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Overview
In the executive offices of the four major networks, sweeping changes are taking place and billions of dollars are at stake. Now Bill Carter, bestselling author of The Late Shift, goes behind the scenes to reveal the inner workings of the television industry, capturing the true portraits of the larger-than-life moguls and stars who make it such a cutthroat business.In a time of sweeping media change, the four major networks struggle for the attention of American viewers increasingly distracted by cable, video games, and the Internet. Behind boardroom doors, tempers flare in the search for hit shows, which often get on the air purely by accident. The fierce competition creates a pressure-cooker environment where anything can happen . . .
• NBC’s fall from grace—Once the undisputed king of prime time, NBC plunged from first place to last place in the ratings in the course of a single season. What will be the price of that collapse—and who will pay it?
• CBS’s slow and steady race to the top—Unlike NBC, CBS, under the leadership of CEO, Leslie Moonves, engineered one of the most spectacular turnarounds in television history. But in this ruthless world, you’re only as good as last week’s ratings . . . .
• ABC’s surprising resurrection—Lost and Desperate Housewives—have brought ABC the kind of success it could only dream of in the past. So why don’t the executives responsible for those hits work there any more?
• The end of the news as we know it—In a stunningly short period of time, all three of the major network news anchors—DanRather, Tom Brokaw, and Peter Jennings—signed off, leaving executives scrambling for a way to keep network news relevant in an era of 24/7 information.
• Crazy Like Fox—They’re outrageous, unconventional, and occasionally off-putting, but more and more people are watching Fox shows. Most of all they keep watching American Idol. How did Simon Cowell snooker himself into a huge payday? Stay tuned . . .
In Desperate Networks Bill Carter digs deep inside the industry, delivering utterly irresistible “dish” that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s the perfect book to read when there’s nothing on TV.
Editorials
Boston Globe
Bill Carter’s book goes behind the scenes to spin a tale of ambition and intrigue worthy of, if not Shakespeare, then at least the mighty Carson-Art Players at their ditsy, Elizabethan best.Entertainment Weekly
Bill Carter draws a script from the turbulent world of late-night talk shows as theatrical and cautionary as any prime-time melodrama . . . [He] unearths juicy nuggets, each related with the sure, suspense evoking hand of a thriller novelist . . . . ‘A.’Los Angeles Times
In his fascinating new book, Carter spins a tale of passion, ambition, in-fighting, and runaway ego worthy of Shakespeare.New York magazine
Page after remarkably well-reported page of why Johnny retired, how Leno ended up with the job, and who shafted Dave. If you crave this sort of inside-the-halls-of-media-power story, Carter gives you every last detail.New York Times
The quest to take Johnny’s place is chronicled in fascinating depth and detail by Bill Carter . . . . His story is both authoritative and definitive a vivid, behind-the-scenes, blow-by-blow account.New York Times Book Review
Bill Carter has written a detailed and remarkably gripping account . . . unfailingly balanced, thoroughly researched, filled with scoops and fresh insight. It takes us deep into the bizarre high-stakes world of broadcasting . . . . A powerful story, and ultimately a sad one, filled with casualties as well as winners.Philadelphia Inquirer
Carter’s book is a definitive account of how Leno won the battle for Tonight, then lost the ratings war after Letterman moved to CBS . . . . Anyone who wants to know how the TV industry works at its highest level will find a wealth of information.Publishers Weekly
Are you the sole Survivor of a bunch of Desperate Housewives who got Lost on their way to becoming an Apprentice to the latest American Idol? Many recent hit network television shows have come to fruition under the most unlikely of happenstances, and Carter explains how some of America's favorite shows evolved from idea to pilot after struggling with numerous pitfalls and false starts. Carter also explores how the four networks have risen and fallen in popularity because of those hit shows. Olsher reads with a very conversational manner and handles the material with ease. He brings characters to life with expression and tone that clarifies each speaker's intent. While Olsher shines, the abridgement dulls this audiobook's content. The text often jumps from one direction to another without strong transitions. At times, unnecessary anecdotes are included at the expense of better details surrounding Carter's premise. While the abridgement confuses through its lack of continuity, listeners will enjoy learning a great deal about their favorite shows. Simultaneous release with the Doubleday hardcover. (Reviews, Mar. 27). (June) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Library Journal
New York Times reporter Carter (The Late Shift: Letterman, Leno and the Network Battle for the Night) here details, sometimes excruciatingly, network television's machinations to trump competitors in the all-important ratings game. Readers follow the 2004-05 season and how programs including Lost (ABC), American Idol (Fox), and CSI (CBS) actually made it through the grueling and labyrinthine process to get on the air. Many will be surprised to learn that Desperate Housewives did not get the green light immediately at ABC. Another shining moment in television history that the book covers is CBS producer Mary Mapes's failure to vet properly the documents supporting the 60 Minutes segment on George W. Bush's National Guard service. As a result, she lost her job and caused two other people to lose theirs while hastening Dan Rather's retirement. This is a real-world view of a cutthroat industry, complete with spotlights on high-powered network executives like Les Moonves of CBS and Jeff Zucker of NBC. Readers may need a scorecard to keep track of potential new scripts, their creators, and the myriad executives assigned to herd them through the process. Recommended for public and academic libraries. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/05.]-Regina M. Beard, Kansas State Libs., Manhattan Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Book Details
Published
May 2, 2006
Publisher
Doubleday Books
Pages
384
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780385514408