Gail Mancuso News

NBC has ushered in the 2019-20 classes of its groundbreaking scripted directing initiatives, Female Forward and theEmerging Director Program. The initiatives aim to increase representation of female and ethnically diverse directors, respectively, by creating a pipeline into scripted television. They are the only programs in the industry that give participating directors an in-season guarantee to direct at least one episode.

21CF Global Inclusion will begin its third annual Fox Directors Lab (FDL) program on the Fox Studio Lot in Los Angeles in August. FDL is a highly selective program designed to nurture experienced television directors who have diverse voices, backgrounds, and life experiences.  The goal of the program is to create a strong pipeline of well-rounded talent for potential staffing on Fox television series. 

NBC is taking a significant step to put more women in the director's chair with the announcement of its inaugural class for Female Forward, the network's annual initiative founded last August by then-president Jennifer Salke that gives female directors a pipeline into scripted television.

For those viewers who haven't watched yet or want to experience 10th season episodes all over again, the revival of “Roseanne” will rebroadcast four back-to-back episodes on TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (8:00–10:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. Episodes are also available via streaming and on demand. Plus, an original episode of “Deception” kicks off a two-night event (part two airs SUNDAY, APRIL 29) where, for the first time this season, “Deception” will show viewers how Cameron Black executes one of the grandest illusions in history, immediately following the “Roseanne” marathon on TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT).  

According to Deadline, Julie Klausner has been cast opposite Sasheer Zamata and Sean Kleier in NBC's comedy pilot So Close from Greg Malins, Hazy Mills and Universal TV.

NBC is officially kicking off Female Forward, its new initiative focused on providing emerging female directors with training and the opportunity to direct an in-season episode.