CBS’ new comedy Man With a Plan was set to star Jenna Fischer opposite Matt LeBlanc. But CBS believes it can “do better” in terms of cast chemistry.
CBS, the network now infamous for rejecting the Nancy Drew pilot because it was “too female,” revealed their decision earlier this week to let the female star of its new sitcom go due to chemistry issues with her male co-star.
The Wrap reports that The Office alum Fischer, who was set to star with Friends alum Matt LeBlanc in Man With a Plan, is set to be recast.
Thursday morning, CBS entertainment president Glenn Geller assured reporters he considers Fischer “a phenomenal actress,” and affirmed that she “just wasn’t the right actress for the right role.”
Related: NBC to air Sky comedy series starring Rob Lowe, Megan Mullally and Jenna Fischer
Addressing the lead actors’ alleged chemistry issues, Geller said, “it was fine. We think we can do better in terms of the chemistry between the two of them.”
While the show’s title indicates that LeBlanc is first billed, we would consider Fischer a star on equal footing with the artist formerly known as Joey Tribbiani. We would be interested to hear if they ever considered recasting him rather than simply look for a new leading lady to better ‘support’ their main, male star.
In related news, CBS has also recently come under fire for their very male, very white fall lineup.
But hey, with the original pilot set to air today at the CBS Upfronts, we’ll have to wait and see what attending press think of their chemistry issues — and whether CBS made the right call by letting Fischer go, rather than LeBlanc.
Perhaps Jenna Fischer was simply #toofemale for the so aptly named Man With a Plan.
