"Richard, Niceta, you have met. This is Paula Wagner, Niceta's wife and the manager of Diane and Tom Cruise..."
Ronald introduced Letterman and the lawyer, who came to his house for dinner, to his agent team. In addition, Ed Bastian from the TV station also participated in their discussion.
Letterman understands that his chances of staying at NBC are slim. Now he just wants to take revenge on them and let them understand who is the host who can bring the most advertising revenue to the network.
Anyway, Ovitz's style of play is the same. Letterman prefers to sign with Niceta and Richard's team who respect him. Anyway, they are all signed under CAA. Isn't it good to sign someone with a good attitude?
After the introduction, Ronald left the room and went back to amuse his son with Diane. In theory, he should not participate in the discussion between the client and the agent, but with Bastian around, important matters would not
Hide it from him.
"In fact, there is no need to be so pessimistic, Mr. Letterman. Of course we are in a very dangerous situation now, but there is no chance that Jay Leno will leave." Niceta said it when he came up, which surprised David Letterman.
if.
"Really?" Letterman's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Yes, our battle is not over yet..." Paula Wagner was very interested in this client and wanted to sign him. Everyone knows that with such a big-name host, he is very interested in his stars.
Very beneficial.
The trio of managers encouraged Letterman. After all, no one in Jay Leno has ever shouldered a real burden. There is no one like Letterman who has a successful hosting career of about ten years and is a proven person.
The little calculation of NBC executives is that I want both. Anyway, the advertising revenue from Letterman's late night show at 12:30 is not much less than Johnny Carson's.
Although he lost the opportunity, Letterman is not without the ability to fight back. Jay Leno's agent Helen Kushnick is strong in having the courage to expose the matter before NBC makes a decision.
In this way, the majority of viewers know that Jay Leno is a host comparable to Johnny Carson. Once he takes over, the ratings will not drop much in the short term as long as he can inherit Carson's division.
The upper management of NBC has the idea of changing the general, but has not yet made a public announcement. This is a period of chaos. The audience's support for Jay Leno's succession will be a very good card.
Aren't you just afraid that taking over the host will cause a drop in ratings and advertising? Now we have told you that it will be fine. You see, we have spoken out in newspapers and the audience has been very supportive. As for Letterman, continue to host his
Wouldn't it be nice to have a late night show?
As the Chinese proverb goes, cook the raw rice first.
Originally, this advantage should not be given to Jay Leno alone. If Letterman had a qualified team, he could adopt a similar strategy, as long as there is public opinion that the two are competing for a successor position, and
It's not that Jay Leno is better than Carson, then the audience's feedback will definitely be divided into two groups, and Letterman can have a fight.
"What should we do?" Letterman and the lawyer nodded repeatedly. This statement opened his eyes. This boy from the south always thought that as long as he did a good job, his boss would give him a suitable position.
Who knew people from big cities had so many tricks up their sleeves?
"Now we are indeed at a disadvantage and public opinion has been formed. If we fight back in the newspaper, it will be difficult for two people to compete. So we need to be more ruthless and escalate this public opinion war!"
"Very good, when will we sign the agency contract?" After hearing the strategy, Letterman admired Niceta's wisdom. He did not force himself to do things by signing contracts with various terms like Ovitz did.
Tell yourself some key points first. This attitude makes him feel that this is a reliable agent.
"CAA has regulations. You cannot have your contract exclusively by yourself. A heavyweight like you must have a highest-level partner involved. This is CAA's regulations, so..."
"No, I trust you because you are Ronald's agent, but I don't trust Ovitz. If you insist that I sign a contract with him, I will not agree. I'm sorry..." Letterman said to
I was humiliated by Ovitz and was very dissatisfied, even more so than NBC.
"Well, if you insist on such a statement, we can think of an alternative. We at CAA also have a founder and veteran who holds shares in the company, that is Ron Meyer... We can make an appointment to go to CAA and
Meet him first, and if you feel good about him, we'll let him share your agency contract."
"Okay, I'm very satisfied with this arrangement." David Letterman and the lawyer looked at each other without any objection.
"Now it's my turn. Although Niceta and Richard have a plan, but again, we have to prepare a retreat..." Ed Bastian, a local small TV station in New York and the Daily News newspaper
As the president of the organization, he naturally came over to give Letterman a plan for his retreat if his plan to seize power failed.
"This matter needs to be done step by step. Before you find the key people of each TV network, you must create a sign that you are leaving, so that they will consider taking the risk of NBC filing for illegal contact during the contract period to come to you.
Let’s talk about the conditions first…”
"How many TV stations do you think will want me? After all, all the talk shows that competed with Johnny Carson for the 11:30 slot have failed..." This is where David Letterman got angry. NBC thought it was watching
At the critical moment, Letterman has nowhere to go anyway. Instead of hosting a failed TV show on another network, he might as well stay on the late night show at 12:30.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "David, Ronald told me that you are a great host. To be honest, I think you are more than great, maybe a little bit more powerful.
"Ed Bastian looked at Letterman's face and continued to say...
"It wasn't the half-past eleven that made Johnny Carson, but Johnny Carson that made half-past eleven...Before him, the Late Show was one of the lowest-rated programs on television...
The same goes for you, it’s not NBC’s schedule that makes you, it’s you that makes NBC’s schedule...
I can guarantee you that no TV network will let you go. You have ten years of successful experience and an annual advertising revenue of 55 million, which is all brought by your audience, and
It’s not NBC’s 12:30 slot…”
David Letterman was very happy when he said this, especially since the other person was a TV station operator. To be able to say such true words is really hard to believe...
"Don't worry, I'm very familiar with CBS President Howard Stringer and ABC President Robert Iger. As for Fox, Ronald will help us. He has a very good relationship with the Australian tycoon Rupert
, you can make a call..."
The two major wireless television networks, as well as the newly formed Fox television network, are the most suitable candidates for David Letterman. After all, his ability is mainly reflected in driving advertising revenue, not cable television like CNN.
Ability to add new subscribers.
…
Letterman and Bastian also discussed some arrangements, when Ronald walked in.
"Have you finished talking? I will introduce you to a new friend. This is my barrister in charge of Hollywood affairs, Mickey Kent..."
Ronald introduced the belated lawyer Kent to Letterman and his personal lawyer. Mickey Kent was specialized in fighting such celebrity lawsuits. Whether Letterman wanted to regain the position of Johnny Carson's successor or
If things don't work out, if you want to terminate the slave contract, you will need the help of a well-known lawyer.
Anyway, his personal lawyer was not doing well this time, so it was logical to introduce a new professional lawyer to him.
After talking about contract disputes and solutions between various stars and studios (similar to the situation between Letterman and NBC), Letterman became more confident. He understood that he was also a star and did not take advantage of it.
It is a complete waste to use your own fans to fight for benefits...
"Ronald, thank you. I just realized today who my real friend is..." David Letterman talked for three times in a row, each of which was satisfactory. Now he is full of fighting spirit and decided not to succeed.
We also have to do a show so that Jay Leno can't have an easy time.
"Don't say these things, I'm just unhappy that NBC is treating you like an honest person like this..." Ronald patted Letterman on the arm, "Besides, in theory, I just introduced some professionals to my friends, and I am very familiar with these people."
You don’t understand at all, it’s you who found the most professional person to help you…”
…
The discussion was finalized, and on the morning of the next working day, David Letterman and lawyer Jack Bloom once again came to the lobby of CAA's pentagonal Feng Shui building.
This time, Niceta, Richard, and Paula Wagner were waiting downstairs in advance, and everyone got on the elevator until they reached the highest floor.
"Good morning..." Ovitz had already heard from his secretary about Letterman's visit again. He planned to let go of his last offense lightly. After all, signing the contract first was the most important thing.
"Morning, Michael..." Letterman just nodded lightly, walked past Ovitz, who was about to shake hands, and walked straight to equity partner Ron Meyer on the other side.
"On behalf of CAA, I welcome you..." Meyer was still wearing an Ivy-style suit, white fluffy socks, brown boat shoes, a Los Angeles-style floral shirt and a light-colored jacket, and He Yong wore a dark suit,
Ovitz's dark tie provided a stark contrast.
Ron Meyer's outstretched hand was held by Letterman. The two exchanged pleasantries, and then walked into his office. Meyer asked them to sit down. The furniture and furnishings here were not the Nordic design like Ovitz's.
It is made by the designer's famous brand, but the ordinary American leather style.
This made Letterman, who was also wearing a one-word suit, feel very comfortable.
Meyer closed the door at the end. The last image was of Ovitz's expressionless face, squashed in the crack of the door.
"Huh, I'm also one of the five founders..." Meyer turned back to Letterman and got straight to the point:
"David, I'm glad that you are willing to choose CAA as your agent. We are different from other agency companies. A star will have several agents to help. I will be responsible for some high-level contacts, and Nicita will help you.
Find the stars you want to be on the show and Richard will be your main agent..."
Letterman successfully signed a CAA contract, and according to the agreed upon method, he was ready to publicly fight back against Jay Leno.
Under the guidance of Ron Meyer, Johnny Carson, who was also dissatisfied with Jay Leno's offensive remarks, temporarily changed the guests on the show that night. He invited a special guest to come to Tonight
The scene of the show.
"David, we have known each other for a long time..."
The guest is none other than David Letterman. The Tonight Show is known as the gossip center of the American people. Since the hottest thing now is that Johnny Carson is facing retirement and successor issues, then Johnny Carson is also obliged to
Carson discussed this issue on his Tonight Show.
"Yeah, it's been twenty years, right?"
"I still remember the first time you appeared on my show, and the first joke you wrote for me..."
The two chatted about past events, and Johnny Carson suddenly asked, "Although this may be unpleasant, I still have to ask you, how do you feel now?"
"Hey man, I'm telling you. I've never felt like this...like...boom!"
David Letterman suddenly punched the palm of his other hand and made a loud noise in his mouth.
"Hahaha..." This heavy blow shocked Johnny Carson. However, he immediately covered it up with an embarrassed smile because of his experience, and then the two of them talked about some jokes. Johnny Carson picked another
The conversation started, "How unhappy are you?"
"Ah..." Of course the audience knew what he was talking about, and they expressed their desire to see a good show.
David Letterman was so angry that he stood up from his chair, expressing an angry look, "Let me give you some hosting advice, Johnny. If you continue to ask questions like this, you will no longer have a job."
.”
"Hahaha……"
"There are rumors now that you are going to fire NBC and go to other TV stations?" Johnny Carson asked an important question after everyone stopped laughing.
"I'm not a person who likes to stand in line..." David Letterman laughed and cursed, but he was extremely serious when he said this.
…
"Bob, you don't think you can let David work at NBC after you hired Jay Leno to take over the Tonight Show, do you?" Immediately, Ron Meyer called NBC's powerful financial director Bob Wright.
, this is the first step in Letterman's counterattack, to let NBC know his true attitude.
"We at NBC have a contract with him..."
"I understand, but let's put aside the contract first and talk about people. After watching today's show, do you still think David Letterman is a person who can swallow his anger for eighteen months and then renew his hosting contract with you?
"
"Well, that's a problem..." said Bob Wright.
Niceta raised her fist happily in the office, and they passed the information on. The replacement host of the Tonight Show has not yet been decided, and Jay Leno has not yet secured it. And if David Letterman fails, he will definitely
Won't stay at NBC...
"We are pleased to inform you that David Letterman is now our exclusive agent."
By the next day, more than 500 agents at CAA received a memorandum jointly sent by Ron Meyer, Rick Niceta, and Richard Levitt.
"Dxmn it!" The CAA employee who was most upset was Ovitz's apprentice Jay Moloney. He looked at the name of Richard Levitt in the memo and realized that he had robbed him of the opportunity and almost left.
The intern who got out of CAA has now become the manager of the second host in the United States.
"These are all clients of CAA..." Ovitz's face showed no emotion or anger. He put the memo into a basket of archives and thought to himself, "Maybe I haven't swung a stick in many years and Meyer forgot.