Gail Berman

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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. However, during her time as president several critically acclaimed shows met their demise due to poor scheduling. Some, such as Keen Eddie, Firefly and Wonderfalls were axed after only a handful of episodes were aired. Others, such as Futurama and Family Guy suffered low ratings due to constant schedule changes, but nonetheless gathered a strong fan base and enjoyed high DVD sales and strong ratings when the shows were moved to a regular time slot on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.

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.[1] A veteran of television (along with Grey) with little experience working within film, she had a "matter-of-fact and sometimes abrasive style" that ruffled feathers among the producers and agents used to a more genteel handling at the studios.[2] In January of 2007 months of speculation about her position were confirmed when it was announced she would be leaving with more than two years remaining on her contract.[3]

Returning to television, she partnered with Lloyd Braun (himself a former television network executive) to form BermanBraun and in March of 2007 they signed a three year, first look deal with NBC Universal Television to develop television programming. [4]

Berman is married to sitcom writer Bill Masters and they have two children.

[edit] External links

• Gail Berman at the Internet Movie Database
• [5] Los Angeles Times story on Berman's departure
• [6] Forbes article detailing Berman's deal with NBC