‘Kevin Can Wait’ Changes Showrunners

There’s another change at the top of a new broadcast series.

Kevin Can Wait showrunner Bruce Helford has exited and will be replaced by Rob Long, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The news comes two weeks after CBS picked up the Kevin James starrer for a full 22-episode season. Helford co-created the multicamera comedy alongside Rock Reuben. His departure stems from creative differences he had with James and his frequent collaborator Reuben.

For Long, meanwhile, Kevin Can Wait marks his return to broadcast television following TBS’ Sullivan & Son. His credits also include Cheers and Love & Money.

Kevin Can Wait becomes the third freshman show to see a change at the top. Fox replaced showrunners on Son of Zorn and NBC’s midseason DC Comics comedy Powerless saw its creator exit the series.

The 2016-17 broadcast season is starting to mirror last season, in which multiple showrunners departed and network series featured a startling number of recastings in what one insider described as the season of “bad marriages” as nets continue to face the pressure of “too much TV.”