NBC’s Head of Comedy Development Tal Rabinowitz to Exit Amid Restructuring

Network streamlines comedy and drama operations

NBC is shaking up the way it handles scripted programming, the network said Tuesday.

The network has restructured its scripted operation, doing away with separate development and current areas and combining them into two programming divisions, for drama and comedy series.

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Pearlena Igbokwe, who had previously served as head of drama series development, has been named executive vice president of drama programming, which will handle development and current operations for all drama series.

Vernon Sanders, formerly head of current programming, will serve as executive vice president of comedy programming, heading up development and current operations for the network’s comedy series, as well as overseeing returning dramas during the transition.

Both Igbokwe and Sanders will report to NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke.

Under the restructuring, Tal Rabinowitz, who had been head of comedy development, will depart the company.

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“I’m excited about this new structure because I believe it will strengthen our programming by essentially eliminating the often difficult handoff going from the development of a new show into the current process,” Salke said of the restructuring.

“Also, I believe that we have two of the best and most creative executives in the television business in Pearlena and Vernon, who will now be the chief lieutenants of scripted programming from the inception of an idea through the life of a show.  I also want to thank Tal Rabinowitz, who has been an invaluable comedy resource for us during the rebuilding of this network, for her passion and dedication to this company for the past three years.”

Igbokwe (pictured), who came aboard NBC two years ago from Showtime, delivered the hit dramas “The Blacklist” and “Chicago P.D.” during her first development season with the network, and developed the upcoming dramas “State of Affairs,” “Allegiance” and “Odyssey” this year.

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