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After a long search, E! Entertainment Television has tapped former ABC Studios head of comedy Kevin Plunkett as its first-ever dedicated scripted executive. Plunkett has been named SVP Scripted Programming, overseeing all aspects of E!’s scripted development and reporting to Lisa Berger, President of Entertainment Programming. The hire is part of the strategy of NBCUniversal’s cable maven Bonnie Hammer, who took over E! after the NBC Universal-Comcast merger, to expand the programming of the the channel — known for its celebrity news and reality programs — into scripted territory. E!’s scripted efforts will be “uniquely tailored to appeal to the E! audience,” Berger said. Plunkett exited ABC Studios as part of ABC new topper Paul Lee’s executive overhaul at both the network and studio in June. Plunkett spent 6 1/2 years at ABC Entertainment, most recently as SVP Comedy Development at ABC Studios. Prior to that, he served as Head of Current Comedy Programming at ABC. His resume also includes stints at Paramount Network Television, ABC Family and Disney Channel.
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E! doing scripted.
Kevin is going to be the least busy exec in Hollywood.
You can send him material but WTF is E! going to do with it really?
You can’t say that with Bonnie Hammer in charge. She feels E! can and should do more and she’s more than likely correct in her assessment. A guilty pleasure drama would be nice.
He’s used to it. Ask him how many shows he got on air at ABC Family. I always wonder what it’s like to be a development person somewhere that never actually gets anything produced.
KP is a great guy and an excellent executive. Smart pick. Writers love him and with this hire the network becomes a legitimate destination for the creative community
KP is a very smart guy who drank the Kool Aid way too much at ABC Studios. Developed shoddy material from the usual suspects and got shown the door anyway.
Good luck to him at E! I doubt anything will come of it, though.
Strange gig for Kevin. But who knows maybe he can do something with this position.
Definitely a good guy.
I’m a writer who’s worked with Plunkett before. He is smart, funny, additive and collaborative. He respects writers and will attract talent to E. Congrats to E for landing him and good luck in the new job, Plunkett.
This is a very odd way to announce scripted at E!… “Very first scripted executive”??? E! ventured into scripted in 2006-2007 and actually developed some really great scripts both comedy and drama with some very large auspices attached.
E should get into the daytime soap business.
Have worked with Kevin a couple of times. Smart executive and a really great guy – not something that can be said about many in that position.
Good for E! He’s a smart pic, a great exec. & a shoe-in to win The Hope this Year.
Plunkett was too smart for ABC. His notes were always better than the network’s. He should be happy to be out of there. Best of luck to him.
I developed with Kevin. Great guy. An exec who actually gave really great notes! I’m sure he’ll make things happen at E!
Kevin is a decent exec and I’m glad he got another gig but doubt E will actually green-light anything. They barely have enough $ for the reality shows.
So happy Kevin has landed. My partner and I have worked with him off and on for years, at ABC, Paramount and all the way back to Fox Family. He’s a fantastic executive who isn’t afraid to voice his opinions, and he’ll back you if you feel passionate. He’s also very funny, which is a rare and important trait for a comedy exec.
Any time a network is interested in and putting an effort toward developing and (presumably) airing scripted original content, that is a good time for everyone in this town. I hope something good comes of this… E! has an audience, and that audience surely watches scripted shows on other networks.
Also worth mentioning, E! already has a very good scripted comedy show… “After Lately.” I really like it when it aired it’s short first season, and apparently they are doing a second season. The show is definitely good sign for the future of E! scripted.
Kevin is one of the smarter execs I’ve ever worked with. It’s true that his notes were often way better and more astute than anything from the network. ABC Studios lost a really good exec, but now it’s E!’s gain. Hope they don’t waste him.
@Wally- Good to see that some folks on here ACTUALLY have long-standing knowledge and memory of facts. I too remember E! doing scripted original movies several years ago. And they were ACTUALLY watchable and entertaining!!