R. Greg Johnston inks Endemol deal

Two-year pact for former MTV executive

By Nellie Andreeva

Nov 24, 2008, 12:40 AM ET

Reality producer R. Greg Johnston has inked a two-year overall deal with Endemol USA to create and executive produce unscripted series.

Johnston is a 16-year MTV veteran who joined the cable network as an intern in its early days and worked his way up to vp in the music development department and then an MTV-based producer.

He played a key role in the development of such signature MTV reality series as "The Osbournes" and "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica," which he executive produced. For his work on "Osbournes," he shared a best nonfiction program Emmy in 2002.

Johnston also was part of the original development team of the MTV Movie Awards and was involved with the MTV Video Music Awards and such series as "Rich Girls," "Miss Seventeen," "The Ashlee Simpson Show" and "The Wade Robson Project."

"While comedy reality is my forte, I have a diverse background, and I love challenges working in new genres," Johnston said. "With Endemol's worldwide connections, I think this could be a really good partnership."

As an independent producer for the past three years, Johnston executive produced the Bernie Mac reality pilot "Welcome to the Family" for NBC and is executive producing Bravo's upcoming series "Chef Academy," starring popular French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Johnston is repped by UTA and attorney John Farrell.

R. Greg Johnston inks Endemol deal

Two-year pact for former MTV executive

By Nellie Andreeva

Nov 24, 2008, 12:40 AM ET