That One Friend Who Just Won’t Leave
‘Friends’ Schwimmer to produce pilots for NBC
Source: Yahoo! News
Schwimmer, NBC Still “Friends”
NBC will keep at least one of its best Friends in the fold after next season.
The Peacock’s top-rated comedy will conclude its decade-long run in May 2004, but David Schwimmer’s planning on sticking around a bit longer.
NBC announced Thursday that it’s inked Schwimmer to a two-year deal–but not for his acting. Instead, Schwimmer will develop, produce and direct his own projects, as well as helm other Peacock shows.
“We want to extend our mutually successful relationship with David in other creative arenas,” says network programming boss Jeff Zucker. “This deal will provide even more opportunities for his many natural talents besides acting, since he’s proven himself in so many other artistic endeavors.”
Although he’s best known on the tube as the oft-whiny, oft-married Ross Geller, Schwimmer has directed 10 episodes of Friends, as well as several stage plays and the 1998 Miramax flick Since You’ve Been Gone.
He has adapted and will helm a stage version of the Studs Terkel book Race. Schwimmer’s production will open the new theater for his Chicago-based acting troupe, Lookingglass Theater Company, next month.
According to Variety, NBC will set up Schwimmer with cash, an office and a staff. The network has reportedly committed to make a pilot from at least one of Schwimmer’s pitches.
Not that Schwimmer, a onetime Emmy nominee for his Ross role, is giving up thespian pursuits altogether; he recently starred in the L.A. production of the play Turnaround and had a role in Mike Figgis’ upcoming indie, Hotel. And he still has one more season of Friends.
Meanwhile, NBC is still reportedly trying to figure out how to spin off Matt LeBlanc’s inept actor, Joey Tribbiani, into his own series.
As for their post-Friends plans, fellow cast members Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox Arquette, Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry have all talked about continuing their big-screen careers. Cox Arquette is currently developing a home-decorating show called Mix It Up for the WE cable network set to debut this fall. And, once the Friends gang disbands, she and Aniston are reportedly ready for a decidedly un-Hollywood project: mommyhood.
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