It’s official.
Jamie Tarses, the former ABC programming whiz, has landed at James Burrows’ Three Sisters Entertainment, the legendary TV director’s production company.
The 36-year-old television exec, who has been in hiding since she left ABC last year in a highly-publicized clash with her bosses, has signed on for a top spot at the Hollywood production company.
Tarses will oversee development deals as well as scout projects for the director responsible for such hit shows as “Taxi,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and “Will & Grace.”
“She’s going to be a big part of Three Sisters,” said one industry insider close to the deal. “She’s going to make it a real production company rather than just a title.”
Burrows – sometimes referred to as the “Spielberg of sitcom directors,” for his work on some of the most recognizable shows in television – has traditionally read and chosen projects himself. The production would nominally be handled through Three Sisters, but it was mostly a one-man show.
But with Tarses at the helm, Burrows will now be freed to concentrate on directing and producing rather than development.
“Now Jamie will read all the scripts. She’ll pick out the good scripts and work with the writers to develop the shows,” said the insider.
“Jimmy really likes her and thinks she’s talented and smart,” said one source.
Tarses made a name for herself at NBC as a tough-talking, take-no-prisoners executive responsible for such hit shows as “Frasier,” “Friends,” and “Mad About You.”
She was lured over to ABC in the hopes of reliving her glory days at the Peacock Network.
But after three tumultuous years, the first woman to hold the top programming post at a Big Three network left the Disney shop amidst a flurry of corporate restructuring and infighting with the top cheeses.