“Battle Creek,” a show that Vince Gilligan first brought to CBS 12 years ago, suddenly got new life at the network when Gilligan’s “Breaking Bad” became an Emmy magnet and cultural phenomenon.
But how much Gilligan will be involved in “Battle Creek” is up to Gilligan.
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“Whatever way, shape and form he wants to be involved, we’re very happy with that,” CBS entertainment chief Nina Tassler said at the Television Critics Association summer press tour Thursday.
Tassler made a lucrative deal with Sony, the studio behind “Battle Creek,” in part because it wanted the prestige of promoting a new show from the creator of “Breaking Bad.”
Though CBS is getting Gilligan’s pilot script, characters, and pedigree, it won’t get constant attention from Gilligan, known for addressing every detail of “Breaking Bad,” including the color palette of the characters’ clothes.
He said last week that he is something of a “spectator” with “Battle Creek,” a drama about cynical Michigan cops. Gilligan’s focus is on “Better Call Saul,” a “Breaking Bad” spinoff that will also air next season.
“‘Battle Creek’ is a show I’m real proud of from more of a spectator point of view. I don’t have as much to do with that show in its current ongoing form, but I’ve seen the first episode, and it’s really good,” he said at TCA panel for “Saul,” which will air on AMC.
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Tassler was asked Thursday if her show is in “second position” to “Saul.” She noted that “House” creator David Shore had worked “very closely” with Gilligan on rewriting the pilot with Gilligan and will run the show day-to-day.