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It's now official. HBO just announced that Carolyn Strauss is leaving her longtime gig (though the pay channel took great pains to claim she would get a fat production deal). "Everyone felt this was the right time," an insider told me about her firing because the pay channel has lost all its sizzle. Heck, HBO hasn't had a new hit series in, like, forever. The pay channel was going to announce the shake-up Monday, but then I broke the news Saturday. Not only will there be a new President of HBO Entertainment hired but also a new Head of Series, I'm told.
I've been complaining ad nauseum that Hollywood is waiting for Time Warner chief Jeff Bewkes, a one-time head of HBO, to make a bold move to rejuvenate the ossified pay channel. There was profound disappointment when he replaced HBO chairman/CEO Chris Albrecht after a scandal with two insiders since the company already was filled with execs who seemed to have jobs for life. What's been needed is new blood and fresh creative leadership. As for Strauss (pictured with Larry David, left), I've already reported that she's been phoning it in for a long time while doing business with what seemed like just the same six people. Made president of HBO Entertainment back in February 2004, she'd been at HBO since 1986. 
Finally, Richard Plepler, HBO Co-President, and Michael Lombardo, President of Programming Group and West Coast Operations, made a move to end that. "I think this is a very decisive step for Richard and Michael," a source analyzed. HBO axed its unpopular comedy czar, Bob Crestani, back in November. And the next shoe to drop should be the overrated Colin Calender (a legend in his own mind who recently rejected an offer from Walden Media to develop a new production slate and team).
Nothing would please Hollywood more than if Showtime were on the verge of whacking the hubris out of HBO. Certainly, Showtime has more distinctive programming right now, even if it can't market its way out of a paper bag -- unlike HBO. Problem is, HBO has nothing to sell. Look how many HBO series have tanked: John from Cincinnati, Rome, Deadwood, and Carnivale all had their plugs pulled prematurely. They passed on Mad Men. Critically acclaimed The Sopranos, The Wire, Six Feet Under, Oz, Sex In The City have expired. And replacement series like Tell Me You Love Me and In Treatment are like watching pain dry. Even the once-fun Entourage now sucks. As I've said again and again, HBO needs to once again make the kind of unique and even dangerous programming that can’t air on basic cable or commercial networks. That's what defines pay television. I say shake up the place, get rid of everybody, and start all over.
Previous: I've confirmed there's an HBO shake-up. Tipsters tell me that Carolyn Strauss may be exiting. The change does not affect Colin Calender though he had been approached by Walden Media. (See HBO Needs To Wise Up, Or Get Whacked)
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How about that 12 Miles of Hard Road? I don’t know Butchie instead.
That was quick.
I guess HBO needs some new blood to win back the lead they once held over FX and Showtime.
I suggest that whoever gets the job as president buys the Canadian TV show Intelligence. It’s got gangsters, spies, big business, politicians and heaps of treachery that make the Sopranos look like amateurs.
There are 25 episodes in the can, and since its original broadcaster just cancelled it (A Canadian tradition with quality shows) despite a lot American interest, it’s available.
But I do ramble on sometimes…
This feels like a mistake to me. There is not one development executive in recent times that has the track record that Strauss had. Even shows like In Treatment, Rome and Deadwood may not have had big ratings but were still very impressive high quality shows. I would have been thrilled to have any of those shows on my resume, not to mention the greats–Sopranos, Sex And The City, Curb, Larry Sanders… Do they really think they can find somebody better? Good luck. In the meantime, I imagine the Bob Igers and Peter Chernins of the world will be calling her up soon enough.
ITS ABOUT TIME TO SHAKE THINGS UP THERE, they are all out of touch and too comfy in their jobs, making snoozers for the boomers, but they lost any edge, especially in Films. I know many writers and producers that submitted good edgy projects, but they are shy of taking risks anymore when that is what got them there…
Look, I’m still reeling from the prospect that Chris Albrecht’s departure means we’ll no longer see his uber-talented daughter on “Entourage”. She can act circles around the irrefutably charismatic Adrian Grenier.
As for HBO’s original programming, I pretty watch none of it other than Real Sports, Real Time with Bill “The Babe Magnet” Maher and In Treatment (though they better start wrapping it up). As much as The Wire and Deadwood were lauded for their quality, at the end of the day, we all know it comes down to ratings, DVD sales, overseas sales and any other income generator.
I would say they should be more daring, but when you have one show were sodomy is being performed on rubber phalluses (Tell Me You Love Me) and another with a story that’d make David Lynch say “What the Fuck”? (John from Cincinnati), I think at least they’re trying. It’s just that it’s all misfiring like a SCUD missile.
Since Chris Rock’s film career has blown more than the Santa Ana winds, I’d like to see him do some form of episodic TV (one in which he’s in front of the camera), where I think his talent can be put to better use.
Just throwing ideas out there.
HBO-ver
I think everything Nikki said is right on but I would ad just one other thing. HBO is short for Home Box Office. Where are the movies? They don’t show big Hollywood movies anymore, well they don’t premier them anyway. All the good New Releases are on Cinemax.
It seems to me that HBO and Showtime have been competing in the last few years to see who can become the gayest, most artsy-fartsy pay cable network. HBO needs to get back to basics. MOVIES, MOVIES, MOVIES!
If they had any brains they would realize that what made the Sopranos such a perfect fit was no that it was a good show. But rather that The Sopranos was a great weekly one hour film.
Um, Sure HBO has been slipping. Yes FX has been doing well with it’s dramas and Showtime has finally gotten it right with Weeds, Dexter and Brotherhood. But is HBO really dead?
Not to sure. They have some interesting things in the pipeline… but as for the slippage after shows like Sex, Sopranos and the Wire finishing their great runs you still have to scratch your head at HBO’s decision to stop Deadwood in it’s tracks.
Deadwood was starting to gain solid traction. This show was right up there with The Sopranos and The Wire.
Deadwood infact was just hitting it’s stride knocking each episode out of the park and leaving us wanting more.
Then it was gone. Poof. There were stories of two two hour movies to bring closure… but they too seem to have blown away… sure John was interesting but it was NO Deadwood. The upcoming Police show about NY cops will I’m sure be wonderful… but Milch and HBO please explain… why these but no Deadwood?
I think people started distrusting HBO programming with the cancellation of Carnivale. Sure it didn’t get the ratings but HBO since when did that bother you? You could have at least given that show a finish date like you did Rome. Rome knew it was ending and the producers gave us closure.
HBO, that is why we watch your shows… they are provocative and well done and we have assurance they will be complete without worrying about ratings. After all you don’t sell ad time… right?
Well kudos, Nikki. TOLDUS! Na na na poo poo!
All I know about HBO right now is that the first two parts of ‘John Adams’ were absolutely incredible.
I work at HBO in NYC and we are sick. The problem is not CS, it is the two idiot bosses who took over after CA left.
Everybody in this company thought we had a hit with 12 Miles of Bad Road except cretins Lombardo and Plepler who for reasons no one that actually works here can fathom, decided it was too funny to be on their network! That after having been a suckup PR guy and a lawyer – yeah, their instincts are good!
We are left with a friggin’ bare cupboard and nobody at Time Warner is paying attention.
The word is getting around and we don’t expect anyone with any real ability to show up here anytime soon and take notes from these imbecils.
Dig around and you will find that this email represents almost everyone on both coasts.
It’s really nice that you suggest to get rid of everyone — although it doesn’t effect you. There are a lot of employees at these companies, HBO, New Line, etc — and while we all appreciate your inside scoops, keep your opinions to yourself. How about all the assistants and junior execs who simply do their jobs who would be laid off simply because of a house cleaning? Same with all your hating articles about New Line. I am not sure what Bob Shaye did to you in the past, nor do I care. But what about all the hard working employees who have worked there for 10 to 20 years and are not being laid off. Do you hold any sympathy, or are you just glad to see them “clean house?”
possibly you have too many left leaning programs like bill maher for one, and also rossie o’donnell’s gay cruise. If tou had more balanced programming more people wpuld be interested.
possibly you have too many left leaning programs like bill maher for one, and also rossie o’donnell’s gay cruise. If tou had more balanced programming more people would be interested.
Watching from the sidelines, if you really think In Treatment and Rome are quality programs, then I’ve got some miraculous snake oil I’d like to sell you. Also, Furious D, don’t forget AMC on your list of HBO killers. Mad Men and Breaking Bad are both shows HBO should’ve jumped at.
Who cares what channel is doing well as long as we get good shows, right?
Showtime seems to be the new HBO. And who would think that would ever be said?
Dexter and Weeds are two of the very best shows on TV right now, and HBO has pretty much nothing that stands out.
I agree with the article except for it saying Entourage sucks
A bit of a slump last season, but that happens with a lot of shows.
Deadwood and Carnivale should NEVER have been cut. What was HBO thinking?
She gave The Wire 2 seasons to finish out. For that I wish her all the best and more.
The comment from the person who works for HBO in NY is 100% accurate. I’ve actually seen all six episodes of “12 Miles Of Bad Road” that were completed before the writers’ strike and it’s the best series I’ve seen in years. It’s the lifeboat HBO’s needed forever and now these two morons are refusing to get into it. Fine — let ‘em drown. But if I were a Time-Warner stockholder I’d be outside Bewkes’s office with a torch and a ball-bat.
HBO is the Peter Principle taken to Shakespearan levels. It’s sadly hilarious that their strangulating need to promote from within required three people to replace Albrecht and now they’re talking about making Strauss’ position a two-man job. So HBO can promote the incompetent who’s “earned” it as well as hire someone who knows what they’re doing? Meanwhile, the stacked executive heirarchy is ridiculously confusing. Who do you call over there? Apparently, Lombardo is taking pitches now. He’s super smart, a great lawyer/money man, but in terms of creative, I’d hire a young reader at Warner Bros over that guy. I’d guess Strauss intially supported the executive restructuring figuring Lombardo protected her (they have, or had, a deep friendship) but apparently he’s more interested in playing synchophant to the suits in New York than in guarding original programming from corporate interference. (the way Albrecht did) R.I.P. HBO.
Deadwood was brilliant. Milch said all along that he planned a 4-season run, and then HBO cancels it after 3. I’m still waiting for those two promised 2-hour movies.
Maybe they would have generated more interest in Deadwood if the DVD sets weren’t priced over $80 (for just 12 episodes).
Scurmudgeon:
Must be nice to be a homophobe. What’s your opinion of African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans, Native Americans, Jews and non-submissive women–as if we didn’t already know?
Cactus Jim:
What’s your problem with the First Amendment, wingnut moron?
Flight of the Conchords is one of my favorite shows. It was slow to build an audience, but I think it’s going to be huge. So last summer wasn’t ALL bad news for HBO.
It’s amazing that nobody has yet mentioned that Carolyn Strauss never had any business being in this job and that she is a horrible egomaniacal, untalented, rude putz. The sad thing for HBO is that unique among network bosses their recent leader Chris Albrecht had a deep, creative show business background and therefore a unique understanding and appreciation of the artists, the material, creators and creative process. Now the job will go to some ex-agent, lawyer, MBA, accountant, for whom it will take another lifetime to “get it”. He’ll be good at cutting budgets and busting balls and suggesting ideas he just saw in some movie over the weekend.
Well, it figures. After seeing the trailer and looking forward to this show I’ll never get my hopes up again.
Still mourning Carnival, Sex and the City.
HBO sucks now.
“I work at HBO in NYC and we are sick. The problem is not CS, it is the two idiot bosses who took over after CA left.
Everybody in this company thought we had a hit with 12 Miles of Bad Road except cretins Lombardo and Plepler who for reasons no one that actually works here can fathom, decided it was too funny to be on their network! That after having been a suckup PR guy and a lawyer – yeah, their instincts are good!
We are left with a friggin’ bare cupboard and nobody at Time Warner is paying attention.
The word is getting around and we don’t expect anyone with any real ability to show up here anytime soon and take notes from these imbecils.
Dig around and you will find that this email represents almost everyone on both coasts.”
THIS IS THE TRUTH!!!!!
Bob Greenblatt is the most underrated exec in the business, and has beat HBO at their (in their minds, at least) own game. HBO is utterly bereft of quality, interesting programming (FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS, mentioned in a post above, is inane and I can’t see how anyone beyond stoned college freshmen get a thing from it) and has been for a while. I agree that Colin is very overrated, the movies have been weak and they drive the creative people insane with their hovering, destructive interference.
Truth be told, Chris Albrecht is very missed at HBO. Carolyn was used as the fall person. HBO had a very good run at the top, and they forget who got them there. Shame on Plepler and Lombardo!
Yeah, Colin Calender is not getting this job. The word on the street is that folks along the lines of Katherine Pope, T. Sherman, Dede Gardner are in the running. It’s interesting that the new HBO team let Strauss’ departure get out of the bag before they had a replacement lined up. They’ve barely interviewed anyone for the job.
I, too have seen all the 12 Miles episodes. A friend let me borrow them and I was in love! I am shocked that these two idiots would not put this show on the air with all of the crap HBO currently has playing. I have gone from watching everything HBO produced to not being able to get through two episodes of any of their new shows. I had been telling people that HBO FINALLY had a new hit show that was about to air. Silly rabbit…
These guys are obviously morons! Bring Chris”Boom-Boom” Albrecht back as he obviously knew what he was doing. I hope 12 Miles finds a new home. It’s too good not to. Tell them to call Showtime!
Jeez, “Mark Jefferies,” calm down. Step outside your PC hothouse and read the comments with an open mind. You might learn something about the general audience beyond Los Angeles.
“Scurmudgeon” wants movies from HBO. As a slang term, a lot of people use the word “gay” to denote something overly precious or, well, “artsy fartsy.” I didn’t read their comment as homophobic.
“Cactus Jim” seems to have no problem with the First Amendment. He just doesn’t want to give any money to Bill Maher. I’m a Democrat and I don’t want to give any money to Bill Maher, either.
And as for “All Aboard! Rosie’s Family Cruise,” did anybody sign up for HBO so they could watch someone else’s f’ing Bahaman vacation video, gay or straight? It’s a symptom of how boring HBO has become.
“It’s interesting that the new HBO team let Strauss’ departure get out of the bag before they had a replacement lined up.”
I heard she quit in anger on Fri. People were talking. Lombardo likely worked Saturday to bury the hatchet/stanch bad publicity by convincing her to “transition” into that fat production deal.
For you guys that don’t know much about the show 12 Miles of Bad Road, here is a link to a trailer done by some guys at HBO that loved the show – of course that would cover all but about 3 people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTPtTjn5z_o
Still Disgusted in NY
‘Rome’ was a marketing failure and nothing more. It was as quality a show that has ever been on television and had everything in it to win the ratings gold…graphic sex, graphic violence and great craftsmanship. Go to any site where ‘Rome’ is being discussed(including Pirate Bay) and you will find people are essentially blown away by the quality of it. HBO didn’t bring the audience to it, and the audience would have LOVED it if they did.
Don’t get me started on Deadwood…what HBO did was a travesty. Big Love though, is reaching Sopranos quality IMO.
Missed CactusJim’s comment:
Uh, wingnut America already has 99% of the television programming out there dude. Let us high-falutin’ book learnin’ types have ours mmmmmkaaaay.
All I want to know is, who nixed Mad Men? After all Matt Weiner did for you guys? AIEEEEEE!
I have had it with all the repeats. How many times do I have to watch old Real Sex shows.
Any network that would cancel Inside the NFL has proven it lacks management skills. Good Bye HBO
HBO is headed for the downfall it deserves. Chris Albrecht was the only good thing it ever had in a top post. It’s all bean counters and severely challenged egomaniacs now. To hell with them.
I too, saw all 6 episodes of ” Twelve Miles of Bad Road” at a friend’s house. For a series they’re not going to air, HBO is apparently pretty loose with the DVD copies. Anyway,it wasn’t just good, it was F***ING Brilliant, hilarious, sweet,sad,sentimental,all the things really great story telling can be. Rolling laughing on the floor one minute and tears of sentiment the next. That ” Designing Women” lady can write comedy.
Are the pin heads at HBO out-of their- F***ING-minds, this show would have saved their collective butts after the drivel they’ve been presenting and pretending was worth watching. I might be stupid but I think “Tell Me You Love Me” is just plain poor quality pornography. I saw the sodomy episode and I have to tell you I am grateful my children were not in the room. It was not entertaining,just totally disgusting at the 14 yr old boy level of sniggering fascination.
The two disasters in the making should be fired immediately and someone from HBO should beg the “12 Miles” producers,cast,etc for forgiveness. And on bended knee plead with them to make more episodes not to mention start airing the ones they have already made.
How can Time/Warner afford to place so loose with investor cash, making multi-million dollar decisions based on the total lack of acumen of the two dopes in charge? Where is Chis Albrecht when we need him?