pchome pchome

From:Post Gatezze
Date: February 12, 2004
TV Q&A with Rob Owen
Q: We heard that David Hollander (creator and showrunner of "The Guardian") has signed with Sony instead of CBS. Does that change anything for "The Guardian"? More importantly, what impact can it have on "The Guardian"?

- Bar Komp, Chicago, Ill.

Owen: Ah, internal politics. Ain't it grand?

As we reported last month, Hollander has agreed to a new deal with Sony, which produces "The Guardian" in association with CBS Productions (CBSP). Hollander had his previous deal with CBSP. It's possible the CBS folks are unhappy with that defection and maybe that's why CBS CEO Leslie Moonves called "The Guardian" a "bubble show" (re: on the fence) for next season even as one of his programming chieftans, David Stapf, said the series was not in danger of cancellation.

What impact Hollander's business move has on the series remains to be seen. If both companies were not partners on the show, it could damage the series more. But both parties want enough episodes of "The Guardian" to sell into syndication - where the big money is - so they need the series to get a fourth season to achieve 88 episodes, generally considered the minimum for a successful syndication sale.

That said, I think "The Guardian" will be renewed, but I think a move to low-rated, media-ignored Saturday night is likely.