Fox Gives Reilly Three More Years

Last spring, Fox TV did something pretty radical. It decided to air the first episode of a new fall series in May. That was a long lead time for a series, but Fox was confident in the new program. The show was called 'Glee' and the success of that preview coupled with the breakout status when it officially re-premiered in September made Fox's year.

And the guy who gets credit for that and now a new three-year extension is entertainment chief Kevin Reilly. Here's an executive who was dumped by NBC -- great move, Jeff Zucker -- and has done really well at Fox. It's not only 'Glee,' but that's the most flashy, current ratings and pop culture hit.

It's also 'The Cleveland Show' and 'Fringe' and 'Human Target' and getting Ellen DeGeneres onto 'American Idol,' plotting Simon Cowell's new 'X Factor' show for 2011, even the decision to call it a day with '24.' Reilly has done a very good job and there's no reason to think he won't continue to make the right moves for Fox.

Meanwhile, Jeff Zucker's replacement for Reilly, Ben Silverman, was a flame out, and NBC remains mired in the toilet with the exception of the Olympics. It remains to be seen if Reilly will be involved in a potential Conan O'Brien move to Fox, although I'm sure the NBC cast-offs rubbed elbows while working at 30 Rock (the building, not the show).