I'm still stuck on "auspices."
Variety on The CW hubbub:
Still, the CW will need fewer pilots this development season than the old combo of the WB and UPN.
It doesn't help that, per CBS Par Group topper Nancy Tellem, UPN has quietly worked out a deal to keep WWE's "Friday Night Smackdown" on the air for at least two more seasons.
CBS Corp. supremo Leslie Moonves said he wanted to get the merger deal done before most pilots were ordered so there wouldn't be as much waste.
Based on the WWE mention, it sounds like any commitments that were in place before still apply. I think the WB had at least a couple pilots with penalties if the show wasn't picked up. It's an embarrassment of brooding teenage riches!
Also, I'm gonna refer to Moonves as "supremo" from now on.
CBS Corp. supremo Leslie Moonves said he wanted to get the merger deal done before most pilots were ordered so there wouldn't be as much waste.
That makes sense.
Based on the WWE mention, it sounds like any commitments that were in place before still apply.
Other than "Smackdown!," have the WB and/or UPN made similar deals w/ any other shows?
I think the WB had at least a couple pilots with penalties if the show wasn't picked up.
But, couldn't the WB (or CW) conceivably choose NOT to pick up those pilots, and pay the penalties anyway?
Truth be told, I don't consider any of the shows that Moonves and others have "name-checked" in their official statements to be "safe." Then again, I don't take anything any network/studio honcho says as gospel. They've lied to audiences before. What is to stop them from doing so again and again?
Oh, and about "The Way"...
It is odd to have "family," "soap," "witches," and "SOPRANOS" in the same sentence, describing the same show. Until further notice, though, we'll just have to take their word for it.
::attempts to shake Tim from hibernation::
The Way is actually Tim's next project.
Lemme try...
Alexander Hamilton beat his wife and raped his dog.
That Old Gang of Mine was the best episode ever.
Other than "Smackdown!," have the WB and/or UPN made similar deals w/ any other shows?
ANTM was renewed for 2 season beyond this one. But I don't think the WWE deal was was widely known; I can't find it mentioned anywhere before today.
But, couldn't the WB (or CW) conceivably choose NOT to pick up those pilots, and pay the penalties anyway?
Oh, sure. But the odds are against that happening.
They've lied to audiences before. What is to stop them from doing so again and again?
I don't know what's anyone's said that could be a lie at this point. Apart from the network merge. Well, and Supremo saying that CW would make a profit in its first year.
You know, if Tim wrote for House, patients would actually
die
now and again.
I don't know what's anyone's said that could be a lie at this point.
I was talking about network and studio honchos in general, Strega. I don't trust anything that any network or studio honcho says in general. (As a matter of fact, I downright make a rule of it.) No matter how clear-headed he/she may sound at that moment. Why? Because, these individuals have a habit or saying, or promising, one thing, and then...doing the opposite. Or using a lot of words to "neither confirm nor deny," or to cover up the real story behind a particular situation, or to say...absolutely nothing at all.
ETA: I'm clarifying in case you (or anyone else) thought I was talking about WB and CBS/UPN execs specifically. Although, I'm including them in my statement, aren't I? Hmm.
