LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. TV networks, recognizing a slump in the comedy genre, are combing through 67 sitcom pilots for the next big hit.
"The only thing that every one of the networks is looking for this year is 'something completely different,'" said Russ Krasnoff, Sony Pictures Television president of programming and production, in Wednesday's Hollywood Reporter.
"We need to find something new that breaks out," he said, "and nobody knows what that's going to be."
The six networks are searching through a larger variety of half-hour pilot prospects this year, industry insiders said. NBC has 17 comedy pilots; Fox has 15, with five of them animated; and ABC has 13, compared with 15 last year.
"We're all cognizant that the comedy form is in a lull," said David Kissinger, Universal Television Productions president. "We're taking a few big swings with the mindset that without taking big risks, nobody's going to be able to re-energize the form. ... I have sensed a great willingness to give writers some space this year and let them run with their passion."
