Author: LB

A legendary figure in the television writing and production world with a career going back to the late ’60s, Larry Brody has written and produced hundreds of hours of American and worldwide television and is a consultant to production companies and networks in the U.S. and abroad . Shows written or produced by Brody have won several awards including - yes, it's true - Emmys, Writers Guild Awards, and the Humanitas Award.

Hey, It’s the Doctor Who Puppet

…What else can we say?

I’m back! I had a busy week of traveling around New York, including a visit to the Eastern tip of Long Island. I explored the beach and met some of the local wildlife. Crabs are lovely creatures, though they do get cross when you pick them up. I may have been pinched a few times.

This is the Way TV Ends. Not with a Bang but a…

TV networks try to connect with young, tech-savvy multitaskers

With kids watching less live TV, networks are coming up with new ways to reach young viewers on their smartphones, laptops and tablets

By Dawn C. Chmielewski and Meg James, Los Angeles Times
Hollywood has a problem. He’s Cole Chanin-Hassman, and he’s 10.

Like many other kids his age, the Los Angeles fourth-grader counts among his entertainment tools his Xbox 360 game console, his Android phone and his computer.The television is almost an afterthought. When Cole comes home from school, he turns on Cartoon Network‘s “Regular Show,” but the characters on the TV screen compete for his attention with the world-building game “Minecraft” and a parade of YouTube videos on his computer.”Sometimes, I’ll kind of lift my head up a little bit and watch,” Cole said. “But usually I’m just kind of listening to [the TV] and playing on my computer.”Cole’s habits illustrate the enormous challenges that confronttelevision networks fighting to remain viable and profitable in the digital age. They’re losing viewers, and they know it.

But here’s the thing: This only matters to TV executives. How we get our entertainment isn’t the big consumer concern – as long as we get the most entertainment the easiest way. Video doesn’t kill the TV star. It just co-opts him or her…and takes the money too.

Whew.

More Showbiz Peeps Whose Families are Proud

Founding Fox 21 executive Jane Francis has signed a new deal with 20th Century Fox Television’s cable production company. As part of the multiyear pact, she has been promoted to EVP. Francis will continue to work under Fox 21 president Bert Salke, overseeing comedy, drama and animation development for the division whose focus is on scripted series for cable and unscripted programming for all networks. “Jane is an incredibly talented executive and someone I rely on greatly as we look to continue to grow Fox 21,” Salke said. “Writers absolutely adore her, and so do I.”

Read all about Jane read article

When Universal’s Ron Meyer Speaks, We Listen

We really enjoyed this article on a speech by one of showbiz’s truly good guys.

No, no, not ironic. Seriously.

Ron Meyer To UCLA Showbiz Grads: “You Don’t Have To Be An Asshole To Succeed”

 Universal President and COO Ron Meyer this afternoon made an expletive-laced commencement speech to the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Class of 2012. He told the graduating students that the best way to get ahead in showbiz is to ask questions. “Assumption is the mother of all fuck-ups,” he told the audience. Twice. The longtime studio head also pointed out that despite the cliches “You don’t have to be an asshole to succeed.” He also stressed that finding an agent is the single most important thing a new graduate can do. Ask everyone you meet. “Just don’t ask me,” he warned. The ceremony was dedicated to the school’s founding dean and Oscar ceremony producer Gil Cates. The commencement also honored directors Penelope Spheeris and Shirley Jo Finney with distinguished alumni awards.