Posted on 05/03/2002 7:48:14 PM PDT by Pokey78
Bill Clinton is not heading for a job as host of a daily syndicated talk show for NBC-TV, but he is eventually likely to seek a part-time position in television or radio, people familiar with his thinking said yesterday.
Mr. Clinton met on Wednesday in Los Angeles with two top NBC executives at the offices of his longtime friend Harry Thomason, a television producer. Reports in the following days, starting in The Los Angeles Times, centered on the idea that the former president might be interested in a deal for a weekday talk show to be broadcast on local stations.
One senior executive called the session on Wednesday "a courtesy meeting" and emphasized that "no show is going to come out of it."
Still, a person close to Mr. Clinton said he believed that the former president was quite likely to jump into some media work at some point, although no decision had been made. It is unlikely to be a talk show or anything on a regular basis that might interfere with Mr. Clinton's other plans, which include extensive international travel, giving speeches, backing charitable causes and fund-raising for Democratic candidates.
Nor will Mr. Clinton make any decision on a media deal soon, one adviser said. When Mr. Clinton does decide, the most plausible format would be occasional town meetings on serious political or social issues or another form of specials.
One network executive said his company had preliminary talks last year about a weekly syndicated issue-oriented town-meeting-type program for Mr. Clinton. That executive questioned whether such a show would have commercial appeal and asked, "Who's going to watch a show like that?"
Mr. Clinton has received proposals and overtures from many media organizations, said Robert Barnett, the lawyer who represented the former president in his book deal with Knopf and who also represents him on other employment contracts.
"I have a folder that is several inches thick of wonderful proposals and offers from this country and all over the world," Mr. Barnett said. "At this time, we are not pursuing any of them."
The attention swirling around Mr. Clinton's meeting on Wednesday, which included Andrew Lack, president of NBC, and Jeff Zucker, president of NBC Entertainment, demonstrated how much currency Mr. Clinton's name has in media circles. It generated front-page newspaper articles, coverage on CNN and other all-news channels and the usual Clinton jokes on the late-night talk shows. Several NBC executives also said they had received a flurry of angry e-mail messages from viewers opposed to Mr. Clinton.
People close to Mr. Clinton said the meeting was not much different from many others that he has had with media organizations, including television and radio companies.
Mr. Clinton has seen executives from several networks, and they have floated proposals like taking over existing shows. But there have been no negotiations or serious talks.
"What is true is he is looking for some kind of television gig," said the executive with knowledge of what was discussed on Wednesday. "It just won't be anything that came out of that meeting. Zero came out of it."
His preference is $50 million to do four shows a year. A little clarinet, a few interviews, an all-female orchestra in the background, maybe a few strobe lights . . . . I see it now.
Sorry, Mr Pezzident, we can pay you zero plus a percentage of the advertising revenue, that's the deal, take it or leave it!
Not being in the industry, is there some good reason why NBC deigns not to offer it as part of their standard network fare?
Is there a problem with putting the NBC imprimatur on his proposed show?
FCC problems for putting a perjurer on the air? A lawyer even the USSC doesn't want to see representing people?
SEC problems for failure to protect the interests of shareholders?
Personal liability beyond whatever directors' insurance covers?
Anybody know the percentage of asset value the market gives to GE for NBC?
...CLINTON TV Show =
...Democrats take over the House in 2002 =
...Democrats take over the White House in 2004 =
...Democrats say "Bye-Bye" to America's...
..-War on Terrorism-.. =
...We's all back to being sitting ducks...
...just like we were on the morning of Sept 11th...!!!
NEVER FORGET
This will be the wealthiest rapist in the world.
NBC put out the feelers and didn't like the public response they got.
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