In 2011, Robert Greenblatt left Showtime to become the Chairman of NBC. At first, I hated him because I blamed him for cancelling Queer As Folk at his old job, and then I was told it was the producers’ decision, not his. Therefore, I had a new approach about him running the network.
You probably do not know his name, but he has done a lot to help make NBC successful after Jeff Zucker nearly destroyed it. He helped launch The Voice, The Chicagos, Smash, live shows, Undateable: Live, This Is Us, The Good Place, brought back Will & Grace and so much more. Today, as the fall season begins, NBC is the only network who is going into the season strong with new and old shows.
His departure surprises me because the network is in a very strong place. My theory to why he is leaving is that the death of Craig Zadan, who co-produced the live musicals, hit him hard. Since Greenblatt loves to do live television and Broadway, I think he will be joining Zadan’s old partner Neil Moren.
That is just my guess. He told his staff in a memo, “It is with very mixed feelings that I have decided to leave NBC after nearly eight years. I love this network and our parent company, but since NBC is back on track and has achieved such great success I think it’s time for me to turn to a new challenge.”
Before NBC, he and his producing partner David Janollari, who ran The CW for a short time, created shows like Six Feet Under, One and One, and Eve. I wish him the best and my thanks for creating so many enjoyable shows.
Who will be replacing him? His shoes are so big, it is going to take two people. George Cheeks, Co-President, Universal Cable Productions and Wilshire Studios, and Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Reality Group. Both who served under him and will continue with his vision that has served the network so well. Or else!
