The Inherent Comedy in Being a Book Editor

Posted on September 2, 2009

Apparently, the life of a book editor is a marvelous inspiration for a sitcom. The Hollywood Reporter reveals that CBS has greenlit a new sitcom from Gail Lerner (Will and Grace). Titled Open Books the show revolves around book editor June and her circle of friends.

"It's an ensemble comedy with a female lead set in the publishing world, but it's really about the characters and their relationships," Lerner said.

"Books" was based on an idea Lerner had been developing in the back of her mind for years.

It is inspired by the time she spent as a temp in the publishing world at the beginning of her career and by the experiences of her sister Betsy, who worked as a book editor for 15 years before becoming a literary agent.

"I like the frustrations, the collaborative process," Lerner said of publishing. "Publishing is a lot like sitcoms. Although both are supposedly dying, that only makes people more passionate about creating the next great novel or show."

Let us guess what those development-unfriendly elements are. First off, the lead probably sits around reading a lot, which is not terribly fun to watch. Second, the publishing world moves very slowly, so it's not like you can wrap up a book storyline in half an hour very easily. We're thinking the casting is going to be key here. This one lives or dies with the lead character -- and the dialogue, of course.

We will be watching to see how Lerner and her team make it work.

Update: There is some casting news from Deadline with Laura Benanti cast as the lead. Aisha Tyler and Scott Foley will also star.

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