn attached to star, Variety has learned.

The series is based on Carl Hiaasen’s 2013 novel of the same name. It tells the story of Andrew Yancy (Vaughn), a one-time detective demoted to restaurant inspector in Southern Florida. A severed arm found by a tourist out fishing pulls Yancy into the world of greed and corruption that decimates the land and environment in both Florida and the Bahamas. And yes, there’s a monkey.

Lawrence is writing the series and will also serve as executive producer under his Doozer Productions banner. Vaughn will executive produce in addition to starring. Doozer’s Jeff Ingold will also executive produce along with Matt Tarses. Doozer’s Liza Katzer will serve as co-executive producer. Warner Bros. Television, where Lawrence is under an overall deal, will produce for Apple.

Jamie Tarses, one of the most dynamic television executives of her era who helped build NBC’s Must-See TV lineup and went on to become the first woman to lead a Big Three network programming division, died Monday following complications from a cardiac event last fall, according to Tarses’ family. She was 56.

Tarses was born into the industry as the daughter of famed comedy writer-producer Jay Tarses. As a network executive, she made a big splash at NBC in the early 1990s, developing “Friends” and “Mad About You.” She made headlines when she moved over to ABC Entertainment as president during a turbulent era for the network and then-new parent company, Disney.

By age 32, Tarses was the first woman to head a network entertainment division — and one of the youngest execs ever to lead a Big Three — in her role as ABC Entertainment president from 1996 to 1999. During her tenure, she...

Jamie Tarses, the pioneering former ABC Entertainment president, died at 56 after suffering complications from a cardiac event last fall, according to her family. She was 56.

Tarses, who led ABC Entertainment from 1996 to 1999, made history as the first woman to run a broadcast network division. She was a prolific producer as well, leaving a mark at NBC, where she helped develop shows like “Friends” and “Mad About You.”

At ABC, Tarses was responsible for shows like “Dharma & Greg,” Aaron Sorkin’s “Sports Night,” David E. Kelley’s “The Practice” and Ryan Reynolds’ debut, “Two Guys, A Girl, and a Pizza Place.” After she left there in 1999, she produced works like “My Boys,” “Happy Endings” and “Marry Me.”

The longtime television producer adapted to the world of streaming, too. Most recently, she produced “The Wilds” for Amazon in 2020 and “The Mysterious Benedict Society” for Disney+. It will debut in 2021.

Her brother...

Jamie Tarses, who broke the glass ceiling for female TV executives as the first woman to run a network entertainment division, passed away this morning from complications stemming from a cardiac event she suffered last fall, according to her family. She was 56.

A superstar TV executive, Tarses was instrumental in developing such iconic shows as NBC’s Friends and Frasier and reached the pinnacle of the network programming executive ladder by age 32, becoming president of ABC Entertainment. Young and phenomenally successful, Tarses transcended the media business to become a bona fide celebrity who was both admired and scrutinized. The enormous pressure of the job and relentless media attention took a toll on her tenure, which Tarses followed with a successful second career as a TV producer of such popular shows as ABC’s Happy Endings, TBS’ My Boys, TNT’s Franklin & Bash and Amazon Prime Video’s The Wilds.

Jamie Tarses, the producer and groundbreaking TV executive who as president of ABC Entertainment from 1996-99 became the first woman to serve as head a network entertainment division, died Monday. She was 56.

Tarses died in Los Angeles of complications from a cardiac event suffered last fall, according to her family.

Survivors include her father, Jay Tarses, an Emmy winner who created such innovative TV shows as Buffalo Bill and The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, and her brother, Matt Tarses, who produced series including Sports Night, Scrubs and The Goldbergs.

Tarses had recently turned 32 when she was brought to ABC in June 1996 ...

Jamie Tarses, the producer and groundbreaking TV executive who as president of ABC Entertainment from 1996-99 became the first woman to serve as head a network entertainment division, died Monday. She was 56.

Tarses died in Los Angeles of complications from a cardiac event suffered last fall, according to her family.

Survivors include her father, Jay Tarses, an Emmy winner who created such innovative TV shows as Buffalo Bill and The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, and her brother, Matt Tarses, who produced series including Sports Night, Scrubs and The Goldbergs.

Tarses had recently turned 32 when she was brought to ABC in June 1996 ...

Exclusive: ABC has put in development Why You Will Marry The Wrong Person, a one-hour dramedy based on Alain de Botton’s article of the same name, from Mad Love and Alex, Inc. creator Matt Tarses, The Good Doctor‘s Freddie Highmore and his Alfresco Pictures, as well as Sony Pictures TV, where Tarses and Highmore’s Alfresco Pictures are under deals.

Written by Tarses, Why You Will Marry The Wrong Person explores multiple possible relationships in parallel universes, as each of the two leads, on the eve of marriage, wonders “what if?”

Tarses executive produces with Highmore and Claire Londy of Alfresco Pictures. Sony Pictures TV is the studio.

Scrubs alum Tarses most recently served as consulting producer on Sony TV’s Mad About You revival for Spectrum Originals.

Highmore stars in and serves as a executive producer on ABC/Sony TV’s hit medical drama The Good Doctor...

Editors Note: Earlier this week, Prentice Penny, showrunner of HBO’s Insecure, wrote a guest column this week for Deadline reflecting on the recent string of high-profile comedy series pulling older episodes featuring blackface scenes. In it, he wrote about Hollywood’s “sliding scale” that made it possible for so many episodes of so many series to make it through all layers of approval to the air with the offensive material. He called upon peers to “be uncomfortable and accountable,” urging them to make 60% of their shows’ staffs on every level people of color. The column received a strong response and opened a conversation. After we published it, black-ish executive producer Gail Lerner, a veteran comedy writer-producer and friend of Penny’s, reached out with her own response, sharing her internal struggle over an old TV episode featuring a blackface-related gag she was involved with, while offering her own plan...

Exclusive: Fox’s ramp-up in animation continues with a series order to Housebroken (fka Therapy Dog). The half-hour project, originally picked up by the network with a script plus presentation commitment, stars Lisa Kudrow, Clea Duvall and Nat Faxon and hails from writer-producer-actress Sharon Horgan, who also provides a voice, actress DuVall (Veep, American Horror Story), writer-producers Jennifer Crittenden & Gabrielle Allan (Veep, Divorce) and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment (A Million Little Things, Divorce).

Housebroken will be a co-production between Kapital and Fox Entertainment. It marks Kapital’s first animated series, With the pickup, Kapital is going 5 for 5 in pilots financed by the indie company going to series (including straight-to-series orders). It joins CBS’ 9Jkl and Fam , ABC’s A Million Little Things and CBS All Access’ Tell Me a Story.

Fox’s recently acquired animation house Bento Box (Bob’s Burgers) also will co-produce Housebroken and will do the animation.

Exclusive: Fox has put in development People Person, a single-camera comedy from Mad Love and Alex, Inc. creator Matt Tarses, Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment, and Wendi Trilling’s TrillTV. Sony Pictures TV, where Tarses has been under a deal for a long time, is co-producing with Fox Entertainment.

Written by Tarses, People Person is a comedy about the marriage of Sam, who doesn’t like people and doesn’t like doing things, and Emmy, the friendliest, most outgoing woman in the world.

Tarses executive produces with Kapital’s Kaplan and Dana Honor and TrillTV’s Trilling.

Kapital, TrillTV and Tarses previously teamed for blended family comedy Hannah Royce’s Questionable Choices, which went to pilot at CBS in 2017.

Scrubs alum Tarses serves as consulting producer on Sony TV’s Mad About You revival for Spectrum Originals.

TrillTV and Kapital have three multi-camera half-hour projects projects in development at CBS,...

YouTube has ordered a presentation for animated half-hour comedy Dumb People Town based on the Sklar Brothers hit podcast, from Randy and Jason Sklar, Daniel Van Kirk, Will Arnett’s Electric Avenue, Artists First and Sony Pictures TV, where Electric Avenue is under a deal.

It is part of YouTube’s (and all major streaming platforms’) push into adult animation. YouTube’s first full-length adult animated comedy series, Dallas & Robo, premiered on its Premium service earlier this year.

Written and executive produced by the Sklar brothers, Van Kirk and Julius Sharpe, Dumb People Town centers around a family in a Florida town struggling with the most important question of our times: Is it better to be dumb and happy? Or smart and miserable?

Arnett and Marc Forman executive produce via Electric Avenue along with Peter Principato and Joel Zadak via Artists First. Sony Pictures TV is distributing the project.

NBC has put in development Whites, a comedy based on the UK format, from Matt Tarses (Scrubs), Will Arnett and Sony Pictures TV, where Tarses and Arnett’s Electric Avenue banner are under deals.

Written by Tarses, Whites’ U.S. adaptation is set in the fast-paced and hilarious kitchen at a beautiful restaurant in upstate New York. Roland White, a disgraced wunderkind of the New York culinary scene, has spent the past three years here in exile, and things are complicated when the owner hires Emily, a new pastry chef who is as gluten-free, farm-to-table and gender-neutral-pronoun-using as anyone on the planet.

Tarses executive produces with Arnett, his producing partner Marc Forman, Peter Principato of Artists First and the original series’ creators Oliver Lansley and Matt King.

Lansley and King’s Whites, starring Alan Davies as the executive chef at a country house hotel, had a...

Network: ABC. Episodes: 10 (half-hour). Seasons: One. TV show dates: March 28, 2018 — May 16, 2018. Series status: Cancelled. Performers include: Zach Braff, Tiya Sircar, Hillary Anne Matthews, Michael Imperioli, Audyssie James, and Elisha Henig. TV show description: Based on the "StartUp" podcast by Alex Blumberg, the Alex, Inc. TV show was developed for television by Matt Tarses. The family sitcom centers on Alex Schuman (Braff). In addition to being a husband and father of two, Alex is a successful radio journalist. One day, he decides to toss his career and fortune to the wind. He quits his job in order to found his own company. Read More…...

ABC has canceled its freshman comedy “Alex, Inc.”

The single-camera half-hour was based on Alex Blumber’s podcast entitled “StartUp” about a man who quits his job to start his own company. Zach Braff executive produced and starred in the series and also directed a few episodes.

The series also starred Michael Imperioli, Tiya Sircar, Hillary Anne Matthews, Elisha Henig and Audyssie James. Matt Tarses served as executive producer and writer; John Davis and John Fox were executive producers from Davis Entertainment; Blumberg, Chris Gilberti and Matt Lieber from Gimlet Media also executive produced in association with Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios.

“Alex, Inc” averaged a lackluster 3.5 million total viewers and a 0.87 rating in the 18-49 demo.

ABC previously cancelled both “Quanitco” and “Designated Survivor” earlier on Friday, while freshman comedy “Splitting Up Together” had been renewed. ABC has also renewed “The Goldbergs,” “The Good Doctor,” “Grey’s Anatomy,...

From Zach Braff and Matt Tarses–the team that brought you Scrubs–comes a new ABC single-camera comedy Alex, Inc. Inspired by the podcast StartUp, it stars Braff in the role of radio journalist Alex Schuman, who quit his job to start his own company and podcast his way through the experience. "This is inspired by a very true story of a man named Alex Blumberg who left This American Life, because he had this idea that no one had quite yet mastered how to monetize a…...

Over the past couple of days, a ton of trailers have been unleashed for the new series coming to CBS and ABC. I thought I'd just post them all in one place for you to watch at your leisure. There are actually a lot of great shows that look like they're worth checking out. Some of my favorites that I'll be checking out include The Good Doctor, Alex, Inc., The Crossing, Seal Team, Young Sheldon, and S.W.A.T. Whether or not these series will be good has yet to be seen. Check out the trailers below and let us know which ones you'll be tuning in to watch!

The Good Doctor

Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore, “Bates Motel”), a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, relocates from a quiet country life to join a prestigious hospital’s surgical unit. Alone in the world and unable to personally connect with those around him,...

ABC has released trailers for its new comedies and dramas as part of its 2017-18 slate. Watch them all below. The Mayor – Comedy Produced by ABC Studios, Brownstone Productions and Bluegrass FanFare. From writer/executive producer Jeremy Bronson and executive producers Daveed Diggs, Jamie Tarses, Scott Stuber, Dylan Clark and James Griffiths. Alex, Inc. — Comedy Produced by Sony Television. From writer/executive producer Matt Tarses and executive producers Zach Braff…...

Sometimes, you’ve got to go big or go homeless.

That’s what Alex Schulman (Zach Braff) is risking in ABC’s new comedy “Alex, Inc.” The accomplished radio journalist has it all: respect, a loving wife and two kids … and a burning desire to change it all. When he decides to quit his job to pursue his dream of starting his own company, he soon realizes that it’s not easy as it may have seemed.

Read More: New Fall TV Shows: Here’s Your First Look at the 2017-2018 TV Season

The series is inspire by Gimlet Media’s “StartUp,” a podcast that delves into what it’s really like to get a business off the ground and stay off the ground. It’s co-hosted by Lisa Chow, previously senior editor at FiveThirtyEight, reporter at NPR’s Planet Money and Wnyc.

Braff joins fellow cast members Tiya Sircar as Rooni,...

ABC has picked up buzzy single-camera comedy pilot Start Up to series, which is untitled at the moment. (Crackle has a drama series titled StartUp). The Untitled Zach Braff/Matt Tarses Project is toplined and directed by Scrubs star Braff. It joins the other half-hour pilot picked up to series by ABC, ABC Studios’ The Mayor, which is executive produced by Tarses’ sister, Jamie Tarses. The series, which marks Braff’s return to ABC where Scrubs concluded its run and…...

ABC has ordered to a series a new sitcom starring Zach Braff. The project was formerly working under the title “Start Up.” Based on the podcast StartUp, the sitcome follows Alex Schuman (Braff), a brilliant radio journalist, husband and father of two who is about to do something crazy—quit his job and start his own company. He quickly discovers it’s going to be a lot harder than he thought. Braff stars, directs and is executive producer with Matt Tarses (“Scrubs”) and Davis Entertainment (“Dr. Ken,” “Blacklist”). Read More See Zach Braff's latest Power Move. PowerRank: 3375 ...