PASADENA, Calif. — In the book "Love Monkey" (9 p.m., CBS/Ch. 2), the main character is a journalist. (OK, a reporter for a New York tabloid, so "journalist" might be stretching it a bit.)
But when "Monkey" was adapted for television, the main character was somehow transformed into a music-industry executive. How did that happen?
"We pitched it to CBS, actually, as a journalist, the way it was in the book," said executive producer Michael Rauch. "CBS was very excited about the show, and they brought up the possibility of changing careers for Tom and putting him in a different venue."
Network executives didn't suggest anything specific in terms of an alternate career, just that it be something other than journalism. Why would that be?
"They said they don't like journalists," Rauch joked. "That's what they said. They said, 'Yeah, we hate it.' "
He was, of course, just kidding. As was series star Tom Cavanagh when he quickly told the roomful of newspaper types facing him, "They said they love journalists, remember?"
Oh, like we'd believe that.
According to Rauch, there was no great anti-journalism bias expressed. And nobody told him about the long list of shows about journalists that have failed. (The list of successful shows set in a newsroom pretty much begins with "Mary Tyler Moore" and ends with "Lou Grant.")
"They just said, 'We love the book. We love the take you guys have given us. We'd be interested to hear some other work environment ideas that you might have,' " Rauch said. Which left him floundering for a while.
"I spent about two days thinking of different ideas, and all of them were really, really bad," he said. "I had a friend . . . who was an A&R rep. I hung out with him a lot. And after work we'd go out and hear bands play in Manhattan at midnight, 1 in the morning, 2 in the morning. And there was something very exciting about that lifestyle and something very alive.
"There was also something about the music industry that I found fascinating, and especially at this time, when it seems to be in such flux. And so it felt like a fun world to explore."
Rauch ran it by Kyle Smith, who wrote the autobiographical book, who "loved the changes," according to executive producer Mark Johnson. Then they took it back to the network executives "and they came on board also. I kind of feel like we lucked into a world that hasn't been dealt with that much on television. . . . It's become this really fun story engine for us."
And — really, truly — he doesn't have anything against journalists. And — really, truly — he wasn't just saying that because he was talking to a whole bunch of 'em who were headed for their laptops to write something about his show.
"I wasn't behind the closed doors (when CBS executives discussed it). But they didn't put it in a negative way that way," Rauch said. "I think it was more about going after a younger audience and finding something that might have more life."
Those of us who work at newspapers laughed at that. Dark laughter, perhaps, but laughter nonetheless.
NEITHER RAUCH OR CAVANAGH was exactly overconfident when it came to the chances of "Love Monkey" turning into a hit. The duo was flying from New York to Los Angeles to meet with TV critics) when the pilot aired.
"We were in the air while the show was airing," Cavanagh said. "We kind of thought we might land and they would be, like, 'You guys don't have to show up.' Like, there's no CBS car. 'Thanks for coming. You can head back on JetBlue. Get yourself over there.' "
That didn't happen. But you've got to wonder at least a bit how committed the network is to the show. CBS only ordered eight episodes. After airing a couple, it's pre-empted for the State of the Union; a couple more air, it's off for a Dr. Phil special; it's on, it's off.
Not a great way to build an audience.
EX-"BEVERLY HILLS 90210" STAR Jason Priestley sounds like he's just happy to have a job — the supporting role as one of Tom's friends in "Love Monkey."
"The experience of being on a show like that, '90210,' albeit a wonderful experience, is also a terrifying experience as a young actor," Priestley said. "I mean, you don't have to look very far through the Screen Actors Guild directory to come across the first guy who was a big teen idol for about five years and then crashed and burned and ended up dead at the door of the Wiltern Theater. I mean, it's gone on and on and on for a long time.
"So to be able to have the opportunity to come back on a show like this and play an older, more mature character, and continue to work in the business, which I love, is a wonderful thing."
E-mail: pierce@desnews.com