• by David Kaplan , September 21, 2004

Paramount Network Television has named former CBS Productions vice president, Brian Banks, senior vice president of comedy development. Banks, who will report to Maria Crenna, executive vice president of Paramount Network Television, will oversee all aspects of comedy series development for Paramount. At CBS, Banks oversaw both current programming and development, working on "The King of Queens," "Yes, Dear," "Still Standing," and UPN's "Half and Half." For the upcoming season, Banks was part of the development team for the new CBS comedies "Listen Up" and "Center of the Universe."

Banks joined CBS Productions in August 1997. He was promoted to manager of creative affairs in July 1998 and was then named director of comedy series in 1999 before becoming vice president of comedy series in December 2002. From 1994 to 1997, Banks worked at Warner Bros. Television, ultimately serving in the comedy development department as assistant to Crenna, who was senior vice president of comedy development at Warner Bros.

Banks replaces Rose Catherine Pinkney, who most recently held the position of senior vice president of comedy development.