"Mike & Molly" Creator Mark Roberts Steps Down, Al Higgens is New Showrunner

[JamesG]

"Mike & Molly" Creator Mark Roberts to Exit, Al Higgins Upped to EP & Showrunner
by NELLIE ANDREEVA
Friday May 17, 2013


Mark Roberts, the creator of "Mike & Molly", will be leaving the CBS comedy series, which was recently renewed for a fourth season.

“Roberts will be stepping down from his showrunner and executive producer roles after three successful seasons to focus on other projects,” "Mike & Molly" producer Warner Bros. TV said in a statement to Deadline.

“Al Higgins, currently co-executive producer of Mike & Molly, has been named executive producer and will serve as day-to-day showrunner of the comedy for its upcoming fourth season.”





The studio would not comment on the reasons for the change, however there has been speculation for months that the show’s cast and crew were not happy with Roberts.

Veteran comedy writer-producer Higgins has been on "Mike & Molly" since after the pilot. His previous series credits include "NewsRadio" and "Malcolm in the Middle". On "Mike & Molly", he will serve as executive producer alongside Chuck Lorre, who has four series on the air and has not been really involved with "Mike & Molly" this past season.

The comedy starring Melissa McCarthy and Billy Gardell will have some time to accommodate the showrunner transition as is slated for midseason.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/05/mike...-leaving-show/