FOX BROADCASTING CHIEF QUITS ENTERTAINMENT PRESIDENT EXPECTED TO HELP NEW PARAMOUNT HEAD.

Byline: Greg Hernandez Staff Writer

In a stunning move, Fox Broadcasting Co. entertainment president Gail Berman is quitting her job at the network and is expected to take a senior executive post at Paramount Pictures, it was announced Tuesday.

Berman, who had been in her job at Fox since 2000, would work as chief lieutenant to new studio head Brad Grey, who succeeded Sherry Lansing at Paramount less than a month ago.

During Berman's tenure, Fox launched the monster ratings hit ``American Idol,'' the popular soap ``The O.C.,'' and the critically acclaimed shows ``24'' and ``Arrested Development.''

``Ms. Berman is one of the most talented executives in the entertainment industry, with great relationships, exceptional taste, and an amazing creative track record,'' Paramount said in a statement. ``She would be a great addition to the Paramount team.''

Paramount said late Tuesday that it hoped to conclude its negotiations with Berman ``shortly.'' Fox did not comment on Berman's planned departure.

Berman held the entertainment president job at Fox longer than anyone since the network was launched nearly 20 years ago. She had been in talks with Fox about renewing her current contract, which was due to expire later this year.

``I have a feeling that she probably did whatever she could already at Fox and this is probably a greater challenge for her,'' said media analyst Harold Vogel of Vogel Capital Management. ``She's done a great job at Fox, brought it up very far, so it might be more fun to be at Paramount.''

But Berman has not always had the Midas touch at Fox. After the breakout ratings smash ``Joe Millionaire,'' the network stumbled badly the next year with ``The Next Joe Millionaire.'' It has also had many other reality show flops, including such failures as ``My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss'' and ``The Rebel Millionaire'' and is thought to be too dependent on the ``Idol'' franchise.

Prior to coming to Fox, Berman was president of Regency Television and had developed the hit comedy ``Malcolm in the Middle'' for the network. She also developed the cult hit ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' for the WB Network when she was president of Sandollar Television.

At Paramount, Berman would work with Grey to develop a film slate aimed at reversing the studio's sagging box office fortunes.

``She's very skilled in knowing what would appeal to the public and that's what Paramount needs,'' Vogel said. ``Brad Grey is bringing in new blood basically for programming sensibility.''

Grey and Berman inherit an upcoming slate of films that includes ``War of the Worlds,'' starring Tom Cruise and directed by Steven Spielberg; ``Elizabethtown'' directed by Cameron Crowe and starring Orlando Bloom; and a remake of ``The Longest Yard,'' starring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock.

But Paramount had another lackluster year in 2004 with only one release (``Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events'') crossing the $100 million mark in domestic box-office grosses.

``Mean Girls'' and ``The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie'' were also hits, but such ambitious fare as ``Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow,'' ``Alfie,'' ``Team America: World Police,'' ``The Stepford Wives'' and ``The Manchurian Candidate'' all failed to click at the box office.

``Paramount has been stumbling, not really outstanding in any earnings performance,'' Vogel said.

Greg Hernandez, [phone]

greg.hernandez(at)dailynews.com

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(color) Gail Berman

In talks with Paramount