CBS has made its first pilot orders for the 2018–19 season and each of the three projects is from a woman creator. According to Variety, the network has tapped two comedies, Gloria Calderon Kellett’s “History of Them” and Michelle Nader’s “I Mom So Hard,” and a drama, Amanda Green’s “Murder.”
“History of Them” is “a multicultural ensemble about how two friends, Luna and Adam, meet and fall in love, using the couple’s social media as a guide.” Calderon Kellett (“One Day at a Time”) writes and serves as EP. Pamela Fryman, Calderon Kellett’s “How I Met Your Mother” collaborator, will direct and exec produce.
Based on the web series of the same name, “I Mom So Hard” centers on two women who depend on each other’s friendship in order to get through the absurdities of marriage and motherhood. Web series creators and stars Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley will topline the CBS adaptation as well as write with Nader (“2 Broke Girls”). Danielle Stokdyk is among the pilot’s exec producers.
“Murder” will delve into crime through the eyes of “cops and killers, witnesses and victims, friends and family” — perspectives that are often at odds with one another. “Shot like a true crime documentary, the series invites the audience inside the emotional journey of an investigation, allowing them to discern the truth and judge the suspects’ guilt or innocence for themselves,” Variety reveals. Green (Fox’s “Lethal Weapon”) will write and exec produce. Lindsey Liberatore is attached as co-EP.
These pilot orders are a pleasant surprise as CBS isn’t known to be the most inclusive or female-friendly broadcast network. CBS’ 2017 fall lineup included zero series with female protagonists and equal pay has repeatedly been an issue on shows like “Big Bang Theory,” “Criminal Minds,” and “Hawaii Five–0.” As for its winter 2018 schedule, “Mom” and “Madam Secretary” are the only women-centric series. “Madam Secretary,” “Man With a Plan,” and “9JKL” are the only scripted shows created or co-created by women. It’s a similar story for the network’s streaming platform, CBS All Access. It features two series led by women, “The Good Fight” and “Star Trek: Discovery.” “The Good Fight” is co-created by Michelle King.
Hopefully the orders for “History of Them,” “I Mom So Hard,” and “Murder” are a sign of better things to come at CBS.
