February 2010 Archives

Good morning.  Yesterday, as I was having my monthly lunch with Sumner Redstone at the Hamburger Hamlet in Hollywood, David Geffen stopped by to say hello and asked if he could join us.  We've all known each other for years but it was the first time the three of us ever sat down to a meal.  Geffen ordered another Turning Leaf Chardonnay and a shot of Gordon's vodka and had a seat.

We exchanged a few words about the news that he was Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" inspiration.  He said he thought that song was about him.  I asked him if he wanted to get back into the music business and, if so, would he be interested in taking over Manka Bros. Records - which really needs a shot in the ass (Seamus is coming in far below expectations). 

He declined and said the only thing that interests him now are those little Japanese trees.  Sumner asked Geffen about his art collection and if he'd be willing to sell a few of his more valuable pieces (in reality, Sumner couldn't afford a wall covering from Pier 1 right now).

As they kept talking, a light bulb went off in my head.  I would like to buy some art.  I'm sitting on an enormous pile of cash and need to do something with it.  Banks and stocks are certainly no place to put money these days.  And after the massive layoffs and cutbacks at Manka Bros. last year, it might just be the thing that would cheer me up.  I'm sure the remaining employees at the studio would really get a kick out of knowing their boss has just bought some really great art for his house and office.  And, from what I understand, there are some real bargains out there because of the recession.

So I started to pick David Geffen's brain.  He said his main focus is post-World War 2 Abstract American Art.  Well, that's the most boring fucking thing I could ever imagine.  What I want are Picassos and Van Goghs - art that people have heard of. 

He said he had a few original Picasso sketchbooks that he may be willing to part with... for the right price.  And he had some personal items of Van Gogh - a couple of shoes and an unused toothbrush. 

That kind of shit doesn't interest me at all.  I want that Starry Night painting or the Chick Playing the Lute.  He said he didn't own those.

He mentioned Jackson Pollock and I reminded him of the horrible box office grosses of the movie Pollock.  He reminded me of the horrible box office grosses of Vincent & Theo (which I blame more on Robert Altman than anything else).

I could go on about our insane conversation, but I won't (Geffen went on and on about the brilliance of Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons - I looked them up and they are freaks).

Here's the deal - I want to buy some art.  Anyone at the studio who knows something about it - let me know.  There must be a couple of Art History majors floating around the Script Development Department (God knows we have enough Folklore Mythology majors).  Perhaps I'll even invite you to lunch in my executive dining room.

Khan Manka, Jr. - Chairman & CEO - Manka Bros. Studios

Good morning.  I have returned from my keynote speech in Davos with a new sense of optimism about our business.  After the global success of Avatar and the record-breaking television ratings of the Super Bowl, Old Media is back and we must quickly capture this lightning in a bottle before the New Media geeks take it away from us again.

So... with the recent layoffs and terrible financial news that our company endured last year, it is more important than ever for us to get our ducks in a row.  That said, I am arranging a senior management offsite in about a month to determine where we will go from here.  

I have narrowed our offsite location choice down to either Bali or the The Maldives. 

Please vote on your preference via email or leave a blog comment.  I'll make the final decision in the next few days.

Now, more than ever, we need to commit our resources smartly in order to prosper in this very difficult economic environment. 

Also, congratulations to Lloyd Grohl, he was the winner of the Manka Bros. Super Bowl pool.  Please drop by my office for your $15,250 winnings.  Asshole.

Khan Manka, Jr. - Chairman & CEO - Manka Bros. Studios