ABC, PBS in Discussions Over Latino Drama ‘American Family’

Actor Edward James Olmos says producers are talking to ABC and PBS about finding a home for “American Family,” the drama written and directed by filmmaker Gregory Nava that CBS rejected for its fall lineup last month. Had CBS picked up Nava’s show, “American Family” would have become the first Latino family drama on network television.

The actor was attending the PBS annual meeting here.

PBS vice president Tom Epstein confirmed the public broadcasters’ interest in getting the show. It would not be the first time PBS has come to the rescue of a project that didn’t survive on commercial television. The network briefly picked up the NBC series “I’ll Fly Away” in 1993.

“We have had very preliminary discussions but no negotiations,” said Epstein. “We think the pilot is excellent, and we’re always looking for strong, diverse programming.”

One PBS executive said the show presents big hurdles for the network, including the cost, because it was not a show that PBS had budgeted for.

“I know Greg [Nava] had some conversations with Pat Mitchell, the head of it, a few weeks ago,” Bob Greenblatt of Greenblatt Janollari Studio, the show’s co-executive producer, said Monday. He added: “Nothing would make me happier than to do it at PBS. I know nothing more than they saw it and really liked it. It’s a classy group.”

Greenblatt said CBS had not completely closed the door on “American Family,” with network executives telling the producer they might redevelop it as a two-hour movie for midseason.

ABC could not be reached by press time.

Along with Olmos, the cast of “American Family” includes Sonia Braga, Esai Morales, Constance Marie and Raquel Welch.