Pavan
11-20-2003, 11:00 AM
Too bad for Flody. He seemed nice. Here is the info:
"8 Simple Rules" exec producer Flody Suarez has been fired from the ABC laffer he helped develop, just as the show prepares to welcome another high-profile guest star: David Spade.
Suarez parted ways with the show earlier this week, reps for ABC and studio Touchstone Television confirmed. The ABC rep cited "different management opinions" as the cause of Suarez's departure.
Industry insiders said a growing rift between Suarez and fellow "8 Simple Rules" exec producer Tom Shadyac contributed to Suarez's exit. Shadyac and Michael Bostick remain with the skein as exec producers, as does exec producer Tracy Gamble, who's considered the key creative force behind the show.
News comes following series star John Ritter's unexpected death in September.
While Suarez's overall deal at Touchstone is up, the studio has several projects in the works with him and is looking forward to the possibility of working with the producer again, a spokesman said. Suarez couldn't be reached for comment late Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, as for Spade, the "Just Shoot Me" and "Saturday Night Live" vet is set to shoot two or three segs of "Rules," most likely playing a relative of the Hennessy clan. He's expected to shoot his episodes in mid-December for possible broadcast in February.
James Garner and Suzanne Pleshette have appeared in several segs of the show since Ritter's passing.
In addition to the "8 Simple Rules" gig, Spade and his reps have been meeting with writers, nets and studios about a possible full-time return to TV for Spade. Several outlets have expressed interest, though it's still possible Spade could choose to sit out this development season.
Spade's recent feature credits include "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star" and "Joe Dirt." Thesp, who's repped by Endeavor and Brillstein-Grey, is next set to star in "Son of Santa" for Sony.
"8 Simple Rules" exec producer Flody Suarez has been fired from the ABC laffer he helped develop, just as the show prepares to welcome another high-profile guest star: David Spade.
Suarez parted ways with the show earlier this week, reps for ABC and studio Touchstone Television confirmed. The ABC rep cited "different management opinions" as the cause of Suarez's departure.
Industry insiders said a growing rift between Suarez and fellow "8 Simple Rules" exec producer Tom Shadyac contributed to Suarez's exit. Shadyac and Michael Bostick remain with the skein as exec producers, as does exec producer Tracy Gamble, who's considered the key creative force behind the show.
News comes following series star John Ritter's unexpected death in September.
While Suarez's overall deal at Touchstone is up, the studio has several projects in the works with him and is looking forward to the possibility of working with the producer again, a spokesman said. Suarez couldn't be reached for comment late Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, as for Spade, the "Just Shoot Me" and "Saturday Night Live" vet is set to shoot two or three segs of "Rules," most likely playing a relative of the Hennessy clan. He's expected to shoot his episodes in mid-December for possible broadcast in February.
James Garner and Suzanne Pleshette have appeared in several segs of the show since Ritter's passing.
In addition to the "8 Simple Rules" gig, Spade and his reps have been meeting with writers, nets and studios about a possible full-time return to TV for Spade. Several outlets have expressed interest, though it's still possible Spade could choose to sit out this development season.
Spade's recent feature credits include "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star" and "Joe Dirt." Thesp, who's repped by Endeavor and Brillstein-Grey, is next set to star in "Son of Santa" for Sony.