There had been an offer from the network to re-pilot the project, something cbs has previously done successfully with The Big Bang Theory and, most recently, with newly picked up comedy The McCarthys. But I hear that came with no commitment to go to series, which HIMYD producer 20th Century Fox TV was unwilling to do, given the project’s pedigree and auspices, HIMYM creators Craig Thomas & Carter Bays and Emily Spivey. I hear 20th TV was willing to take a series order with the commitment to retool the pilot, something CBS is currently doing with The Odd Couple, which it owns. That pilot, picked up for midseason, is being reworked, including recasting two parts.
CBS’ option on HIMYD expires today, so, unless a miracle happens, the project is dead at CBS. 20th TV, which has been very bullish on the pilot, plans to shop it to other networks, and I hear it already has received interest. I hear the studio is looking to make a decision over the next week, with executives confident that HIMYD would go to series somewhere.
CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler said that “there were elements of the pilot that didn’t work out” when explaining the network’s decision to pass on it. Tassler underscored that the reasons were creative, dismissing any notion there was financial interest, like pursuing a co-production with 20th TV. “Creative always drives the business,” she said. “We felt re-piloting was in the best interest.” With that not in the cards, “I’m heartsick,” Tassler said. “It didn’t work out.”