NBCUniversal Distribution senior vice president of programming and development Linda Finnell is departing the company, insiders tell TheWrap.
Finnell’s responsibilities will be absorbed by her colleagues, a person with knowledge of the division’s inner-workings tells us. Department creative consultant Maureen Fitzpatrick, who was brought in from CBS by Paul Telegdy, is also expected to play a key role there in the post-Finnell days — especially when it comes to revitalizing “Access Hollywood,” which now just goes by “Access.”
Finnell reports in to Tracie Wilson, who runs the syndication arm. Finnell was in the office Thursday and is said to be parting ways with her longterm company on good terms. Her contract was simply not renewed, insiders said.
Finnell did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Finnell has had a tough time launching successful shows lately. Some of her recent efforts that haven’t worked include talk shows with Megan Mullally, Jane Pauley, and John Walsh. She did oversee a hit in Steve Harvey’s talk show.
On the non-talk front, Finnell worked on reality show “Starting Over” and the daily “Weakest Link” game show.
Finnell first joined NBC in 1992. The ex-producer won a daytime Emmy for her work on Sally Jesse Raphael’s syndicated talk show. Finnell also worked on “The Montel Williams Show.”