The Dark Prince of the Unscripted World Prepares for His Next Chapter: Mike Darnell Leaving Warner Bros. Television Group after a decade with the studio, a move he decided to make after a restructuring would have changed his role at the company. Darnell, who had been president of unscripted television for Warner Bros., and chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group, Channing Dungey, were due to announce the change on Thursday.
Under the new structure, Darnell will not be replaced; instead, the alternate and unscripted divisions that reported to Darnell will now report directly to Dungey. Darnell had one year left in his current contract with the studio.
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“Letting go is always hard…I took a deep breath, called each other on Zoom and thought it was time to go,” Darnell said in a statement, in his usual unique style. “I took it surprisingly well,” he joked.
“Actually, Channing approached me a few months ago, and even if I was given the opportunity to stay…it would have meant more changes both to my personal deal and to the overall structure of the division. “, added Darnell in his completed ellipse. statement. “Call it fate, or just good timing, during my discussions with Channing, a few new businesses came to me… Even so, deciding to leave was difficult. (Those who know me know that I’m not a fan of change.) I want to thank my incredible studio team. Of course I will miss everyone…not the least of which is Channing…I couldn’t ask for a more supportive boss, first class all the way.
Darnell joined Warner Bros. in 2013 after a legendary 18-year run at Fox, where his reputation was cemented as the reality kingpin behind the TV phenomenon “American Idol,” as well as juicy TV favorites like “Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire.” and “Temptation Island”, as well as opposite dishes including “Joe Millionaire”, “Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction”, “The Swan”, “When Animals Attack”, and “Man vs. Beast.” (At Fox, he also helped helm animated hits “Family Guy” and “Futurama,” the latter of which just relaunched on Hulu.)
He continued that streak at Warner Bros., dubbing the studio’s unscripted output and overseeing hundreds of series on broadcast, cable, streamers and first-run syndication. His supervision included NBC’s “The Voice”, ABC’s “The Bachelor”, “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise”. He also launched the studio’s talk show “The Jennifer Hudson Show” into syndication.
Darnell extended Warner Bros. TV Group on digital with Ellentube and games (with the Heads Up app!), and has expanded the studio into high-end documentaries with a slate that includes projects on Netflix, Apple TV+, Paramount+, HBO Sports and Max.
“When Mike joined Warner Bros. in 2013, he was already an industry legend – one of the most influential figures in the history of unscripted programming,” Dungey said. “In his 10 years with WBTVG, he really supercharged the unscripted department by more than doubling production on the show, making Warner Bros. the top unscripted studio in America for seven consecutive years. Mike has overseen a star-studded lineup of top unscripted properties in the business, and his track record of success is unparalleled.
“I had hoped that we would continue to work together, but I understand Mike’s decision to leave,” she added. “If there is a genius in this business, Mike definitely qualifies. I am extremely grateful for his inspired leadership, both in the industry and within the company, as well as for his warm friendship and his unforgettable style. We are losing a legend and an icon, one of the most creative executives in the industry, and he will be sadly missed.
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