Production changes in store for 'Truth'

Production changes are said to be in the works for NBC's midseason comedy "The Naked Truth," which premiered last month in the plum 9:30 p.m. Thursday slot, following "Seinfeld" and leading into "ER."

Expected to take on a larger role behind the scenes at the Brillstein-Grey Entertainment sitcom is writer-producer John Riggi, whose credits include co-executive producer of the production company's critically acclaimed HBO series "The Larry Sanders Show." He also had a stint on HBO's "Dennis Miller" show.

Riggi recently joined "The Naked Truth" as an executive producer. The show's other executive producers are Brad Grey and Bernie Brillstein along with Maya Forbes and Jay Daniel. Whether other changes will follow is expected to be decided within the next day or so.

NBC has a lot riding on "The Naked Truth." The network snagged the show away from ABC last year after Brillstein-Grey decided it would rather be a backup show for the Peacock web than the Alphabet web. That decision became part of a major falling-out between Brillstein-Grey and ABC, which three years earlier had entered into a production agreement. NBC subsequently revamped the show, adding former "Cheers" co-star George Wendt to the cast and altering much of the show's premise.

While NBC execs are big fans of the show's star, Tea Leoni, there is some concern about the ratings performance. Although the show is averaging an 18.2 rating and 28 share in four outings, which easily wins its timeslot, comedies with that strong a time period are measured by a different ruler, primarily how it holds the "Seinfeld" lead-in. Last week, "Naked Truth" held only 74% of the 18-49 audience and 77% of households despite a heavy promotion effort touting the guest appearance of Mary Tyler Moore.

NBC and Brillstein-Grey declined to comment for this story.