MUSICAL, LESBIAN SITCOM COMING TO NBC

Robert Greenblatt is expected to take over as chairman of NBC Universal TV Entertainment this week, bringing with him two edgy series that presumably had been rejected when he served as head of entertainment for Showtime. New York magazine reported on its Vulture blog that the two shows, one a musical, the other a lesbian rom-com, have already been picked up by the network. The musical series, titled Smash, it said, will be produced by Steven Spielberg and follows the mounting of musical comedy on Broadway. The series will include original tunes from established Broadway musical songwriters. The other show, I Hate That I Love You reportedly concerns a straight couple who introduce two lesbian friends to one another, who in turn become romantically involved. “It’s the sort of buzzworthy concept you’d expect from the exec who greenlit Dexter and Californication,” the magazine commented.