Gail Berman
Gail Berman (born August 17, 1956) is the former president of entertainment at Fox Broadcasting Company and the former president of Viacom's Paramount Pictures.
She graduated from the University of Maryland in 1978. With a college friend, Susan Rose,she co-produced the Broadway productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1982), Almost an Eagle (1982), Hurlyburly (1984), Blood Knot (1985), and The Nerd (1987).
Berman later moved into television production, becoming executive producer on such Fox shows as Malcolm in the Middle, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. In 2001 she was named President of the Fox TV Network. As such, she helped bring such shows as 24, House, and American Idol to the airwaves.
She was the executive who made the final decision to cancel the cult sci-fi series Firefly.
In 2003, she was awarded the Women in Film Lucy Award in recognition of her excellence and innovation in her creative works that have enhanced the perception of women through the medium of television.[1]
She remained at Fox until May 2005, at which time she accepted the position of president of Paramount Pictures from newly appointed Chairman & CEO Brad Grey. It would be a short-lived tenure, with rumors of her demise circulating within the film industry shortly after she was hired.[2]
Returning to television, she partnered with Lloyd Braun (himself a former television network executive) to form BermanBraun and in March 2007 they signed a three year, first look deal with NBC Universal Television to develop television programming.[3] In July 2007, BermanBraun entered into a strategic alliance with Pepsi to create original online programming for which Pepsi would have a first look to sponsor. In December 2007, BermanBraun partnered with producer Thom Beers to exclusively schedule a two hour block of unscripted "docudrama" programming for NBC.
Berman is married to sitcom writer Bill Masters and they have two children.
[edit] References
- ^ http://wif.org/past-recipients
- ^ Eller, Claudia (2007-01-10). "Berman appears to be on way out — Los Angeles Times". Latimes.com. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-berman10jan10,1,5380793.story?coll=la-headlines-business. Retrieved 2009-05-09.[dead link]
- ^ "Berman, Braun Sign With NBC". Forbes.com. 2007-03-06. http://www.forbes.com/digitalentertainment/2007/03/06/cx_ja_0306varietytv.html. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
| Preceded by Doug Herzog |
President of FOX 2000-2005 |
Succeeded by Peter Liguori |
[edit] External links
- Gail Berman at the Internet Movie Database
- Los Angeles Times story on Berman's departure
- Forbes article detailing Berman's deal with NBC
