บท 36: Eisner's Rage

"If I understand correctly, he means ABC has rejected this TV series?" Watching Bruce turn and leave until his back disappeared in the doorway, Mr. Brown turned his head and said to Richard, "Is ABC actually thinking like this? Are you all idiots? Can't you see that this is a good TV series?"

If the broadcast of the TV series were unsuccessful, then Richard would say without hesitation that ABC would only produce high-quality products, and the TV series would be rejected. However, now that the TV series is so successful, he doesn't dare to speak big words anymore and can only use ambiguous words to stabilize the advertisers.

"This kind of drama still needs to be discussed? No wonder you can't compete with NBC." Richard's words were immediately interrupted by Brown.

"We want to be more responsible for our customers..."

"If you want to be responsible for your customers, you have to come up with good things first, and then you are qualified to let me be your customer. If you can't come up with good things, what do I need you to be responsible for? Is the right to premiere the TV series still in the hands of ABC?" Brown interrupted Richard without waiting for him to finish speaking. He was not afraid of offending ABC and asked the most critical question. Richard was stunned for a moment. He also found it difficult to accept Brown's straightforward approach.

However, even if he can't accept it, he has to learn to bear it. In front of the producers, ABC is an unparalleled giant that no one dares to offend, but in front of the advertisers, ABC can only please the other party.

Moreover, he also understands what these people think—after all, TV networks take the opportunity to raise prices when they see a good TV series, not once or twice. This is a business, and no one can be kind.

"It should still be in your hands as you are willing to broadcast it. It is good to watch TV drama. I want to find someone to take over. You are not going to broadcast it and are willing to lose big bucks, but you at least be willing to sell it for petty profits. Tell me about the production company. For such a TV series, I can help find a buyer for ABC." Mr. Brown muttered to himself and opened his mouth again.

"No need, no need!" Richard was also anxious when he heard this. He did not, for sure, want to give the money to others, "ABC is the owner of the premiere rights."

"Who is denying it? David? He is not a fool; how could he make such a mistake?" Mr. Brown continued to ask.

"It's Mr. Eisner."

"Eisner..." Mr. Brown laughed, "That's not surprising, but there is nothing to say. If he denies it, then he will definitely not allow the TV series to be released again. That's it. Tell me the contact information of the production company, and stop talking nonsense."

"Mr. Brown, the producer of this TV series, Enigma Company, is a friend of the company's senior management." Richard knows that if he does not handle this matter well, he will have trouble with the company's money, and if the company has no money, then he will be in trouble himself. "ABC Company is a big company, and we have a lot of great producers that we're close to, and their work, just like this show, if we want to get premiere rights, we can get it at any time. You don't have to worry about anything at all. And this is not our best series; we have many other programs you can browse and watch; maybe you can see TV programs that are more suitable for your company to invest in to ensure your company's advertising costs will not be wasted. No matter who owns the premiere rights, ABC Company is the first choice when this TV series is broadcast."

"Other ABC TV programs, it doesn't make much sense whether you watch them or not. Your TV programs are too bland. Those TV shows are for children. Men don't watch those kinds of TV shows. - Is your boss sick? Why do you have to make everything for young people? Doesn't he know who has the purchasing power?" Brown shook his head, rejecting his statement. For the all-age model, the consideration must be to sell to all age groups. However, works that are suitable for all age groups, in a sense, consider the lower limit, the bottom line that children and housewives can accept. Housewives and children, their tastes are far from those of men in their 40s, and there is too much gap.

"I'm still interested in this one. Tell your bosses they have to find a solution quickly. I don't have the habit of waiting for others, especially when I'm going to spend money."

Richard nodded submissively; he had no resistance to coercion and temptation. If he says a word wrong here, he will lose his job.

Maybe he could suggest that the company think again and keep this TV series. It is said that in the earliest days of this TV series, the manuscript was obtained through the relationship of the company's senior management. Is it possible to keep it?

After hearing that the TV series was rejected internally, while Brown is just talking to Richard, other people have already made some calls. Richard doesn't think they called their wife at home and told her they saw a good TV show. He is afraid everyone from NBC, CBS, and FOX will know ABC's rejection of a high-quality TV series in less than an hour. To save some advertising fees for themselves and introduce good TV series to TV stations, it is not impossible for these advertisers to do so.

Allowing such a TV series to slip away would be a significant loss for the company. He must do his best to let the TV series stay on ABC and contribute to the company.

"This TV series and two other episodes are also in our hands. If you are interested, how about we continue to watch?" Temporarily dissuading the audience from leaving the hall, Richard made a call to the management.

***

"Mr. Eisner, have you got the news from the screening?" Right at the screening, when Richard stabilized everyone inside ABC, David Westin, the president of ABC, was also in front of Eisner, making a final effort.

Immediately after receiving word of the screening from Richard, he asked to see Eisner. Although he was the president of ABC, as a subordinate of Disney, he didn't dare to go against Eisner's resolution and directly make a decision. He still had to ask Eisner about this question. He knows that Michael Eisner has always been called the tyrant of Disney, and he doesn't like his subordinates to be high-handed. "Among all the new dramas we produced this year, the TV series CSI has the best response. Other TV series aren't qualified to challenge NBC; only this one is possible..."

"I remember that I have already rejected this TV series, don't talk about it anymore." Eisner raised his head slightly and only scanned the report. After one glance, he took his gaze back again.

"But its response is outstanding, better than other TV series."

"That's because the other TV series you produced are not good, not that this one is good," Eisner said without raising his head.

"No, this TV series has already been produced, and the response is excellent."

"I've seen many times when the predictions are wrong." Eisner raised his head, his tone a little harsh.

"But advertisers are willing to pay, and it doesn't matter if the prediction is wrong. The most important thing is to make money. This is a TV series that can make a lot of money." David Westin suspected Eisner might not be very clear, "We don't need to have trouble with money."

"Rejecting this TV series is to have trouble with money...you are right." Eisner nodded, but immediately, his tone became much harsher, "But are you using this TV series against me?"

Westing suddenly understood Eisner himself denied this TV series, and he said the show was excellent repeatedly, essentially saying that Eisner's philosophy was wrong. Eisner emphasized Disney's philosophy and said that TV dramas' ratings do not follow this. Better yet, this is undoubtedly slapping Eisner in the face.

"Sir, I didn't mean to disrespect you..."

"To question my decision is to disrespect me! You bring the things I deny in front of me and repeatedly say it's good. Do you respect me?" Eisner's voice became high-pitched, "The things I deny; why take it out again? I said no, do you need to think again? Just for money? How much money can a TV series make? One hundred million? Two hundred million? Such a small amount of money can make you disregard my promise. Do you have any idea?"

'Money, money, money, do these guys only recognize such a small amount of money? For this little money, can you come and confront me? What is money? Disney has plenty of money! Is it necessary for me to go against my philosophy and slap myself for some money?'

"I merely think that no matter what order, it should be linked to making money. What we need is the concept of making money. What's the use of not making money?" Westin retorted dissatisfiedly: he is the president of ABC; it is impossible for him not to consider the interests of ABC.

"You don't have to care about whether it is useful; just remember that this is my philosophy. Remember, this is Michael Eisner's philosophy, your boss's philosophy and that's enough! Michael Eisner's philosophy, no one is allowed to question it!" Eisner yelled back at him again, "Why didn't that receptionist named Richard directly tell the advertisers our attitude? Such a non-self-assertive employee can be fired directly. Remember, I'm Michael Eisner. Not just anyone can defy me. A TV show can make you guys defy me like this? Want to be like Pixar against me?"

Eisner's face was flushing with extreme excitement. Westin suddenly understood something: Pixar's 3D animation production was undoubtedly a heavy slap in the face of Eisner, who insisted on 2D and classics. They had destroyed Eisner's self-confidence; Eisner's face was already swollen; he couldn't stand another slap.

The success of CSI, hitting him in the face again after Pixar, made him anxious.

Is it because of failure that he becomes self-willed, or is it because of self-will that this person will fail? At this moment, Westing was a little unclear.

"There is no need to fire Richard; he is also looking out for the company's good."

"He's questioning my employees and me. Is it necessary for him to stay?"

'That's because your actions are questionable,' Westin was speechless: he faintly felt that maybe, this was another the staging of another Disney and Pixar story.

Drive away the Enigma company, and ABC will regret it one day.

*****

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