The WB's new VIP: as the network's new president of entertainment, David Janollari hopes to continue the WB's history of queer inclusivity.The pool of out gay men and women in power positions in Hollywood just got larger. David Janollari, whose producing partner Robert Greenblatt was installed last year as president of entertainment at Showtime, recently got the plum job of president of entertainment at the WB television network. But while Greenblatt can target gay viewers explicitly oil Showtime, Janollari faces strict broadcast network standards. "You've got to look beyond the bells and whistles A slang English term for exceptional features in some product. In the computer field, it typically refers to functions in software that may be greatly appreciated by some users, even though they may not be necessary most of the time. of cable," he says from his new office. "These are changed times, and in both broadcast and cable there is a much more open environment to gay characters." As he comes into the network, there are no gay characters on the WB, but Janollari says the network is a pioneer in its treatment of gay characters, including Jack on Dawson's Creek Dawson's Creek is an American primetime television drama which aired from January 20, 1998, to May 14, 2003, on The WB Television Network. The lead production company was Sony Pictures Television. and Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Willow. "I look at Dawson's as the seminal show for this network," says Janollari, who explains that the WB's core audience is females between the ages of 12 and 34. "This network was the first to spearhead gay hits, and I think that's because the younger audiences have grown up in a more open world." The new job marks a return to Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) . for Janollari, who spent over 10 years working as au executive in the TV production arm responsible for such shows as Friends and Suddenly Susan Suddenly Susan is an American sitcom that was broadcast on NBC from 1996 to 2000. Suddenly Susan's headlining star was Brooke Shields, who got the show after a guest appearance on Friends in the episode "The One After the Superbowl". . Even though there are no gay characters on-screen on·screen or on-screen adj. & adv. 1. As shown on a movie, television, or display screen. 2. Within public view; in public. in the current lineup, Janollari has inherited shows like Jack & Bobby, from out producer Greg Berlanti (Everwood), and the family drama The Mountain, both of which have plenty of scope for potential gay characters or themes. Will he actively pursue gay elements for WB shows? Janollari remains vague but positive. "I can't promise gay programming," he says, hesitating, "but it would be really remiss re·miss adj. 1. Lax in attending to duty; negligent. 2. Exhibiting carelessness or slackness. See Synonyms at negligent. of me if I didn't try to find shows on this network that accurately reflect gay life." Goodridge is U.S. editor of Screen International. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion