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Nicole Harjo, manager of current development at CBS’ Paramount TV, is the latest to be laid off, I’m told. Meanwhile, word reaching me from inside is that there were going to be a lot more firings but CBS Paramount Network Television President David Stapf talked Les Moonves down to just a few. (See my CBS Lays Off 3 Veterans At Paramount TV)
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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Huh. I thought CBS was actually doing well these days.
Way to reward the people who keep you at #1.
Merry Christmas!
When is Stapf going to be laid off?
Good for David Stapf. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard of him putting his head on the chopping block to save jobs. And surely he realizes that once a position is eliminated, it disappears forever. Some VP will get bumped into Brian’s spot, and some SVP will get bumped in Crenna’s spot, and VP and SVP spots will be left empty forever, meaning a lot more work for the survivors in those departments. (I’ve been through this – the next worse thing to getting laid off is getting assigned the duties of the person who got laid off — double the work for the same money.)
I know many of the people at CBS both at the network and the studio, and they are a pretty smart group. Not unpleasant to deal with at all. Generally very honest, and loathe to waste your time. But I’ll add this: none of them seem particularly passionate about television. They truly don’t care about things like winning Emmys or getting good reviews. The only thing they care about is what Les thinks and the ratings (which are generally related). If I had a dime for everytime a CBS exec said, “Well, I don’t think Les would agree,” or “Les doesn’t like that actor,” or “Les isn’t a fan of the genre,” I would have, well, at least $50 by now. Except of course people at CBS quit calling Les “Les” a couple of years ago. Now he’s Leslie.
CBS had “only” 9 of the top 10 shows in the ratings last week.
Those people “deserve” to be fired.
Who is running CBS, Joseph Stalin?
He killed off his best generals too.
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Yes but how many of those shows were developed by the executives at CBS Paramount who were fired? They’re all lovely people and my heart goes out to them because nobody deserves this at Christmas time, but they were ineffective at best as a development team.
Stapf was a prodigy of Barbara Brogliatti and worked for Les at Warner Bros. Amazing how he managed to stay such a nice guy after working under Barbara for all those years. Maybe his mother-in-law, actor Bonnie Frnaklin helped set good values in him. Someday he will replace Moonves!!
Funny, although unrelated, comment by No Longer In the Biz.
YES! Les HAS become Leslie over the past 5 years! It’s always irked me to a much greater extent than something so trivial should. Why would you insist on being referred to as Leslie? Les isn’t so great, but it’s a hell of a lot better than Leslie. That name is something to overcome, not to embrace. Like a mole you insist on calling a beauty mark instead of removing. No offense to any other male Leslies out there…
Also, very true how everything has to follow Les(lie)’s vision. And everyone is open about it. The people that he’s laying off have done well following his orders, (some in a much more palatable and less sycophantic fashion than others). So in as sense, isn’t he firing himself?
Bonnie Franklin is not David’s mother-in-law – she is his aunt-in-law.
David Stapf is the only man in Hollywood.
David runs the creative production not the network, so all the CBS shows are not his. Since he took over the Creative Development only BH 90210 has lasted more then one season. All the other shows are from the old Paramount Network TV group (all fired by Les). Once the current shows get tired and David has created none to take their place he will be canned.
I’m surprised these people have lasted this long. David’s job is to just do whatever Leslie and Nancy tell him. No way could he talk Leslie out of firing anyone.
Response to “Mostly to no(one) longer” regarding “Why would you insist on being called Leslie?”:
Ummm … Maybe because that’s his name? A name that means “Joy”. And a name I am proud my parents gave me as well. They also taught me respect for others. Too bad your parents did not do the same. “No offense.”
Dear wawalisa,
I do indeed Apologize. Although i don’t understand why you now choose “WawaLisa” now instead of Leslie. Leslie is much more dignified and you are proud of it. Perhaps WawaLisa is your confirmation name…