NBC Fires Newlyweds Showrunner Gail Lerner Ahead of Premiere

NBC has fired Gail Lerner from its new comedy Newlyweds, two weeks before the show is due on air.

The network confirmed the departure was over “creative differences,” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The timing is tight. The series is set to premiere on Oct. 23.

Lerner served as writer, showrunner and executive producer on the show. A showrunner, meaning the writer-producer in charge of a series day to day, shapes scripts, casting and the edit. The first six episodes were made under her leadership.

Newlyweds is a multi-camera comedy, meaning it is filmed with several cameras in front of a studio audience. It stars Téa Leoni and Tim Daly as two people who marry quickly, according to NBC. Leoni plays Jeanie, described by the network as a free-spirited character at the centre of the story.

Lerner created the series with Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis said the idea grew from her own life, and NBC says her marriage to Christopher Guest helped inspire the comedy. Curtis will also appear on screen in a recurring guest star role.

Lerner arrived with long comedy credits. Her past producing work includes Black-ish, Mixed-ish, Will & Grace, Happy Endings and Ugly Betty. The cast also includes Al Madrigal, who joined in a recurring role in August, as reported by Deadline.

For viewers, nothing about the launch date has changed. Newlyweds is still listed to premiere on Oct. 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET. NBC has not yet named a replacement showrunner.