Jeff Zucker's NBC Replacement: Steve Burke - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 09-24-2010, 01:19 PM

Jeff Zucker Leaves NBC Universal
by Jean Bentley
posted Sept 24th 2010

NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker announced this morning in an email to employees that he is stepping down once the Comcast takeover of NBC is complete, The New York Times reports.

Zucker said in an interview with the Times that he realized, through the course of the Comcast acquisition, that his departure would be inevitable. After a meeting with Comcast COO Steve Burke, Zucker knew that there would not be a place for him at the company anymore.

"We had both gotten to the same place," Zucker said. "He made it clear that they wanted to move on at the close of the deal and I was completely comfortable with that."

Though Zucker signed a new three-year contract before the merger took place, he knew leaving the company could be necessary.

"In the last nine months it became increasingly clear that they did want to put their own team in place - and I didn't want to end up being a guest in my own house."

Widely criticized in recent years for his mishandling of the Conan O'Brien/Jay Leno situation and bringing NBC from the number one-rated broadcast network to number four, it was speculated earlier this year that Zucker would be pushed out at the completion of the merger.

http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/09/24/je...nbc-universal/

Zoneboy · 09-24-2010, 02:26 PM

Yay

Marvo301 · 09-24-2010, 02:38 PM

Zucker's departure from NBC is way overdue! But hey better late than never!!

70s show watcher · 09-24-2010, 04:13 PM

HOORRRRY

catlover79 · 09-24-2010, 06:34 PM

Why hasn't anyone kicked him out, like, WAY before now?? Anyone else who does that badly at their job gets fired - why not him???

Will and Grace Fanatic · 09-24-2010, 10:27 PM

finally, nbc went from 1st place to 4th place because of him. Now maybe they can get some good shows on the air and go back to 1st place.

Will and Grace Fanatic · 09-24-2010, 10:29 PM

finally, nbc went from 1st place to 4th place because of him. Now maybe they can get some good shows on the air and go back to 1st place.

TV Knowledge Fan · 09-25-2010, 12:16 AM

....stayed in charge at NBC so long, is because he supposedly made money for the network, no matter how terrible his programming decisions were. For example, it was his idea to add "POKER AFTER DARK" (after "LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY") weeknights at 2:05am(et) to appeal to the audience that likes watching "high stakes poker" matches on TV, so that the "big ticket" advertisers who pitch to that audience reach them, adding revenue to NBC as well.

Of course, when most "scripted" shows on the network didn't work out, Zucker was also responsible for more "reality-based" and game shows within the last five years- if "DEAL OR NO DEAL" was a roaring success, why not "1 VS. 100"? Or "THE SINGING BEE" {it's now featured in a "country version" on CMT} ? "AMNE$IA"? "MY DAD IS BETER THAN YOUR DAD"? "THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE"? "MOST OUTRAGEOUS MOMENTS"? Or what I consider the worst of them (and, unfortunately, the most successful), "THE BIGGEST LOSER"? And there was his dependence on Ben Silverman of "Reveille" (who brought "THE OFFICE" to NBC in a somewhat marginally successful American version, which I suspect has more TV critics in its audience than viewers), who, as an NBC programming executive, operated on the theory that more "imported" series would be cheaper to schedule ["MERLIN", 'THE PHILANTHROPIST", "FEAR ITSELF", et. al.], and that didn't work out in the long run.

I will not be sorry to see Zucker go. He doesn't know how to program a television network, but he successfully maintained the illusion he could....and he made MONEY; that's why he stayed with NBC as long as he did.

catlover79 · 09-25-2010, 01:55 AM

^ Sickening, isn't it? Brandon Tartikoff must be spinning in his grave.

Also, did Warren Littlefield leave on his own or was he fired?

yankeesrj12 · 09-25-2010, 09:58 AM

Now if only Dawn Ostroff would step down, this would be a great year.

catlover79 · 09-25-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yankeesrj12

Now if only Dawn Ostroff would step down, this would be a great year.

James28 · 09-25-2010, 11:55 PM

Jeffrey Zucker is not the type of guy I would want to call a truce with. Someone would have to take their hand... put it in a fist... and plant one punch to his jaw (some of his teeth would be knocked out in the process) for what he did to a once-prosperous television network.

browneyes106 · 09-26-2010, 01:17 AM

NBC's scripted shows arent' bad at all. The one that isn't good at all is SVU. That show has been dragged out too much. Some of NBC shows are critically acclaimed and several actors and actresses on the network were nominated for Emmys, Golden Globes, SAG's and TCA awards. NBC is poorly run and Jeff Zucker has given too much time to crappy reality shows like The Biggest Loser which as been criticized heavily by the medical and fitness fields and stupid game shows like Deal or No Deal, 1 vs. 100 etc.

catlover79 · 09-26-2010, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browneyes106

NBC's scripted shows arent' bad at all. The one that isn't good at all is SVU. That show has been dragged out too much.

Much as it pains me to say it, the entire L&O franchise has burned out. The mother ship has already been cancelled and it's been announced that CI will end after this current season. Maybe it's time to retire SVU as well. But I don't predict a long shelf life for L&O: LA, either. There's already NCIS: LA and about of zillion other crime/forensic shows on the air right now. But then again, only time will tell!!

TVFactFan · 09-26-2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Why hasn't anyone kicked him out, like, WAY before now?? Anyone else who does that badly at their job gets fired - why not him???

probably because over the years NBC has managed tp produce shows like the Office, and The Today Show is still on Top in the morning and the Apprentice.

09-24-2010, 01:19 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,008	Jeff Zucker's NBC Replacement: Steve Burke Jeff Zucker Leaves NBC Universal by Jean Bentley posted Sept 24th 2010 NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker announced this morning in an email to employees that he is stepping down once the Comcast takeover of NBC is complete, The New York Times reports. Zucker said in an interview with the Times that he realized, through the course of the Comcast acquisition, that his departure would be inevitable. After a meeting with Comcast COO Steve Burke, Zucker knew that there would not be a place for him at the company anymore. "We had both gotten to the same place," Zucker said. "He made it clear that they wanted to move on at the close of the deal and I was completely comfortable with that." Though Zucker signed a new three-year contract before the merger took place, he knew leaving the company could be necessary. "In the last nine months it became increasingly clear that they did want to put their own team in place - and I didn't want to end up being a guest in my own house." Widely criticized in recent years for his mishandling of the Conan O'Brien/Jay Leno situation and bringing NBC from the number one-rated broadcast network to number four, it was speculated earlier this year that Zucker would be pushed out at the completion of the merger. http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/09/24/je...nbc-universal/
	Last edited by JamesG; 09-26-2010 at 09:38 PM.

09-24-2010, 02:26 PM	#2
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: 34,343	Yay
	__________________ '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.

09-24-2010, 02:38 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Zucker's departure from NBC is way overdue! But hey better late than never!!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

09-24-2010, 06:34 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Why hasn't anyone kicked him out, like, WAY before now?? Anyone else who does that badly at their job gets fired - why not him???
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-24-2010, 10:27 PM	#6
Will and Grace Fanatic be happy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 15, 2002 Location: seattle, washington Posts: 2,746	finally, nbc went from 1st place to 4th place because of him. Now maybe they can get some good shows on the air and go back to 1st place.
	__________________ love is love

09-24-2010, 04:13 PM	#4
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,548	HOORRRRY

09-24-2010, 10:29 PM	#7
Will and Grace Fanatic be happy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 15, 2002 Location: seattle, washington Posts: 2,746	finally, nbc went from 1st place to 4th place because of him. Now maybe they can get some good shows on the air and go back to 1st place.

09-25-2010, 12:16 AM	#8
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	The reason that Jeff Zucker... ....stayed in charge at NBC so long, is because he supposedly made money for the network, no matter how terrible his programming decisions were. For example, it was his idea to add "POKER AFTER DARK" (after "LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY") weeknights at 2:05am(et) to appeal to the audience that likes watching "high stakes poker" matches on TV, so that the "big ticket" advertisers who pitch to that audience reach them, adding revenue to NBC as well. Of course, when most "scripted" shows on the network didn't work out, Zucker was also responsible for more "reality-based" and game shows within the last five years- if "DEAL OR NO DEAL" was a roaring success, why not "1 VS. 100"? Or "THE SINGING BEE" {it's now featured in a "country version" on CMT} ? "AMNE$IA"? "MY DAD IS BETER THAN YOUR DAD"? "THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE"? "MOST OUTRAGEOUS MOMENTS"? Or what I consider the worst of them (and, unfortunately, the most successful), "THE BIGGEST LOSER"? And there was his dependence on Ben Silverman of "Reveille" (who brought "THE OFFICE" to NBC in a somewhat marginally successful American version, which I suspect has more TV critics in its audience than viewers), who, as an NBC programming executive, operated on the theory that more "imported" series would be cheaper to schedule ["MERLIN", 'THE PHILANTHROPIST", "FEAR ITSELF", et. al.], and that didn't work out in the long run. I will not be sorry to see Zucker go. He doesn't know how to program a television network, but he successfully maintained the illusion he could....and he made MONEY; that's why he stayed with NBC as long as he did.

09-25-2010, 01:55 AM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	^ Sickening, isn't it? Brandon Tartikoff must be spinning in his grave. Also, did Warren Littlefield leave on his own or was he fired?

09-25-2010, 09:58 AM	#10
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	Now if only Dawn Ostroff would step down, this would be a great year.

09-25-2010, 11:55 PM	#12
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,973	Jeffrey Zucker is not the type of guy I would want to call a truce with. Someone would have to take their hand... put it in a fist... and plant one punch to his jaw (some of his teeth would be knocked out in the process) for what he did to a once-prosperous television network.
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

09-26-2010, 01:17 AM	#13
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,097	NBC's scripted shows arent' bad at all. The one that isn't good at all is SVU. That show has been dragged out too much. Some of NBC shows are critically acclaimed and several actors and actresses on the network were nominated for Emmys, Golden Globes, SAG's and TCA awards. NBC is poorly run and Jeff Zucker has given too much time to crappy reality shows like The Biggest Loser which as been criticized heavily by the medical and fitness fields and stupid game shows like Deal or No Deal, 1 vs. 100 etc.