Comments on: Fortune Magazine Piece on NBC’s Ben Silverman

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:29:28 +0000

Oh no — the name *is* important because the name is Kevin Reilly, who just happens to be the guy who Silverman replaced at NBC. Reilly subsequently landed at Fox, and the Reilly vs. Silverman barbs (I have Reilly ahead on my boxing scorecard 10-8 for every round)are awesome. Here’s the original story from the LA Times blog about the fracas which was only a few *weeks* ago:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2008/10/will-nbcs-silve.html

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:16:04 +0000

My favorite story about Silverman was something we featured a few months ago from an industry gathering that had all the network heads.

Silverman: “While they’re [the other network heads] at home eating dinner, I’m out dating their children”

Head of Fox TV (name unimportant): “I have boys”

Edit: Robert’s memory is much better than mine, read below.

By: Julia

Julia — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:30:28 +0000

Heh, occasionally listening to my dad rant about the Lions pays off!

By: Jason Clinkscales

Jason Clinkscales — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:08:18 +0000

The Millen reference alone deserves a gold medal.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:47:44 +0000

It would be like Matt Millen saying “The Patriots don’t know how to draft, or build via free agency.”

I think the reason I find his barbs so amusing is because he’s done so little in his tenure. His biggest success is Chuck! I *love* Chuck, but…Chuck!

By: Mikey

Mikey — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:22:55 +0000

That would be a good line if NBC actually was muddling through with high-quality shows and small but affluent audiences.

Precisely which theater is the Deal Or No Deal audience going to?

Silverman made a brilliant deal on The Office and got rich young. Good for him. That’s more than most of us can say. But let’s face it, he sucks at running a television network. He’s taking one of the great brands in American media and burying it.

By: Julia

Julia — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:22:47 +0000

So, basically, NBC’s audience doesn’t watch TV. Got it. That definitely explains the ratings!