SCREEN legend Burt Reynolds has stormed off a new CBS pilot citing “creative differences” with the show’s producers.
And despite his co-workers high hopes, he won’t be back.
The show, “Late Boomers,” in which Reynolds was set to headline, also starred Robert Urich and Joe Bologna.
“He’s not going to go back,” Reynolds’ rep said yesterday.
But at this point it’s unclear exactly who walked out on whom – the show’s director or Reynolds. No replacement has been chosen yet, sources said yesterday.
The trouble started Saturday during a script reading for the new series that was also attended by a group of about 40 network execs and studio officials from Artists Television Group – the studio owned by Hollywood super-agent Michael Ovitz.
Ovitz was watching the rehearsal, according to reports.
After the session, the two production groups argued for about 45 minutes. The cast, already uncomfortable, were then told to come back for another reading the next day.
Then on Sunday, Reynolds and the show’s director, Andrew Wayman blew up at each other, quickly ending the session and Reynold’s involvement in the show. “I probably would’ve been very good in this role,” Reynolds told Variety.