Living as close to the edge of financial ruin as I do–especially in the last third of every month–I tend to suffer from more FOMO than most. What I wish I could run out and see without giving it a second thought is no longer an option for moi. The latest such example hit theatres … Read more
No, it hasn’t been the best of times for those who are still trying to keep their professional heads above water in media. Ask anyone at Skydance or Netflix, assuming they’re even in a mood to communicate at all. Those that weren’t already forced to reactivate their “open to work” graphics are either tripling down … Read more
I’ve probably spent more time with Chuck Lorre than almost any other producer in the 21st century, and I’m including the ones I’ve actually worked with. He’s arguably been the prolific creator of repeatable comedies in that span, especially THE BIG BANG THEORY, which my ex and I discovered just before it began its nearly … Read more
There’s only so much television that any human being can watch, especially ones like myself who have failed to discover the joy of Red Bull and who occasionally do get enough relief from migraine headaches to have something resembling a normal sleep pattern. Last night was not one of those nights. And with nothing of … Read more
So much for duplicity. As late as yesterday I was merely asking the question if Netflix’s decision to relieve 1000 or so dedicated employees of their responsibilities was right-sizing or performance-related. Yesterday’s even more stunning news made it crystal clear it was far more the latter. VARIETY’s Rebecca Rubin was among the first to share … Read more
It was no secret that Netflix was going to be swinging an ax this week. Word began to trickle out over the weekend that what DEADLINE’s intrepid Nellie Andreeva, among others, reported just before dawn yesterday would be happening. The basics she covered in her introduction were stark but not unexpected: Netflix has initiated a … Read more
I’ve recently been helping a friend compose his memoir about our times with different divisions of a company called Metromedia that preceded our mutual times together at FOX. As part of the process I’ve been helping his much younger though curious writer with background which forced me to trigger memories of exactly what I did … Read more
While I’ve never not minded being seen as the answer man in many a conference or break room, I’ve always looked forward to the opportunity to learn from others in the process. Knowing what one doesn’t know is to me as much of a hallmark of a successful executive as any other quality. Judging by … Read more
I was once as much of an unapologetic Aaron Sorkin supporter as anyone. Between the riveting dialogue and seminal casting of A FEW GOOD MEN, the hypnotic walk-and-talk and almost idyllic version of the White House captured in THE WEST WING and the brilliantly sardonic and spot-on lens on TV journalism that was offered in … Read more
I actually don’t envy people who feel the need to get so worked up over something as relatively inconsequential as a television show. I grew up a game show geek myself/ I spent decades working with exceptionally talented people who create and produce them, and I will readily admit I’m still a viewer and a … Read more