Now that the Olympics are over, the real games are about to begin at NBC. The Peacock begins yet another campaign to rebuild primetime this week -- and helping lead the battle is unscripted chief Paul Telegdy.
On the job for a little over a year now, the former BBC Worldwide America executive is about to take the wraps off his biggest slate of programming yet-- an unscripted comedy show from Jerry Seinfeld ("The Marriage Ref"), a genealogy-themed hour from Lisa Kudrow ("Who Do You Think You Are") and a new family-friendly game show ("Minute to Win It").
Telegdy recently agreed to be Grilled by TheWrap about the fast-changing reality landscape, why the coming changes to "American Idol" could be an opportunity for competitors -- and his secret passion for a certain VH1 show.
The good thing about being at NBC right now is that you've got lots of real estate. You have every shot in the world to find a hit. What are you doing to take advantage of that?
Clearly what NBC needs at the moment is a mix of stability and innovation. In my area, post- Olympics, we're responsible for about seven hours a week ... Arguably, the three new things that we're trying are new whichever way you look at them.
We're also hunkered down around the solid return of our franchises, "The Biggest Loser" and "Celebrity Apprentice."
Has your budget gone up this year? Will you have more at-bats in 2010, particularly post-Jay in prime?
You know (NBC U Television Entertainment chairman) Jeff Gaspin's mantra is sort of stability and strategic decision-making rather than a particular haste to try new stuff. We've got ample resources (for) research and development ... and shows that demand to be on the air will get on the air. The long-term has to be one of some big swings ... with that daring-to-fail attitude.
You had some success last December with "The Sing Off." Will there be another season?
We'll be bringing "Sing Off" back. We don't know when. But we believe we've found a little gem, one we can buff up and make better.
After a few years of no new reality hits, it looks like CBS has found one with "Undercover Boss." That has to be encouraging as you prepare to launch three new shows.
Hopefully we're in a cycle where innovation will be rewarded by audiences. There will continue be some successes but failures. But "Undercover Boss" can only be called a hit any way you put it. We're hopeful people are looking for new stuff.
Reality was in a down part of the cycle. (Now) there's a lot of change on the horizon. You've got the "Idol" to "X-Factor" transition, which is as inevitable as anything. That will bring about a change, and a version of instability to the market.
Do you think the coming changes to "Idol" give other networks a chance to jump in with new performance competition series?
I don't think that subgenre is dead creatively.
