Primetime Legacy
Peter Roth had a long run in TV by championing quirky shows that broke the mold
The Greatest American Hero ABC (1981-1983)
This dramedy spoof of super- hero tropes didn’t last long but it reflected a willingness to try something offbeat, one of Roth’s signatures. It was produced by Stephen J. Cannell, who would eventually recruit Roth to serve as president of his bustling independent production outfit.
Wiseguy CBS (1987-1990)
A gangster drama revolving around an undercover law enforcement agent played by Ken Wahl was the most acclaimed series to come from Stephen J. Cannell Prods. during Roth’s six years as president. The show, which was also an early springboard for Jonathan Banks and Stanley Tucci, earned an Emmy nomination for drama series in .
The X-files Fox (1993-2002)
Roth was head of the th Century Fox Television banner when Chris Carter’s influential drama series landed on Fox. The show became a global smash. It’s been hailed as a predecessor of today’s cinematic drama series, and its writing staff was endowed with a murderers row of future showrunners, including Vince Gilligan, Howard Gordon, Frank Spotnitz, John Shiban and Glenn Morgan and James Wong.
Ally Mcbeal (pictured) Fox (1997-2002)
After moving over to the post of Fox network entertainment president, Roth championed this break-the-mold dramedy from the prolific David E. Kelley. Calista Flockhart’s adventures in the courtroom and the bedroom was a bright spot for the network during Roth’s three-year tenure.
The West Wing NBC (1999-2006)
Roth helped shepherd one of the most prestigious dramas of the pre-streaming era, the Wbtv-produced ensembler from Aaron Sorkin set among White House staffers. Roth helped executive producer John Wells steer the transition after Season when Sorkin’s departure caused a stir, keeping the show going for three more years.
The O.C. Fox (2003-2007)
The soap set among pampered teens in Orange County became a guilty pleasure for many and a calling card with younger audiences for Fox. And it was an early sign of the
YA market’s ability to generate mainstream hits. Not to mention the Wbtv-produced series was the launch pad for actors Ben Mckenzie, Rachel Bilson, Adam Brody and Mischa Barton.
Two and a Half Men CBS (2003-2015)
This unabashedly raunchy Chuck Lorre-lee Aronson sitcom starring Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer was an unqualified hit for CBS and a syndication smash for Warner Bros. TV. Moreover, Roth committed to put principles over profit by firing Sheen in when the actor’s off-screen behavior became untenable for the series. Roth helped calm the waters and recruited Ashton Kutcher to fill the void for four more seasons.
The Big Bang Theory CBS (2007-2019)
The Chuck Lorre-bill Prady comedy that now qualifies as TV’S last sitcom smash had a difficult birth for CBS and Warner Bros. TV. Banking on Lorre’s track record, Roth committed to producing a second pilot after the first effort for CBS in ¤ generated a pass. That proved to be a worthy investment as “The Big Bang Theory” has generated well north of $.¦ billion (and counting) in revenue for the studio alone.