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Watch here. Yes, I feel so much better about NBC improving its dismal primetime prospects now that I’ve watched Ben Silverman toss around phrases like “disintermediated from my audience via technology” and “trigger digital activation” on Charlie Rose last night. Silly me for thinking that Ben was hired to program the network instead of parrot advertising-speak. And how fucking sad is it that Silverman sings the praises of the Today Show rather than anything he actually has something to do with. Also, I do wish Silverman would stop trying to channel Brandon Tartikoff’s ghost (or allow NATPE is to give him a Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award for reasons that thoroughly escape me). Yes, Silverman worked for Tartikoff once upon a time. But Ben, I knew Brandon. Tartikoff was a friend of mine. And, you sir, are no Brandon Tartikoff. It’s especially nauseating to see Silverman quote Tartikoff about never giving up when the network just cancelled one of Ben’s expensive biggies — My Own Worst Enemy, which was plugged relentlessly during NBC’s Olympics — after only a handful of airings. And Silverman doesn’t even fall on his sword for it. (Obviously preferring to use the New York Post‘s Page Six to blame Katherine Pope for the failure instead of himself or Teri Weinberg. That’s one of the fringe benefits of Ben selling his Reveille to Elisabeth Murdoch and yachting with her this summer.)
Though I liked his image of advertiser distaste for “cats peeing” on YouTube, Silverman didn’t actually say anything new last night about the topic of TV in the digital age (funny, after CEO pornster Michael Wolff just called Silverman “functionally digitally illiterate”). Ben sounded instead like Jeff Zucker Lite, who in turn is the Lite version f other media moguls. (Zucker keeps tying to mimic his idols Peter Chernin and Bob Iger. Creepy when media moguls worship their own ilk…) Then again, Rose obviously didn’t do his homework and hadn’t a clue what to ask Silverman to break a sweat much less draw blood. Neither did Fortune, for that matter. But why does Rose repeatedly descend into an idiot when he sits across from anyone in the entertainment industry? His fanboy mode is so damn irritating not to mention a waste of an important forum. I’ll later have the bigger story about Ben which I’m almost done writing.
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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Ben Silverman is an amazing story. Here is a guy who has built a career on borrowing ideas from England and stealing ideas from independent producers. He has never had an original thought with regards to television or film yet he is a guru….while serving as a lap dog for product integration.
Nikki,
You are the best. How about Reveille. Absolutely the dumbest company on earth without Ben. Ben may be a lot of things but he has been successful. Now they have a couple of tree stumps running in circles over there. Wish you would expose the nonsense at Reveille now. Without Ben none of the shows would be anywhere. He bought most of them at NBC. It is a sick and twisted world. A sick and twisted business. But you give levity to it all.
With love,
Thank you.
“Did Tina create that show?”
Rose, next time, please, at least google your guest instead of doing nothing.
How Media savvy are you when:
You can’t pronounce Sarah Palin (Silverman pronounced her “Pal-In”
You think Czechoslovakia is still a country. Silverman described how fans of Czechoslovakia’s rowing team during the Olympics could see then through the myriad of Media platforms that NBC created. Huh?
That country ceased to exist on Dec. 31, 1992. Cut into two (Czech Republic & Slovakia)
As for why Charlie Rose seems to go mushy around entertainment folks, I have a personal recollection of being at The Spotted Pig in New York and Charlie was at a table (with a much younger attractive Asian woman) Charlie dressed too casually in blue jeans (for him) and looking out at the crowd with a look on his face that I could only describe as expectant for the many “fans” to notice him. Charlie Rose definitely digs everything that comes with being Charlie Rose. He digs the fame.
I have to be perfectly honest, I am no longer a network producer or writer looking for my next gig, I am a media coach and from my perspective as a viewer, I thought the guy came off pretty damn well. I have seen Ben in other circumstances where he is more frenetic and his points get lost, but last night I found him to be focused, knowledgeable and straight forward. I know it isn’t “cool” to say something nice on this website, but sorry that’s how I feel.
I really enjoy your blog, but why do you hate Ben so much? It’s becoming very pathetic and obvious that you are envious of his continued success.
But why does Rose repeatedly descend into an idiot when he sits across from anyone in the entertainment industry?
I think Charlie’s hoping someone will read his screenplay about a heroic late night news-talk show host who saves the world and sleeps with Scarlett Johanson.
WOW! Does any one really think those clips (except for 30 Rock) are “some of the best TV around?” If Silverman thinks that is quality programming no wonder more and more people are turning away from network TV.
agreed on rose being annoying when he goes into entertainment industry fanboy mode. especially actors make him swoon and drivel, which is too bad considering he’s otherwise such a talented host.
but silverman? is this how he behaves on a day-to-day level? he came across as an overeager puppy that desperately wants to be loved. like a used-car-salesman who is trying really hard to sell just one ride before his landlord evicts him. it was sleazy and embarrassing.
Nikki, you’re a cunt. Get a life. The end.
So, why haven’t you been invited to Charlie Rose? Or have you? I wonder if you’d intimidate him, too? Prolly.
Rose has a great show, I haven’t seen the episode but I do have it recorded. I prefer the long form interviews to two minutes in a hot seat and cut to commercial, where you can get to the heart of whatever.
Sorry to hear he didn’t call Silverman out, he’s one of the few journalists who’s able to get those guys on air and across a table.
He should use his power for good, not pablum.
While I have come to enjoy Charlie Rose over the years, I get where you’re coming from in regards to his ‘fanboy’ moments. As I used to, and still somewhat, joke that whenever ANYONE from Hollywood (actor to exec) is on the show, the one question you can count on Rose asking is, “…so tell me. How do you do, what you do, so well?????!!!!!”
Despite my growing affection for what Rose does in this increasingly chaotic media environment, it still irks me when he descends into this kind of nonsense when interviewing dolts like Ben Silverman.
Why do you have so much animosity towards Ben? While your blog isn’t necessarily the conventional medium for journalism, isn’t it your job to remain unbiased? I found his interview insightful and interesting. Charlie Rose brought up Brandon Tartikoff, yet you attack Ben for speaking positively about one of his heroes. Perhaps you should take your personal interest out of these articles and replace it with journalistic integrity.
Hi Nikki,
Brandon Tartikoff once responded to a letter I wrote him back in 1979 concerning his shows on ABC at the time. It was a nice letter, and it seemed that he had actually taken the time to read the letter I sent him, as he had addressed some of the points I had raised. It was most kind and thrilled the at-the-time 24-year-old woman a great deal.
Just thot you should know.
Helen
Let’s not forget this is the same douchebag that said that writers and creators were the “ugly kids ruining the cool kids’ prom” back during the writers’ strike. Can’t wait for this tool to go down in flames, get thrown a “production company” biscuit, only to find nobody of substance wants to write for this dick.
Gosh, it sounds if he has his way, an entire show will just be an ad? wtf?
Would someone tell me why NATPE is giving this moron a Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award? Not that I have any respect for NATPE but seriously Silverman needs to be rewarded with a boot to the derriere and a restraining order that keeps him out of the executive suites of any media company.
And Charlie Rose was a really mediocre talk show host back in the 1980s when he did his schtick for the Washington DC affiliate WRC. I’m not a big fan of Rose’s either although he’s improved at interviewing over the years.
I watched the interview last night and came away with the clear impression the Mr. Silverman has no real vision for NBC from a storytelling and entertainment perspective.
It is incredibly clear that you, Ms. Fink, have a personal issue with Ben. ANY head of a network has plenty to critisize and Ben is no exception, but when you can find such scathing venim over a well handled, intelligent conversation between 2 inndustry icons it’s clear that your credibility and objectivity is officially compromised. Your personal agenda is well noted but not respected.
Keep up the good work Ben, living out a dream is a special privelege reserved for only the truly talented.
I’m still reeling from Charlie’s trainwreck of an interview with PT Anderson and Daniel Day Lewis. Sycophancy, drunkenness, hostility and awkward silence make for a bad bad mix. I was afraid to turn on the television for months later. Seriously.
Nikki,
There’s so many awful, mean people in this business to pick on, SO MANY, and you pick Ben? He’s not one of them, but do whatever you want, it’s your blog.
He has actually improved from the days that every interview he gave was cringe worthy.
Sure he didn’t go into storytelling and the development process but that’s because every interview C Rose does with a media exec ends up focusing on b*llshit future technology that isn’t really making money yet.
Can anyone explain why Ben NEVER blinks when he speaks?
Ben Silverman is an amazing story. Here is a guy who has built a career on borrowing ideas from England and stealing ideas from independent producers. He has never had an original thought with regards to television or film yet he is a guru…while serving as a lap dog for product integration.
Maybe so, but does this not describe EVERY film and TV exec in Hollywood?
At least, anyone who’s not independent? Hollywood does create films or television shows. It takes successful shows or films that artists struggled to get made, and then REMAKES them. James Bond is the perfect example. So what Silverman did with the office is, I’m afraid, in keeping with the formula. “BUY BUY BUY what works.”
He’s smart for going to Europe. They have some balls.
Rose may have his faults, he simply has the best show on tv, for whatever that’s worth.