Meredith Stiehm Inks Three Year Deal

[TVFan]

Just caught this over at thefutoncritic.com:

COLD CASE (CBS) - Creator/executive producer Meredith Stiehm has inked a three-year overall deal with Paramount Network Television. The pact calls for her to create, develop and executive produce new series projects for the studio. The deal won't be completely exclusive however as it's understood Stiehm is expected continue in her showrunning duties on "Cold Case" for at least one more season with Paramount loaning out her services to producer Warner Bros. Television. Stiehm had previously been set up at Warner Bros. Television for the past five years.

[byrdman9802]

Dear TVFan,

Hey, girl! Thanks for posting this so promptly. Gosh, so Meredith may leave our show after another year, huh? Of course, that is not indicated directly, but... I think Meredith was a driving force behind having Lilly as such a major part of this series.

Well, this could shake things up a bit. I wonder if she has appointed a successor yet. In any case, I'm sure we shall see.

Thanks again for posting this, TVFan, and have a great weekend, girl!

[Naj]

And maybe Kathryn will leave too for something else. We'll see. Who knows why S2 showed more of the boys. :smile6:
Don't mean to spark any rumors but I'm curious! :smile6:


~Naj

[Ryebeach]

I'm curious as well and one can't help but wonder if the decision to show more of "the boys" in season 2 came from the higher ups at the show or the network. Hmm. Something to ponder. Thanks for the info TVFan and I do hope Meredith sticks around with CC for much longer than the next year.

[Disasterfreak]

Hmmm... sounds bad :smile11: Meredith is pretty much the backbone of CC, its whole structure was her doing. If she leaves, it might spell the end of our dear show. And if Kathryn leaves, I'm not watching it, I swear. I like the boys, but Lilly IS the show for me.

[myril]

Ohoh, doesn't sound good. I agree with Disaster. So I'm curious and a bit worried what will happen to the show if Meredith Stiehm leaves. And I have my doubts that she could be involved any longer if she'll creats new projects for Paramont.
Ok, not every change has to be a bad one. Who ever follows might keep the tone of the show and do it as good. Or not. We'll see. :smile6:

Thanks for the information TVFan!

[Shorty]

*gulp* Meredith?leave? maybe we should like, sign a petition or something or go on protests :smile29:, hmmm.... id give her successor a chance :smile6: ... maybe.

as for Kathryn leaving :smile38: :smile38: :smile38: :smile11: , i agree- i would seriously stop watching, its not that i don't like the other actors and characters- i think they're great but Kathryn and Lilly are what hold the show together, also, if they are misused, or the nature of Lilly changes (now Ive got a scary image of Lilly turning into the main character off Legally blond *shudders*) i would stop watching, however, i have complete faith in Kathryn to stop that if that happens ;D

[TVFan]

Here's my take on the blurb:

She did sign with Paramount Network Television, which essentionally is CBS and UPN. Since CBS airs Cold Case, it's all under the same network family. From all of the articles that have been posted here, it sounds like Meredith really believes in Cold Case and its continued success. She has said that she has a close connection with Lilly Rush, so I can't see her leaving the show completely. She'll probably continue to have her contract with Paramount allow for the exception with Warner Bros. so she can continue with Cold Case. If she does develop new shows for Paramount, I still can't see her leaving Cold Case completely. David E. Kelly has had multiple shows running at the same time, and on different networks ("The Practice" on ABC while "Boston Public" was airing on FOX) as did Aaron Sorkin ("Sports Night" on ABC and "The West Wing" on NBC). Also with Sorkin, the two aforementioned programs were produced by two different production houses (Buena Vista/Imagine Entertainment and Warner Bros. respectively).

Sorkin left "The West Wing" after the fourth season (TWW just wrapped up its 6th season) and the show continued mostly in the same fashion as it had with him there. Again, I don't think that Meredith will leave, but it might not spell the end of the show (or the quality) if she did. I want her to stay as long as the show remains on the air (which will hopefully be a while), and I think she will. I could be wrong, though. Time will tell.

[byrdman9802]

Dear TVFan,

Hey, girl! Thanks so much for providing your own input into this topic. You gave a very balanced opinion from both sides of the coin, and thanks for that. We will just have to wait and see how this thing progresses, and I know we will too.

Just as a side note, I noticed that you mentioned David E. Kelly, TVFan. That sparked a memory in me. Just to let you know, "Boston Public" was canceled. I do not remember when that was, but it has been done away with. I was a fan of that show too.

Also (please do not think I am putting this in here to scare anyone, just presenting a fact that I remember), do you remember the show "Picket Fences" TVFan? It had Tom Skerritt (from "Alien", "Top Gun", "Steel Magnolias", and many other shows and movies), Kathy Baker (the "hook lady" from Boston Public), Don Cheadle (from "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve") and Ray Walston (from "My Favorite Martian") among others. This show was a BIG hit for CBS in the early to mid 90s. David E. Kelley was the leader of this show as well. All the time that he was involved with "Picket Fences" it was a hit. Well, before what would be its last season, Kelley announced that he would no longer be contributing to this show. I am not sure what the implications behind this move were, I just remember it happening. I watched the last season, and the series seemed to trail off. As you can probably guess, ratings plummeted, and the show was canceled one year after Kelly had left it.

Again, please do not think I put that in there to scare anyone. This is just a fact, and there is no way to tell if it would be repeated in this situation. I'm just presenting a factual situation with a topic that was brought up. Thanks.

In any case, thanks again for posting your thoughts into this, TVFan. They're much appreciated, girl. I'm sure that we will keep track of this situation and update its progress as we receive it. Thanks again, TVFan, and have a great weekend, girl!

[Naj]

David E. Kelly has had multiple shows running at the same time, and on different networks ("The Practice" on ABC while "Boston Public" was airing on FOX) as did Aaron Sorkin ("Sports Night" on ABC and "The West Wing" on NBC)

And LA Law went to pot when that happened. They say that the big five actor's contracts were up but the show was only good about one-two years after the big name departures then it really fell flat by the time A Martinez came on board. At least it did in my opinion. :smile43:


So, I don't think that keeping your name attached to something that you are no longer hands-on with day to day will keep the show in tact. I do realize it's a group effort to make the series a success but if the main person's ideas and energy aren't present it could affect the show. Of course there's no way to know--it could be just as good or even take a turn we all consider to be even more interesting. The only way to know is to continue watching. :smile21:

[Ryebeach]

Another thing to remember is that is extremely rare for a showrunner to remain with a show for its entire run. Exceptions that come to mind are Stephen Bochco for NYPD BLUE and Marta Kauffman and David Crane for Friends. After 3 or 4 years the showrunner (usually the series creator) leaves for other projects that are offering better long run benefits. Often they do remain on in a Executive Consultant role which doesn't really mean much, it's mostly so there name is still associated with a project. My honest opinion is that Meredith will leave the show maybe not after next season, maybe after season 4 for other projects. Because of her success on CC, doors are probably opening for her (ie; the Paramount deal) and I wouldn't blame her at all for jumping through them. Those opportunities may not be there when CC is over.

[byrdman9802]

Excellent point, Ryebeach. I never thought of this specifically from Meredith's view. I am sure that this opportunity is very valuable to her. Like you said, it may not be there when CC is over.

I guess I was being somewhat selfish in thinking how this would solely affect one of my favorite series. I never thought of this specifically from Meredith's viewpoint. Thanks for providing this new perspective for me.

However, I still hope it does not negatively affect this show. It's a proven winner, and I think it should stay that way. I'm holding out hope that it certainly will.

Take care, and have a great day, boys and girls!

[TVFan]

I was a huge fan of Picket Fences, byrdman! Loved it!

I've enjoyed reading everyone's take on this latest development. Thanks for the very interesting insight Ryebeach. You are absolutely right about showrunners leaving at the height of series. And I agree with you, you really can't blame them.

Even if Meredith leaves, I still believe that Cold case will carry on in much the same fashion because, at its very core, the show is a procedural drama. The other shows that have been mentioned are/were character heavy shows where their success rode on the given plot lines for each of the characters. If someone came in and took a character in a bad direction, the show was sunk. I think that Cold Case and all of the other procedurals are less likely to suffer the same fate. The episodes focus on solving crimes more than the characters who solve them. The original Law & Order is an excellent example. The show has been on the air for 15 seasons. The cast (which is more evident to the average viewer) has changed numerous times over the course of those 15 seasons, and yet the show carries on (and still manages to beat freshman hit CSI:NY about half the time in the timeslot).

As much as I'd like Meredith to stay with Cold Case for its entire run, I agree with Ryebeach. But, I also think that it doesn't have to spell the end. I'll be watching (with my fingers crossed )

[sonny]

I'm not sure I'd completely agree with you on all aspects of what you have just posted. The episodes are centred on the crimes but I think the personal lives of the characters, especially Lilly draws a huge interest in those who watch the show. If Kathryn Morris were to leave Cold Case it could never be the same; to me anyway.

[TVFan]

I agree about Kathryn leaving the show sonny. My point was just that if Meredith left, it might not spell the end of the show. Since the show focuses more on the actual cases than the personal lives of the detectives, it wouldn't be a huge shift for a "new" person to take the reigns. The show is set up in a procedural formula, where a show like Picket Fences, was completely character driven. Now, if someone came in and started making CC more soapy (and less case focused) than that would be an issue. If Kathryn ever left, I do believe the show would not survive. Unlike Law & Order which is an ensemble cast, CC is much more of a lead character type of show. Without Lilly, there is no show, and without Kathryn there is no Lilly (IMO).

[sonny]

Thanks TVFan I'm clear about what you meant now.

[Disasterfreak]

I think you're right, TV Fan. And I want to thank you and Ryebeach for chasing the ominous foreboding of CC crashing to the ground away. I'm so jinxed with shows, I'm used to them being cancelled or bumped off or changing radically almost as soon as I start getting hooked on them, and I guess it's made me a little paranoid. Thanks for setting me straight.

[byrdman9802]

Dear TVFan,

Hey, girl! How's it going today? Hopefully very well, I know I'm doing great myself!

Hey, that is great to hear that you were a Picket Fences girl, TVFan. I'm glad that someone remembered it besides me. I CANNOT find any reruns of this show anywhere. I am sure that it had more than 100 episodes, and I know that FX channel was showing it at one time, but they have stopped since, and I do not know of any channel that carries it now. Sorry, just lamenting for an old favorite.

Also, thanks so much for your positive input on this topic as well. Indeed, the show can continue on no matter who leaves it (except our girl KM, of course! ). But like you, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks for getting back with me, TVFan. Take care, and have a great day, girl!

[TVFan]

No problem byrdman. You know, I'm surprised that they haven't released Picket Fences on DVD. I bet it's coming some time in the future.

As far as the positive input goes, I guess it's more of a reflection on my "think positively" attitude. I have total faith that if Meredith did leave, she would be sure to put the show in very capable and like-minded hands.

[Naj]

If Kathryn ever left, I do believe the show would not survive. Unlike Law & Order which is an ensemble cast, CC is much more of a lead character type of show. Without Lilly, there is no show, and without Kathryn there is no Lilly (IMO).

I agree but look how S2 has deviated from the central focus of Lilly's character of S1. If Lilly did leave, who would they bring in? Scotty has been the focus S2. Bring in Anna Mayes as lead and have those two go at it while solving the cases. We already know Scotty and Ann don't get along.

CBS is going to have another female central show this fall that sounds like a Lilly character bringing others to justice. My point is - maybe CBS doesn't want Cold Case to center around a female now.


~Naj