Deadline Hollywood – Page 3

October 1, 2009April 28, 2011

The Jay Leno Show Has Failed

Based on last night’s overnight ratings (September 30, 2009: 4.1/7), the above headline is what nearly every television production executive is screaming down the halls today (with the exception of those at NBC Universal. They’re probably screaming something like… Will Comcast contribute to my 401K? What happens to our stock options?, etc.).

Now, a 4.1/7 is a grand slam on The CW. If every show on The CW got a 4.1/7, Dawn Ostroff (President) would be carried around on one of those Cleopatra-type chairs. However, this is NBC and this is Jay Leno. We’ve heard from stories past (lies in my opinion), that Jay only needs to “get a 1.5 rating (A18-49) to make $300 million a year for NBC”. So a 4.1/7 is comfortably in that range – but still pathetic based on pre-season expectations.

However, there is a way that NBC can save face in the middle of this debacle. They don’t even need to cancel The Jay Leno Show (why would you when you’re making that kind of bank? I’m sure Comcast will do a complete audit in due-diligence – so one day we’ll know for sure).

Here’s what you do, NBC: BUY BILLBOARDS strategically-positioned around every major television production facility (as demonstrated below). Every week, update the profit number of The Jay Leno Show and then put a tag at the bottom that reads something like: “Hey TV Execs, how are your fall shows doing? Throwing Off Any Cash?”

This would bring home the fact that The Jay Leno Show HAS NOT FAILED. It might just stop this town from obsessing over ratings and fucking market share. Ask The Food Network about their profits? I think they’ll tell you they’re doing just fine. And when was the last time they got even a 1.0/3 share? It means nothing.

But, NBC, you have lost the PR war and it’s time to fight back. Forget trying to put TV stars from other networks on with Jay. Jay is about movie stars and pop icons. Fuck Julianna Margulies, Jay. You don’t need her or her TV friends and complaining in the media about it makes you look like a pussy (even more so).

Jill Kennedy – OnMedea

P.S. – I have nothing against Julianna Margulies. Big fan. She’s just F-ed by example.

September 25, 2009April 29, 2011

The Beautiful Life: TBL – CANCELLED!

Adam Giaudrone, Ari Emanuel, Ashley Madekwe, Ashton Kutcher, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Corbin Bleu, Dawn Ostroff, Dawn Tarnofsky, Deadline Hollywood, Elle Macpherson, Jeff Weiner, Jill Kennedy, Khan Manka, Manka Bros., Mike Kelley, Mischa Barton, Nico Tortorella, Nikki Finke, OnMedea, Sara Paxton, Shane Newville, Sharon Waxman, Swingtown, Terry Semel, The CW, The Vampire Diaries, thewrap.com

After only two pathetically rated episodes, The Beautiful Life: TBL has the distinction of being the first show cancelled of the 2009/2010 television season.

Sorry Mischa. You heard it here first… last week.

Jill Kennedy – OnMedea

September 23, 2009April 29, 2011

John Ferriter and The Jay Leno Show

ABC, Angela Bromstad, Ari Emanuel, Barry Diller, Ben Silverman, Beverly Hills Hotel, CBS, CSI: NY, Deadline Hollywood, Dick Wolf, Eastwick, ER, Gossip Girl, Jay Leno, Jay Leno ratings, Jeff Weiner, Jeff Zucker, Jeffrey Immelt, Jill Kennedy, John Ferriter, Kate Gosselin, Khan Manka, Law & Order, Manka Bros., Nikki Finke, Octomom, OnMedea, Paul Telegdy, Peter Roth, Producers Caucus Panel, Sharon Waxman, Terry Semel, The CW, thewrap.com, Warner Bros., William Morris Endeavor

So, earlier today, I said that Leno’s 4.5/8 share was a disaster for NBC and they should start to think about living in a post-Leno world.

But I was just made aware of a statement by John Ferriter (head of WME’s Non-Scripted Department) at the Producers Caucus Panel that all Jay Leno needed to get was a 1.5 share (A18-49) in order to make NBC $300 million.

WHAT THE FUCK?!

Now by “make” I don’t know if he means revenue (which doesn’t make it a crazy statement) or profit (which makes it a crazy statement). Either way – it’s bullshit and I don’t believe it.

If this was true, why wouldn’t every network do it? Why wouldn’t Jeff Zucker be screaming it from the rooftops to Wall Street? Gossip Girl gets a 1.5 rating and The CW doesn’t make shit. I know… I know… it’s not apples-to-apples – but it’s still bullshit.

I started to wonder why John Ferriter would take such a bold stand and why does he really care? Then I found the above picture of Mr. Ferriter with my old friend Ben Silverman in Vegas and it all made sense.

Seems to me Mr. Ferriter is just defending his friends’ crazy business model. Ben has dated quite a few crazy business models in the past – but none so bold and insane as the one that makes $300 million for 1.5 rating. Now that’s one hot model!

Why would NBC let such a genius get away?

So, according to my math, a 4.5/8 share should “make” NBC around $900 million.

Jesus Christ! The Broadcast Network business is a great business!

Jill Kennedy – OnMedea

September 23, 2009May 2, 2011

OH NO – Jay Leno’s Ratings Last Night – 4.5/8

Angela Bromstad, Ari Emanuel, Ben Silverman, Deadline Hollywood, Grace Kelly, Gregorian Calendar, Jay Leno, Jeff Weiner, Jeff Zucker, Jeffrey Immelt, Jill Kennedy, Khan Manka, Manka Bros., National Cream Filled Donut Day, NBC, NFL Monday Night Football, Nikki Finke, OnMedea, Paul Telegdy, Sharon Waxman, Terry Semel, The Jay Leno Show, thewrap.com, Tony Disanto

Sorry, Jay. The competition is only going to get tougher (just wait until you hit first-run episodes of those Thursday night dramas).

I hate for you to fail. You’re such a likable guy. But I LOVE that Ben Silverman is failing (failing upwards, I suppose, but still failing!).

It’s a real conundrum.

Good luck tonight against CSI: NY on CBS and Eastwick on ABC. Okay, you might do fine against Eastwick – maybe even a 4.7/9 share! Whoopee!

It may be time to get OctoMom and Kate Gosselin in some sort of a wresting match – because only stunts like that can help you now.

[Note to Angela Bromstad and Paul Telegdy at NBC: You may want to contact Dick Wolf to get some more Law & Order iterations going. Also, call Peter Roth over at Warner Bros. to see how long it might take to rebuild the ER set.]

Jill Kennedy – OnMedea

September 21, 2009May 2, 2011

It’s Time To Kill The Emmys

61st Annual Emmy Awards, ABC, Angela Bromstad, Anne Sweeney, Ari Emanuel, Ben Silverman, CBS, Chris O'Donnell, Dawn Ostroff, Deadline Hollywood, Don Mischer, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog, Family Guy, Fox, Jeff Weiner, Jill Kennedy, Khan Manka, Les Moonves, LL Cool J, Manka Bros., NBC, NCIS: Los Angeles, Neil Patrick Harris, Nikki Finke, OnMedea, Paul Telegdy, Sandy Grushow, Seth McFarlane, Sharon Waxman, Terry Semel, The CW, The Simpsons, thewrap.com

Frankly, no one gives a shit anymore. Last night’s show was painful.

A tour of the set? Seriously? Matthew Weiner, creator of Mad Men, is unable to give an acceptance speech for winning Best Drama because there was a five minute TOUR OF THE SET at the beginning of the show? “Where we will all be spending the next three plus hours!”

The opening number from the Academy Awards winning for Best Musical Number? Best Musical Number?

That painfully long Family Guy bit with the baby killing the dog (full disclosure – I’m a Simpson’s girl and think Family Guy sucks so I probably wouldn’t have liked even if it were short and funny).

There there was bit-after-painful-bit about the demise of television. Television, the way it was in 1979 is dead – TELEVISION ISN’T DEAD! What else are we supposed to do to pass the time on this miserable planet? We like the internet, we like television, we like movies, we like going out to dinner, we like talking on the phone, we like working out, we like going to the park with our kids, we like going to Disneyland… just because we spend a few hours less watching TV doesn’t make it the end of the world!

I know there is a lot of insecurity in this town and a very strong need to give each other awards. But would the programming change if there wasn’t Emmy Awards? Are the actors from NCIS: Los Angeles relevant in any way? Was an appearance by the Gossip Girls a way to reach out to 15 year olds? As an experiment, Television Academy, why don’t you put next year’s awards on the Disney Channel and see how many young girls you get to watch… But that would never happen because the Emmys are much too prestigious for that.

I know the old white executives want it to be 1979 again when the television audience apparently actually cared if M*A*S*H would win or lose – but those days are gone.

It’s over. Kill it already. Every year it sucks and every year we watch. Over half that crowd (i.e., the late night comedy show writers), wanted to be watching the Giants/Cowboys game on NBC. Myself included.

Jill Kennedy – OnMedea

September 17, 2009April 29, 2011

The Beautiful Life: TBL – R.I.P.

With a 1.1/2 rating for its PREMIERE, this show is done.

Sorry Dawn. One out of three ain’t terrible. If it weren’t for The Vampire Diaries… well, you know the rest.

Jill Kennedy – OnMedea

September 15, 2009April 29, 2011

My Ex-Asshole Boss Richard Fuld Plays Tennis With Khan Manka!

Ari Emanuel, Bellini, Credit Suisse, Deadline Hollywood, Dom Perignon, Erin Burnett, Femme Aux Bras Croises, Glenn Vogelman, Goldman Sachs, Greycroft Partners, Harry's Bar, Henry Blodget, Ian Sigalow, Jeff Weiner, Jeffrey Logsdon, Jessica Reif Cohen, Jill Kennedy, Khan Manka, Lehman Brothers, Los Angeles Country Club, Manka Bros., Meredith Whitney, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Nikki Finke, OnMedea, Oppenheimer & Co., Picasso, Richard "The Gorilla" Fuld, Richard Fuld, Riviera Country Club, Sharon Waxman, Silicon Alley Insider, Spencer Wang, Steve Jobs, Steven Spielberg, Story of Fuld, Street Sweetie, Terry Semel, thewrap.com, Vijay Jayant, World's Largest Media Company

Holy shit! I can’t believe it. It’s like a dagger right into the breast!

My new employer (Khan Manka, Jr.) PLAYED TENNIS YESTERDAY with my old boss (the asshole Richard Fuld of Lehman Brothers).

I feel so dirty. I feel so ashamed.

What the fuck, Khan! He’s an old friend?!?!?!

I may have to rethink my future here at Manka Bros.

Jill Kennedy – OnMedea

September 14, 2009April 29, 2011

Jay Leno’s Big Night

Tonight is either beginning of the end of NBC or the beginning of a new television business model.

I’m betting BIG on the former.

It will be interesting to follow The Jay Leno Show’s ratings for about a week and then the media will become bored reporting that Jay’s numbers were, once again, 5.3 with a 7 share (2.3 / 4 18-49).

But at least for tonight, it’s interesting.

All I can say is – Good Luck, Jay. You’ll still be a rich and successful man even though you are now the face of dying network.

(In truth, broadcast networks are already dead… but I digress.)

My predictions on how the NBC promotions department will spin tomorrow’s ratings:

Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Because of the low production costs, we don’t need home run ratings to make a big profit.

Considering Jay was opposite the premiere of Monday Night Football, he did very well.

Obviously, we were hoping for a much bigger number, but we firmly believe that the audience will grow once kids have adjusted to returning to school.

Even though it was National Cream Filled Donut Day, we posted very strong numbers.

If we would have known this was the date that Grace Kelly died in a car crash (in 1982), we probably would have waited to premiere Jay’s show.

There may have been some confusion by those people who haven’t adapted to the Gregorian calendar.

Once again, good luck Jay. You’re in a no win situation.

Jill Kennedy – OnMedea

September 4, 2009April 29, 2011

Nikki Finke’s New Business Strategy Will Fail

Ari Emanuel, Deadline Hollywood, deadline.com, Hollywood gossip, Jeff Bewkes, Jeff Weiner, Jill Kennedy, Khan Manka, Manka Bros., Nikki Finke, OnMedea, Sharon Waxman, Terry Semel, The Wrap, TheWrap.com, Time Warner

Dear Nikki,

Your new business strategy will fail. This morning, a new (unremarkable) web design was revealed along with a new address (Deadline.com) and it is a disappointment. A disappointment to all us bomb throwers out there who are just trying to make a buck with salacious stories about other people’s lives.

I say it’s a disappointment because DHD is a straight-out-of-bed must read for nearly everyone in the business of media. You should resist the urge to turn it into something more than it is.

I don’t understand why people in this industry find it difficult to be content with success.

Nikki, you had an amazing one woman operation (terrible graphics and all – but it worked) with great inside sources, timely scoops and the freedom to say whatever the fuck you wanted.

That’s all going to change now.

You are attempting to become a corporation – a media conglomerate, if you will. You seem to fancy yourself one of those top media executives whose career you could bring down with one click of the “Publish” button. I fear those days are ending.

I believed you when you said nothing would change after being bought by Mail.com Media Corporation (I would have put a link of that last sentence to the blog you wrote after being bought – but it appears to be gone! See what I mean?).

Believe me, I’m not against buyouts. Manka Bros. doesn’t pay me shit and we all need capital to run a successful business. But now you’re opening offices (OK, hiring a couple bloggers in pajamas) in several other world cities under the “Deadline” brand. Plus, you talk about technical people and designers. Please. Can you look at the numbers and tell me that your free cash flow margin isn’t decreasing?

Do you seriously believe you’ll find other “Nikki Finke’s” in London, Hong Kong, Syndey, et al? What the fuck scoops are you going to get in Mumbai? There are plenty of great media muckrakers in that country. They don’t need you. There is only one Nikki Finke and paying other people to digg up fresh scandals in international territories isn’t going to work.

I’m going to miss the freshness, the immediacy and especially that feeling that we’re getting real inside dope.

But it’s not too late to change! Stay small and profitable. Don’t expand and be forced out of business in a year. Or worse, in a year, don’t attempt to go back to your old self in a pathetic display of “Well, I tried!”

Jill Kennedy – OnMedea

August 31, 2009April 29, 2011

Disney Buys Marvel!

Alan Fine, Ari Emanuel, Bob Iger, David Maisel, DC Comics, Deadline Hollywood, Disney, Isaac Perlmutter, Jeff Bewkes, Jeff Weiner, Jill Kennedy, John Turitzin, Kenneth P. West, Khan Manka, Manka Bros., Marvel, Marvel Comics, Nikki Finke, OnMedea, Sharon Waxman, Simon Philips, Terry Semel, Walt Disney Company

My spidey senses nailed this one. Friday I said it would happen – and now it is so!

My colleage Nikki Finke loves to say “TOLDJA” – but she didn’t get this one!

In a deal that shocked everyone in the industry except me, Disney today announced it will purchase Marvel Entertainment – the total value about $50/share or $4 billion for company.

Here’s the press release:

DISNEY TO ACQUIRE MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT

Worldwide leader in family entertainment agrees to acquire Marvel and its portfolio of over 5,000 characters

Acquisition highlights Disney’s strategic focus on quality branded content, technological innovation and international expansion to build long-term shareholder value

Burbank, CA and New York, NY, August 31, 2009 –Building on its strategy of delivering quality branded content to people around the world, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) has agreed to acquire Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:MVL) in a stock and cash transaction, the companies announced today.

Under the terms of the agreement and based on the closing price of Disney on August 28, 2009, Marvel shareholders would receive a total of $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares for each Marvel share they own. At closing, the amount of cash and stock will be adjusted if necessary so that the total value of the Disney stock issued as merger consideration based on its trading value at that time is not less than 40% of the total merger consideration.

Based on the closing price of Disney stock on Friday, August 28, the transaction value is $50 per Marvel share or approximately $4 billion.

“This transaction combines Marvel’s strong global brand and world-renowned library of characters including Iron Man, Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor with Disney’s creative skills, unparalleled global portfolio of entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximizes the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories,” said Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. “Ike Perlmutter and his team have done an impressive job of nurturing these properties and have created significant value. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney.”

“We believe that adding Marvel to Disney’s unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation,” Iger said.

“Disney is the perfect home for Marvel’s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses,” said Ike Perlmutter, Marvel’s Chief Executive Officer. “This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney’s tremendous global organization and infrastructure around the world.”

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Marvel including its more than 5,000 Marvel characters. Mr. Perlmutter will oversee the Marvel properties, and will work directly with Disney’s global lines of business to build and further integrate Marvel’s properties.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Marvel have each approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to Disney shares issued in the transaction and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval of Marvel shareholders. Marvel was advised on the transaction by BofA Merrill Lynch.

Investor Conference Call:

An investor conference call will take place at approximately 10:15 a.m. EDT / 7:15 a.m. PDT today, August 31, 2009. To listen to the Webcast, turn your browser to http://corporate.disney.go.com/investors/presentations.html or dial in domestically at 800-260-8140 or internationally at 617-614-3672. For both dial-in numbers, the participant pass code is 51214527.

The discussion will be available via replay on the Disney investors website through September 14, 2009 at 7:00 PM EDT/4:00 PM PDT.

About The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, interactive media and consumer products. Disney is a Dow 30 company with revenues of nearly $38 billion in its most recent fiscal year.

About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.
Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics).

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I think it’s a great deal for Disney. Great for owners of IP in general. It puts a premium on content creation and content ownership. Bully for you, Bob Iger! Electronic Arts is next and then you guys are all set.

Jill Kennedy – OnMedea