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UPFRONTS 2013: The Overachievers 
TNT & TBS Upfront News: ‘Closer’ Spinoff, ‘Wedding Band’, ‘Wedding Band’ Picked Up To Series, ‘Conan’ To Hit The Road, Development Slates Announced
UPDATE, 8:35 AM: Turner executives’ nightmare is over. Koonin returned to the stage to tell advertisers that TNT and TBS plan a major campaign to appeal to viewers who want to watch shows on mobile devices. The networks will advertise that they offer “drama on demand” and “comedy on demand.” Koonin paraphrased crooner Richard Marks: “Wherever you go, whatever you do, TBS and TNT will be there waiting for you.”
PREVIOUS, 8:20 AM: Video came back about 15 minutes ago and appears to be OK. Whatever happens, the technical woes gave Conan O’Brien more ammo for a routine that took several jabs at Turner Entertainment. When the breakdown ruined one of his gags, he said, “You know I love working at TBS — the commitment to detail.” After a stagehand told him to skip the routine with the clip, he added: ”Alright, I guess I’ll do what I’m told. Beggers can’t be choosers.” Earlier he said, “I did this upfront last year. Frankly, I don’t know why TBS doesn’t do what it does best and run it again -– four freaking times.” Also: “We’re already No. 1 in TBS’ key demographic: People who can’t afford HBO.”
PREVIOUS 7:55 AM: The video projection is working again after a second breakdown, which led execs to enlist Ray Romano to do a stand-up routine. “They said earn your money,” he said. “Have you seen my paycheck?” But the embarrassing glitch may do wonders for Turner Entertainment president Steve Koonin’s career after he kept ad buyers entertained during the initial delay. “Unfortunatly we had a power surge,” he said. “It blew something. I’m Jewish –- I have no idea. … the shit stopped working. … I think you can make Univision tomorrow, but I’d ration your pasteries and beverages.” He added: ”We’re not changing our pricing because of this, but our expenses are going down if you know what I mean.”
PREVIOUS, 7:33 AM: What’s the worst thing that could happen at an upfront presentation? It may be what’s taking place at the TNT-TBS gathering right now: The network can’t show clips of its shows to the audience. The session is on hold while technicians try to solve the problem, but it already screwed up one of Conan O’Brien’s comedy routines.
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Seriously TNT hire someone to run your projectors and computers.
thousands would do that job!
Kudos to Koonin for being sharp and treating the situation with humor.
Agreed, that man is a genius.
koonin was incredible up there. had to feel for the turner people but the new shows look good and i think this memorable upfront will only help them this season
I feel a new slogan coming: “We know comedy…of errors”
Boooo.
To Err is human……
Kudos to the most HUMAN Broadcasting company in the world!
last year the jet they chartered for all their talent and executives broke down and kept everyone on the ground for 6 hours. Koonin and Wright are two clowns desperate to play with the big boys….and yet they can’t even put on a proper presentation. It’s all a reflection on how they run their business and how they treat their employees….carelessly.
I’ve worked at several of the big media companies and I’ve been treated best by far at Turner. Any reason why you are such a disgruntled ex-employee?
Dude, if you’re going to sling mud like that, at least come up with a creative name to do it under instead of just being “Anonymous” like that. Or is a lack of creativity the same reason why they passed on your pitch?
If you think that those executives wanted anything less than perfection today, you are mistaken. There isn’t an executive in that company who doesn’t care about every show they make, not because of their paychecks, but because they actually believe in the talented/genius people that work with them. Don’t tell me you think those “Big Boys” you speak of actually care about their employees? From the same thread, they can also be called “Clowns”. They just happen to have a better day today. Lighten up.
not disgruntled
there was no pitch passed on…if only I could come up with something as inventive as “veteran assistant”
and certainly no one intentionally “wanted anything less than perfection” at that presentation.
the big boys don’t treat folks any better, it’s true.
but these Turner guys are desperate to be in with the cool kids — by their definition the broadcast networks. That’s what they expected Conan to do for them. If you’re going to position your network that way then you’d better be prepared to up your game. Name dropping and star-f**king will only get you so far.
You are correct in saying that the event should have went off without a hitch. Agreed. I think everyone there would agree with you on that. But in Hollywood, as you know, name dropping is the nature of the beast. I see your angle and am not discrediting your claims. I do feel it’s a tad hypocritical to diss a company for aiming high. It’s a risk, but what fun would this business be without competition? Just saying.
I find it tasteless when someone like Ray Romano jokes about how
little money he is making on TNT. Seriously, you’re a multifuckingmillionaire.
I took his joke the exact opposite … as in I make too much money to actually tell jokes that will make us even. Who knows? Either way, lighten up … it was funny.
Morning laugh X2. props to all for thinking on their feet.
Pretty much sums up the way things are going for stellar Team Coco.
Classic that the system first broke down during Conan’s routine. Nothing’s seemed to go right for him since he joined Turner.
Like what? (and this is a real question) What has gone wrong?
From where I am standing (and as a HUGE Conan fan) the only problem he is having at TBS is that his show is just not funny. Just not. Maybe it’s the execs and their notes, maybe it’s the writers… whatever it is, the show just isn’t funny.
So what’s the dirt? What has ‘not seemed to go right’ for Conan at Turner?
His show was never funny to begin with, he’s a pompous egomaniac who is getting what he deserves…nobody watching him.
What’s not gone right is that he’s lost millions of viewers. Not necessarily Turner’s fault, but his own. He had a chance to reinvent himself with the move to TBS and instead he trotted out the same old show, leaving only the diehard Conan fans around to watch it. It’s been a bad marriage since the beginning. Don’t really see the Turner brass talking about CPM parity with broadcast nets this upfront. And don’t hear them putting Conan up against Stewart and Colbert, who are 1 and 2 with the young guys that Turner does crow about, broadcast and cable combined. The show just came off its worst week ever and I doubt it has hit bottom. There are many nights that he’s fourth behind Jon, Stephen and Chelsea. Lopez is in even worse shape. Look for George to get the boot within a year and wouldn’t be surprised to see Conan follow him out the door as well. Lots of Conaco shows on their development slate. Not sure what to make of that. One thing is for sure, Conan has made a mint from Turner between his salary and his shingle so someone should tell him to quit bemoaning how cheap cable is on his show.
Same exact thing happened to me about 12 years ago at ShoWest. Beautifully produced three-monitor presentation, everyone in their seats, power surge, frantic attempts to get everything back online. Took way longer than 15 minutes. Probably the worst experience of my life. Such a helpless feeling. I still have a little PTSD from it. And no one was doing stand-up for mine. Just a lot of uncomfortable rustling in their seats. Can we stop talking about this now? I’m hyperventilating.
i feel slightly guilty that i find your trauma so hilarious…sorry!
Any news on the Dallas re-do???
I am soooooooooooooooooooo hoping it gets a pick-up.
Please tell me it is so I can get a good night sleep tonight.