Television
July 9, 2001
Carolyn Bernstein Is Promoted To Senior VP, Drama Development And Tracey Pakosta & Mike Clements Ascend To Co-Senior VP, Comedy Development Of The WB
(July 9, 2001 – Burbank, CA) – Three vital executives of The WB’s programming department have received promotions and will form a new team that will help the network continue to develop series that are among the highest quality on television. Carolyn Bernstein, who has worked in drama development and led
The WB into the reality realm was named Senior Vice President, Drama Development and Mike Clements and Tracey Pakosta, who teamed to give The WB its most successful comedy development ever, were named co-Senior Vice Presidents of Comedy Development. All three will report directly to Jordan Levin, President, Entertainment of The WB, who made the announcements today.
“With these promotions we continue to foster a nurturing environment for executive growth by rewarding dedicated people who have been an integral part of our success with expanded responsibility and greater opportunity,” Mr. Levin said. “Our network is built on management stability and seamless succession. Carolyn, Tracey and Mike are coveted executives who have proven they’re ready to lead.”
Ms. Bernstein joined The WB in February, 1999 and most recently served as Senior Vice President, Alternative Development and Vice President, Drama Development. In addition to being part of the team, along with Kate Juergens, that developed “GILMORE GIRLS” and “SMALLVILLE” for The WB, she nurtured “POPSTARS,” our first reality series, into a hit. She also helped us bring in a promising fall slate of reality including “POPSTARS 2,” “ELIMIDATE DELUXE,” “NO BOUNDARIES” and “LOST IN THE USA.”
Ms. Bernstein came to The WB from Columbia TriStar Television where she was Vice President of Drama Development and was integrally involved in the development of The WB’s “DAWSON’S CREEK,” as well as the critically acclaimed “CUPID” for ABC. Ms. Bernstein also worked as Director of Development & Production at fX, Fox’s basic cable network and was Manager of Creative Affairs at Fox West Pictures, then the Movie-of-the-Week division of Fox Broadcasting Co.
"Carolyn has been a great team player for us, in both drama where she helped us continue to deliver the highest quality on television, and in reality programming, where she assumed additional responsibilities because of the anticipation of a strike,” Mr. Levin said. Mr. Levin said. “In doing so, she helped define what reality programming for our network with ‘POPSTARS.’ Carolyn is assuming an extremely significant position for us at a network with a proven ability to produce hit dramas for young audiences and I’m confident that she will embrace the challenge."
Ms. Pakosta is a success story at The WB. She joined The WB six years ago as Susanne’s Daniels assistant and, because of her insight and instincts, she moved up extremely quickly from programming associate to manager to director and, most recently, as Vice President, Comedy Development.
Mr. Clements joined The WB in August 1999 as Vice President, Current Programming and Vice President of the networks in-house production unit, Michigan J. Productions. Clements began his career at Fox in October, 1992, rising to Director, Comedy Development, where he was part of a team that developed “That 70’s Show” and “Action.” Previously, as Manager, Current Programming for Fox he supervised the ongoing production of shows including “The Simpsons,” “MADtv,” “Married…with Children” and “King of the Hill.”
"Tracey has been a consistently original voice in our programming department for the past six years,” Mr. Levin said. “With Mike’s arrival two seasons ago, the two have been a tremendous asset, who, along with Kate Juergens, delivered seven new comedies for the upcoming season, including three of this fall’s talked about shows: ‘MAYBE I’M ADOPTED,’ ‘REBA’ and ‘MEN, WOMEN & DOGS.’ Having been partnered with Susanne I value and respect Tracey and Mike’s desire to work together as a team determined to establish The WB’s brand in comedy.” # # #