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EXCLUSIVE: I hear ABC’s plan to restore the current departments on the network and studio side is moving full steam ahead, and Lynn Barrie and Stephanie Leifer are in negotiations to head the current teams on the ABC and ABC Studios side, respectively. ABC folded current into the drama and comedy development departments a year ago as part of a major executive restructuring that also saw all non-creative divisions at the network and the studio being merged. But a month ago, ABC Entertainment Group president Stephen McPherson indicated that he was considering reverting to the previous setup of separate development and current departments, especially as the network is gearing up to launch 9 new scripted series next season that will need attention in their freshman year. The move follows a similar decision by NBC last month when the network reinstated its current department under EVP Vernon Sanders. CBS and Fox have maintained dedicated current programming departments. Barrie most recently served as VP comedy series at ABC, while Leifer has been VP drama series at ABC Studios.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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Oh, goodie. Because there aren’t enough people at ABC Studio/Network giving note.
This news shouldn’t matter much. The shows that actually work on ABC don’t take their lame notes anyway. Just ask Levitan or Lloyd. Networks flip flop on current/no current all the time. It’s a way to detract from failure. Just ask NBC.
I know Stephanie and Lynn and have worked with them both. Stephanie is great, smart, and genuinely nice. Lynn can be a bitch from hell, but I’ll tell you this. I’ll take Lynn in my fox hole any day. Lynn’s a tough lady, and doesn’t take any s**t.
Any moves are good moves at ABC.
Stephanie Leifer was one of the least humorous executives to ever work in a comedy division. Such good news that she’s coming back.
She laughed at things that were funny, Ed. Maybe you should look at your old pitches or scripts and see if they fit the bill upon closer inspection…
Oh hi Stephanie. Ed is right, you have no sense of humor.
She laughed at things that were funny! Hallelujah. Just what we all look for in an executive at a multibillion-dollar, mulit-national entertainment conglomerate, dictating the viewing habits and tastes of a world culture. The propensity to laugh at things that are funny.
I mean, it’s better than NOT laughing at things that are funny. I’ll give you that. But I do think it’s setting the bar very low. Like, screening for Olympic athletes, and celebrating one that knows how to “run.”
congrats to stephanie and lynn! they are both fantastic executives and they will add a lot to the new and returning shows.
Stephanie is terrific. One of the smartest, most down to earth, pragmatic execs out there. And if she laughs at something you know it’s funny…she’s not fake like so many douchebags out there that squeal “Hi-larious!” at everything.
Stephanie is not only a wonderful executive but also a great person. She has spent almost 18 years at ABC. I’m sorry that Ed when you pitched her a remake of “Small Wonder” she didn’t laugh. She’s also not “coming back”. She’s been there all this time. Get in the biz buddy.
I agree with Anonymous and know, from working with Stephanie at one time, that she is extremely bright and has a keen eye for talented writers. (She was involved in selling the film rights of Grisham’s novels when his novels still appealed to studio execs). Too bad the comments section has become the dumping ground for the vitriol of cynical, jealous and mean-spirited people.
Having worked with her recently, Lynn Barrie is one of the most honest, helpful execs out there…glad she is getting this opportunity.
“Too bad the comments section has become the dumping ground for the vitriol of cynical, jealous and mean-spirited people.”
Yeah, those kind of folks have really spoiled Hollywood!
Will all the network publicists please refrain from posting their accolades!!!!
Just another addition to the positive comments about Stephanie — one of the brightest, most down-to-earth and trustworthy execs in this biz. It saddens me that she’s the anomaly around Hollywood.
Deja Vu @ ABC/ABC Studios – they did the exact same thing 5 years ago … This network & studio is so mismanaged it’s laughable. And Jonathan, you’re wrong – Leifer was fired from her post as head of the comedy dev’t team at ABC, then re-hired @ ABC Studios a year later. Get your facts straight. But shhe’s a smart exec & knows how to work the machine … Current will be in good hands with Stephanie.
did a pilot with Lynn when she was @ Fox and she is great to work with, refreshingly does tell the truth and works to make a “meeting of the minds” between creative and networks…she is a winner.
Lynn’s definitely no nonsense, but you know she’s not playing you.