ABC elects Bochco as 'Chief'
Bochco to 'Chief'
Oct 8, 2005
There's a new power in the White House.
Veteran producer Steven Bochco has been recruited to take the showrunner reins of ABC/Touchstone TV's promising freshman drama "Commander in Chief," Touchstone confirmed Friday.
Meanwhile, Touchstone said that series creator/executive producer Rod Lurie's Battle Plan Prods. has signed a new overall deal with the studio. With Bochco coming on board "Chief," Lurie will remain an executive producer on the show but will move on from day-to-day involvement with the series to develop new projects for Touchstone under the overall deal.
Executive producer Marc Frydman, Lurie's partner in Battle Plan Prods., also will no longer have day-to-day involvement with the show but will work alongside Lurie to develop new projects for the studio. He'll also retain his exec producer title on "Chief."
"Chief," which stars Geena Davis as the first female president of the U.S., has undergone some behind-the-scenes changes during the past few weeks as Lurie turned his attention from supervising the writer's room to directing "Chief" episodes.
While Lurie and Frydman are moving on, another executive producer, Dee Johnson, will remain at "Chief."
Bochco and Lurie said they've each admired the other's work for some time.
"I'm excited about working with my new partners at Touchstone in helping to realize Touchstone's and Rod Lurie's vision," Bochco said.
Lurie said he's "excited to see how much more (Bochco) will electrify" the show.
He added that "Marc Frydman and I are overwhelmed by the confidence Touchstone Television has shown in us, and we're thrilled to continue trying to knock 'em out of the park."
Meanwhile, Touchstone president Mark Pedowitz praised Lurie and Bochco.
"We thank Rod Lurie for creating 'Commander in Chief' and shepherding its successful launch, and we appreciate Steven Bochco coming on board to provide his leadership as we continue through the season," Pedowitz said.
Bochco, whose long list of credits includes ABC's "NYPD Blue" and most recently FX's "Over There," signed a three-year overall development and production pact with Touchstone last month (HR 9/26).
Veteran producer Steven Bochco has been recruited to take the showrunner reins of ABC/Touchstone TV's promising freshman drama "Commander in Chief," Touchstone confirmed Friday.
Meanwhile, Touchstone said that series creator/executive producer Rod Lurie's Battle Plan Prods. has signed a new overall deal with the studio. With Bochco coming on board "Chief," Lurie will remain an executive producer on the show but will move on from day-to-day involvement with the series to develop new projects for Touchstone under the overall deal.
Executive producer Marc Frydman, Lurie's partner in Battle Plan Prods., also will no longer have day-to-day involvement with the show but will work alongside Lurie to develop new projects for the studio. He'll also retain his exec producer title on "Chief."
"Chief," which stars Geena Davis as the first female president of the U.S., has undergone some behind-the-scenes changes during the past few weeks as Lurie turned his attention from supervising the writer's room to directing "Chief" episodes.
While Lurie and Frydman are moving on, another executive producer, Dee Johnson, will remain at "Chief."
Bochco and Lurie said they've each admired the other's work for some time.
"I'm excited about working with my new partners at Touchstone in helping to realize Touchstone's and Rod Lurie's vision," Bochco said.
Lurie said he's "excited to see how much more (Bochco) will electrify" the show.
He added that "Marc Frydman and I are overwhelmed by the confidence Touchstone Television has shown in us, and we're thrilled to continue trying to knock 'em out of the park."
Meanwhile, Touchstone president Mark Pedowitz praised Lurie and Bochco.
"We thank Rod Lurie for creating 'Commander in Chief' and shepherding its successful launch, and we appreciate Steven Bochco coming on board to provide his leadership as we continue through the season," Pedowitz said.
Bochco, whose long list of credits includes ABC's "NYPD Blue" and most recently FX's "Over There," signed a three-year overall development and production pact with Touchstone last month (HR 9/26).
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