NBC boss Bob Greenblatt announced a number of deals intended to bolster the network’s currently weak comedy lineup, along with an extension of Jimmy Fallon’s contract. Fallon is locked in as host of “The Tonight Show” for six more years, through 2021.
Two comedy deals picked up: Mike Schur of “Parks and Rec” will create “A Good Place” (working title), a concept ordered in the room. “The guy who brought Amy Poehler to TV will bring another strong, very complicated lead female character,” Greenblatt said. It’s about a woman “wrestling with what it means to be good.” No start date was announced for the half-hour series.
Tina Fey and Robert Carlock (“30 Rock”) will do an as yet untitled comedy with about a millennial woman who takes a job at a cable news network where her mother happens to work. The half-hour will be written by Wigfield. (The joke here is that the series is bound to land on Netflix per “Kimmy Schmidt.”)
For obvious reasons (Donald Trump), Greenblatt announced “The Celebrity Apprentice” will not produce a new season but will return next year with a new host. (The joke here was, perhaps Megyn Kelly?) “The world likes a star and he’s a star,” said Greenblatt, explaining the current fascination with Trump.
