And take fucking CNBC with you:
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Confirmed: Jeff Zucker Worst TV Executive in History
After watching the pilot for "Freaks and Geeks" tonight, I felt even more convinced in my belief that Jeff Zucker might be a) the worst executive in television history and b) the most amazing example of failing upwards in modern business history. The show premiered in 1999 to incredible critical acclaim (something that seems obvious after watching one episode) and soft ratings. The fan base was loyal, but small. Jeff Zucker shows up on the scene and killed it off immediately. One and done. Now, look at the talent that was cast on the show and what they are up to:
Not to mention episodes written or directed by:
Starting with Brandon Tartikoff (President at 31!) in 1981 (with the help of Warren Littlefield, a Tartikoff protege) and ending Don Ohlmeyer (left for a promotion in 1999) NBC was always the home of the highest quality and most innovative television. Tartikoff built a juggernaut.
Tartikoff/Littlefield
Ohlmeyer came in and kept the innovation fresh. A show about nothing!
Don Ohlmeyer
Jeff Zucker took over in 2000 and the network has been in terminal decline ever since. Yes, I know that Zucker starting being "beamed" up into the GE mother-ship with his promotion in 2003. Jack Welch apparently loves the guy. But in those three years, he failed to keep the development pipeline fresh, with a number of shows coming to their end of life. Here is his list of winners:
Jeff Zucker
I guess we should all be so fortunate that GE moved him away from the Presidency of NBC, even if for some dumb fucking reason it was via promotion.
The few hits that NBC has now are the result of the brief time Kevin Reilly spent running the network following Zucker's promotion. As the network sunk further, Zucker pulled the plug on Reilly right as Reilly's shows were starting to take off (My Name is Earl, The Office, 30 Rock, Heroes, Friday Night Lights).
He replaced Reilly with Ben Silverman, a former agent who made himself rich importing foreign TV shows for American television. This has had mixed results for Silverman (for every Ugly Betty, there is a Coupling...for every The Office, there is a Kath and Kim). Zucker and Immelt (another Welch disaster of a protege) put Silverman in the slot with no network experience AND let him keep ownership of his production company). With NBC in dead last, with no new breakout hits, what do they do? Put Jay Leno on at 10pm five nights a week, effectively killing television dramas at NBC. I hate Leno and as a television viewer, this makes me angry...though I imagine Conan O'Brien is much angrier. With the exception of the 8:30 to 9:30 block on Thursday nights, NBC is dead to me.
I get it, he was the executive producer of The Today Show, big fucking deal. I could program Katie Couric and Matt Lauer in the middle of the day, gift wrap some celebrity interviews, touchy-feely pieces and a concert or two. That doesn't make me qualified to run NBC, run all NBC networks and move up the GE family. Jesus, please, someone stop the madness. I know GE almost went out of business during the credit crisis and there was chatter that they might sell NBC/Universal. But really, who wants to buy this piece of shit with Zucker's taint (I mean that in more ways than one) all over it.
Jeff Zucker, GFY.
GFY's for 6/17/09
Here is my very special list of people I want to recognize for today. I could probably make a long list of these everyday:
Feel free to add any of your own in the comments if anyone is so deserving.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Good on Fallon
This is pretty good
Jimmy Fallon seems to be executing well on being the new Conan (now that Conan is the new Carson). I've seen him all over Engadget, he's got guests totally willing to participate in gags (see above clip) and has The Roots as his house band. I might need to actually start TiVoing Late Night and scan it for funniness, just like TDS and TCR.
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