Reilly Out, Silverman in at NBC 36857

Though you probably heard about NBC entertainment chief Kevin Reilly getting the ax in yesterday’s Bill Carter column or the Meg James’ Los Angeles Times piece, the news first broke that Jeff Zucker was sticking a shiv in the only guy who’s managed to attach the word “success” to the peacock network with Nikki Finke (who posted rumors on Friday).

So, um, what the hell?

Out the door is Reilly, who’s responsible for things like Heroes, My Name Is Earl, and keeping The Office around — otherwise known as NBC shows with something called “ratings.” So the story goes, NBC Uni chief Zucker is looking to install producer Ben Silverman (chief of Reveille, which is behind Ugly Betty, Shear Genius, and Kath & Kim) in the role. Meanwhile, NBC entertainment VP Katherine Pope is so fed up, she’s looking for a way out.

As expected, everyone is jumping on the story, including the good folks at Variety, who today ran an uncountable number of words about the affair (they are a trade, after all) following Sunday’s piece, describing Silverman as a Zucker-type: “a New Yorker with a famously short attention span whose relationship with Hollywood has been untraditional.” Oh, and they also claim an announcement of a Silverman deal, and officially announcing Reilly’s exit, could come as soon as today.

Let’s just get the word out before the premiere of America’s Got Talent though, okay? Don’t mess with our shit.