Former TV Executive Fred Silverman Reminisces About Industry's Golden Days - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 04-10-2009, 03:09 PM

Link

When 70-year-old Fred Silverman, producer of television hits ranging from "All in the Family" to "Three's Company" to "Cheers," was asked if he would consider running a network again, he didn't miss a beat.

"No," he said. "I'm too old and too wise."

Silverman was the focus of Wednesday's symposium, "From Test Patterns to Pixels: Envisioning the Future of Television," held in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. The daylong event included panels and speakers from the television field, many of whom, including Silverman, are Newhouse alumni.

The audience for the conversation between Silverman and "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Kroft filled the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium. Their conversation began as a discussion about the different aspects of Silverman's career.

"Are you proudest of your success in the numbers business, because you were able to take these networks to No. 1?" Kroft asked. "Or more proud of the programs and the legacy you have left behind?"

Silverman didn't need to stop and think before answering.

"I'm more proud of the programs. No matter what it is, 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' or 'Roots,' the thing that is gratifying is that they are on DVDs and they are still available," Silverman said. "There are scores of people looking at them at this moment, some for the first time. This is something I never expected. In commercial television, being successful means reaching a large audience and being number one."

Their conversation progressed to a look at current network television, primarily at CBS, ABC and NBC - all of which he worked for, in that order. Kroft asked Silverman what obstacles network television faces today and about a recent lack of breakaway hits.

"The broadcasting networks are struggling just to stay alive, not just from cable but from the Internet," Silverman said. "Everything they do is quite deliberate, and they have to be very conscious."

Silverman said that today's networks can't take the same risks now, because too much money is at stake. In the 1980s, owners controlled networks, often personalizing content and management. But today, large conglomerates run the networks. Silverman said that change poses a problem.

"There are now more three camera shows shot in front of a large audience," Silverman said. "That has become the law of the land, which is ridiculous. On drama, broadcast is playing it safe. How many 'CSI's' can you put on? It's the same plots recycled, with slightly different formats."

Silverman said networks are investing a lot of money in shows but picking the wrong ones.

"No one wants to take chances. If you want to go for a hit, you need to take a chance."

Silverman went on to discuss the lack of hour-long comedy shows, including NBC's new program called "The Jay Leno Show," which will air in the fall. He said the show opens the door for broadcast success because it will be low budget, directly related to the times and run every weeknight.

Before the event, students and faculty were encouraged to ask Silverman questions online. One student asked what Silverman would be doing if he were about to graduate college right now.

"I would look towards the Internet," Silverman said. "It has nothing but growth ahead of it. The networks need to regain their equilibrium. On the Internet there are unlimited options. It's a young person's medium now, and it will continue to be."

Following Kroft's interview, a panel of multimedia communications experts, Silverman included, took the stage to discuss the future of television. The first question posed to the panel was how advertising will work with devices such as TiVo that can skip over commercials once a show is recorded.

"There are different ways to do commercials now," said Walter Sabo, chief executive officer of Sabo Media. Sabo said "Dawson's Creek" is a prime example.

"There wasn't one second that wasn't paid for before it went on the air. The clothes they wore to the computers they used," Sabo said.

Silverman also announced he will be teaching Newhouse students this fall in Los Angeles. He said it was good to be back at Syracuse and offered some advice for students.

"In my career, I've learned the ability to identity programs that people would enjoy viewing, from experience, from what I learned here at the university," Silverman said. "You want to put shows on that you feel proud of, or at the least, you're not ashamed of."

Mr. Television · 04-10-2009, 05:15 PM

It's too bad their aren't any people like him in the TV industry anymore.

janet42 · 04-10-2009, 05:54 PM

Yeah I agree. The shows today aren't as good as they used to be.

70s show watcher · 04-10-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

It's too bad their aren't any people like him in the TV industry anymore.

thats for sure the man is a genius when it comes to running networks and picking stars shoot even his failures were interesting

Mr. Television · 04-10-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70s show watcher

thats for sure the man is a genius when it comes to running networks and picking stars shoot even his failures were interesting

Yea he turned around 2 networks and even when he was at NBC, his flops were better than most of NBC's shows today.

comedyfreak · 04-11-2009, 12:44 AM

He needs to be teaching Colleges courses on how to produce a good show, these know it alls today don't know what they're doing.

megamanj2004 · 04-11-2009, 12:01 PM

Maybe Ben Silverman (no relation to Fred) and Jeff Zucker should take some lessons from Freddie, b/c they've been at NBC longer than ol' Freddie and not only have they been stinkin' up NBC worse than how Freddie did but their failures make Fred's failures look like smashh-it classics in comparison.

TVFactFan · 04-11-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

He will be... starting next fall with the new SU (Syracuse University) in LA program. I was at the symposium on Tuesday and had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Silverman along with Marcy Carsey and Steve Kroft. Fred Silverman is my new hero. The man is an undeniable genius.

..long time no post, but i was wondering what everyone here had to say about this.

Hey barwars long time no post-lol How you been?

comedyfreak · 04-17-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barwars

He will be... starting next fall with the new SU (Syracuse University) in LA program. I was at the symposium on Tuesday and had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Silverman along with Marcy Carsey and Steve Kroft. Fred Silverman is my new hero. The man is an undeniable genius.

..long time no post, but i was wondering what everyone here had to say about this.

Good to hear and hopefully sitcoms will get better, welcome back!

04-10-2009, 03:09 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,438	Former TV Executive Fred Silverman Reminisces About Industry's Golden Days Link When 70-year-old Fred Silverman, producer of television hits ranging from "All in the Family" to "Three's Company" to "Cheers," was asked if he would consider running a network again, he didn't miss a beat. "No," he said. "I'm too old and too wise." Silverman was the focus of Wednesday's symposium, "From Test Patterns to Pixels: Envisioning the Future of Television," held in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. The daylong event included panels and speakers from the television field, many of whom, including Silverman, are Newhouse alumni. The audience for the conversation between Silverman and "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Kroft filled the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium. Their conversation began as a discussion about the different aspects of Silverman's career. "Are you proudest of your success in the numbers business, because you were able to take these networks to No. 1?" Kroft asked. "Or more proud of the programs and the legacy you have left behind?" Silverman didn't need to stop and think before answering. "I'm more proud of the programs. No matter what it is, 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show,' or 'Roots,' the thing that is gratifying is that they are on DVDs and they are still available," Silverman said. "There are scores of people looking at them at this moment, some for the first time. This is something I never expected. In commercial television, being successful means reaching a large audience and being number one." Their conversation progressed to a look at current network television, primarily at CBS, ABC and NBC - all of which he worked for, in that order. Kroft asked Silverman what obstacles network television faces today and about a recent lack of breakaway hits. "The broadcasting networks are struggling just to stay alive, not just from cable but from the Internet," Silverman said. "Everything they do is quite deliberate, and they have to be very conscious." Silverman said that today's networks can't take the same risks now, because too much money is at stake. In the 1980s, owners controlled networks, often personalizing content and management. But today, large conglomerates run the networks. Silverman said that change poses a problem. "There are now more three camera shows shot in front of a large audience," Silverman said. "That has become the law of the land, which is ridiculous. On drama, broadcast is playing it safe. How many 'CSI's' can you put on? It's the same plots recycled, with slightly different formats." Silverman said networks are investing a lot of money in shows but picking the wrong ones. "No one wants to take chances. If you want to go for a hit, you need to take a chance." Silverman went on to discuss the lack of hour-long comedy shows, including NBC's new program called "The Jay Leno Show," which will air in the fall. He said the show opens the door for broadcast success because it will be low budget, directly related to the times and run every weeknight. Before the event, students and faculty were encouraged to ask Silverman questions online. One student asked what Silverman would be doing if he were about to graduate college right now. "I would look towards the Internet," Silverman said. "It has nothing but growth ahead of it. The networks need to regain their equilibrium. On the Internet there are unlimited options. It's a young person's medium now, and it will continue to be." Following Kroft's interview, a panel of multimedia communications experts, Silverman included, took the stage to discuss the future of television. The first question posed to the panel was how advertising will work with devices such as TiVo that can skip over commercials once a show is recorded. "There are different ways to do commercials now," said Walter Sabo, chief executive officer of Sabo Media. Sabo said "Dawson's Creek" is a prime example. "There wasn't one second that wasn't paid for before it went on the air. The clothes they wore to the computers they used," Sabo said. Silverman also announced he will be teaching Newhouse students this fall in Los Angeles. He said it was good to be back at Syracuse and offered some advice for students. "In my career, I've learned the ability to identity programs that people would enjoy viewing, from experience, from what I learned here at the university," Silverman said. "You want to put shows on that you feel proud of, or at the least, you're not ashamed of."
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

04-10-2009, 05:15 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	It's too bad their aren't any people like him in the TV industry anymore.
	__________________ Sonny

04-11-2009, 12:44 AM	#6
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	He needs to be teaching Colleges courses on how to produce a good show, these know it alls today don't know what they're doing.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

04-11-2009, 12:01 PM	#7
megamanj2004 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2004 Posts: 2,361	Maybe Ben Silverman (no relation to Fred) and Jeff Zucker should take some lessons from Freddie, b/c they've been at NBC longer than ol' Freddie and not only have they been stinkin' up NBC worse than how Freddie did but their failures make Fred's failures look like smashh-it classics in comparison.
	__________________ 10 AND A HALF YEARS GOING STRONG!!!

04-10-2009, 05:54 PM	#3
janet42 Three's Company Fan! Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,757	Yeah I agree. The shows today aren't as good as they used to be.