Weinman to oversee NBC's Gotham series

Move might lead to end of Gotham development

By JOSEF ADALIAN

NEW YORK -- NBC has upped standards and practices czar Rosalyn Weinman to a newly created position overseeing Gotham-based entertainment programming. Thursday's move is expected to lead to the departure of the Peacock's East Coast programming exec Bridget Potter -- and end the web's attempt to develop shows out of Gotham.

Weinman, whose new title will be exec vp of Broadcast Content Policy and East Coast Entertainment, will supervise production of Gotham-based "Law & Order," its upcoming tentatively titled spinoff "Sex Crimes," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "Saturday Night Live" and Baltimore-based "Homicide." She'll continue to implement Peacock programming standards and supervise the web's program compliance and community relations departments, reporting directly to NBC Entertainment prexy Scott Sassa.

"Expanding Roz's responsibilities makes sense on several levels," Sassa said. "She's done a great job working with producers, writers and other members of the community on both coasts. Her creative abilities will only enhance our already strong presence on the East Coast."

Role reversal

Most of Weinman's new creative duties had been handled by Potter, a former HBO programming exec ("From the Earth to the Moon," "Oz"), who joined NBC as senior VP of Entertainment Programs, East Coast, in April 1996. Potter had been charged with developing East Coast-based programming, but ended up delivering very little which made it to the air.

Weinman's job responsibilities will not include developing programming, which will now be handled solely by execs in Burbank, people close to the situation said. "They're giving up on developing shows in New York," one industry insider said.

NBC said Potter will remain in her current position but will work on "special projects," reporting to Sassa. Peacock insiders, however, said Potter is likely to leave the net within a matter of months, and that part of the reason for the exec shuffle was to save the costs associated with an East Coast development exec.

Weinman has worked with most of NBC's current on-air talent through the production of "The More You Know," the long-running Peacock PSA campaign she created. She also served as exec producer of "She Cried No," an NBC telepic about date rape.