Lakers Exec VP/Business Operations JEANIE BUSS hopes her new scripted Showtime program can give "answers to the questions she always gets about being the Lakers' Executive Vice President and directing the business side of the NBA's most glamorous franchise," according to David Aldridge of NBA.com. However, the show, which is part of a collaboration between her group with writer/director RON SHELTON, "isn't about the Lakers." Buss on Sunday said, "It may not even be basketball. It could be any other sports property. ... It isn't based on anybody. It isn't based on my family. It isn't based on the Lakers." The only thing that is certain is that Shelton will "come up with a script, direct it, executive produce it and a pilot will be shot." The show is "likely going to be more drama than comedy, though there will certainly be some funny moments." Other exec producers, besides Buss, are her fiancé, PHIL JACKSON, Jeanie's best friend, LINDA RAMBIS, as well as Linda's husband and Lakers assistant coach KURT. It is "probably a good bet we'll see something on Showtime ... sometime in 2014." Buss had "kicked around the idea of a television show about a pro sports team for a few years." Shelton will "write the script, but there will certainly be collaboration between him and the basketball people." While some successful shows have "nominally involved sports in recent years, there really hasn't been a very good weekly television show centered on basketball since 'THE WHITE SHADOW' went off the air in the '80s." Buss said, "They're not going to use NBA marks or logos. If I'm involved with it, it isn't going to be 'PLAYMAKERS.' It isn't out to make the league look bad or make the team look bad. I wouldn't be involved in anything like that" (NBA.com, 9/16).
