Berlanti knows <i>Jack</I> for the WB (9861)

The WB Network has a new campaign strategy for its fledgling drama project about a future American president. It has hired openly gay Everwood creator Greg Berlanti and writer Vanessa Taylor to reconfigure the project, which revolves around two teenage brothers, one of whom will one day become president of the United States. The series, now called Jack and Bobby, was conceived by Steve "Scoop" Cohen, who was an early volunteer on Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign, and novelist Brad Meltzer. The WB originally ordered a pilot last year; it is now being redeveloped for fall 2004. "I think at its core, it was a fabulous idea," said Berlanti, who will join Thomas Schlamme (The West Wing) as an executive producer. "I think Vanessa's take on it and her writing style, combined with the idea, makes it the perfect WB show--it's got heart and smarts, it's still got a high concept at its core, and I think it promises to be a really compelling family drama about a single mom and her two sons, one of whom turns out to be the president."