Interview with Ben Silverman - Co-Chairman of NBC Entertainm

[ojitodepajaro]

I just saw the clip on TV where he says his proudest moment is taking 30 Rock and putting it behind The Office ? How about Knightb Rider , Bionic Woman. Las Vegas and LIFE were good shows and this guy with a lisp cancelled that but hey we've got Jay Leno @ 10pm

[sluggo243]

i cant see too good, is that sasha baron cohen?

[Jizzraeli]

gay jew

[fx772k1]

How does Knight Rider fit into his "quality" stance?

[urgay1392]

fuck NBC and Ben Silverman he cancelled LAs Vegas

[Huckit]

ben silverman called bionic woman and cane to be big hits. both have been cancelled within 3episodes.

dumbass

[milkyleah]

What a "coincidence"... 9 out of 10 people posting comments joined within days of each other, and are falling over themselves in praise of Studio 60 (a topic not even addressed in this clip). Gee, I wonder if that's, like, the same person with just 50 handles? No, must be just a supreme alignment of Studio 60 lovers who happened to join the site en masse and find each other on this page!

[ozzielevesque]

I wish NBC would stop trying to find the NEXT BIG THING to get us hooked on. They're just going to cancel it anyway! They cancel all their shows! If a show make 3 seasons it's doing great! stop trying to out-do the other networks and give us back the shows we watch! I just started enjoying "Crossing Jordan" a couple season's back and they are canceling it...oh ya...they cancel EVERTHING!

Oz

[csinut13]

no its not its just doing what all other networks r doing called REALITY SHOWS they are so lame i mean who wants to know if a guy will pick how old his gf will be? I dont care!!! Crossing Jordan was a great show and nbc canceled it. Then there is game shows!! its called a board game get it out and play it!! If they don't bring back crossing jordan im nevr watching nbc again

[1theguy]

My comment is simple. I would like to see Season 2 of Studio 60. Please add it to your fall lineup!!!!

[lilbuzz999]

Bring back Studio 60!

[crossingboston]

The only thing that Ben Silverman is going to ensure is that no one watches NBC. NBC is canceling quality dramas, such as Crossing Jordan, and replacing them with brainless, cheap substitutes.

Wow. Really impressive that he noticed the media out there. Yeah. Everyone over the age of 1 has. NBC is currently in 4th place. Silverman's tricks in the magic bag just might get them to 6th.

[08armydoc]

Studio 60 is the best show on TV. Broadcast TV shows a distinct dumbing-down of the national mind; there is nothing to learn, nothing to make one stretch, nothing to entertain if one has an IQ greater than one's shoe size; all is spoonfed. S60 is emotional, intelligent, entertaining, quick, witty. Please find a way to set for another year.

[dico036]

Please find a way to keep this Studio 60. Its a different type of program then anything else on air. Why does Deal or No Deal have to be on two nights a week? Why can't Studio 60 come back after the football season is over? Why can't new episodes be aired over the summer when everyone is sick of repeats? There is a way to make this work - NBC or another network should try to keep this show available, because it deals with what is on the minds of the public in a truly engaging way.

[babu301]

Studio 60 is the best new show out there. The last 2 episodes were not only funny, but emotional. Anyone who thinks the scene when Danny and Jordan get engaged is not worth keeping is nuts.

[GointoKansasCity]

Last night was the best television we've seen in months. Studio 60 is riveting, topical and fast paced. More television like this might get us more interested in network television. As it is, this is the only show we watch on network television and, if cancelled, we don't care who advertises on NBC or any other network because we are not watching.

[bendingbeauty]

If you wish to continue to provide quality programming to your viewers, you need to keep Studio 60 on your roster. It's the only show I've ever bothered to watch on NBC because it's actually worth my time as it is smart, funny, dramatic all at the same time, with a phenomenal cast. Don't lose this gem.

[kellabel23]

I had turned away from primetime for a while and went the way of the paid cable stations for quality programming until this past season. Studio 60 was one of the best written shows on primetime I had seen in quite some time and it brought me back to primetime TV watching. Not anymore. You had me back when you aired Studio 60 and if the rumors are true that it's being canceled, you've lost me again.

[loserb7]

Bring back Studio 60! I refuse to watch NBC after the last episodes of S60 finish unless Ben Silverman returns Studio 60 to its rightful place on NBC!

[strtfocus]

Hey Ben don't look now but we're coming for ya.....

[tlawwife]

I'm tremendously disappointed that you have decided to cancel a show like Studio 60. It was a show that could show more than one side to a point. I could watch without being angry and loved the dialog. I am saddened, I believe you have made a bad mistake.

[Arigenul]

STUDIO 60 was the best show on tv, until you canceled it! Had more known about the intelligent, witty, well written show (that mirrored the genius of West Wing), you would have sky-high ratings. Those that watched were relieved to find such a great show in the midst of all of the reality crap that is being forcefed to us. Canceling it is a huge mistake; you will lose viewers because of this error in judgement. If i were you, I would BRING BACK STUDIO 60!

[cje32]

Totally agree. This was the best show going, and went on hiatus while other shows came in and failed. Best written show on the air. Horribly handled by NBC by not getting behind this show more. It wasn't marketed well at all. I spread the word to everyone I know, and over half of them hadn't heard of it or seen a preview. Quit dumbing tv down to the lowest common denominator and bring S60 back. Please.

[krayzee222]

Studio 60 is a smart, quick, & funny drama that is in a setting other than a crime lab, courtroom, or hospital. We needed this drama on tv. That NBC has cancelled it just goes to prove how out of touch they are with their audience. I now refuse to start watching any of their new shows they put on. Why start watching, when it if's actually a good program, they'll just cancel it?

[anniemh20]

Bring back studio 60! There is nothing left on NBC that requires a brain!!!

[mmmbeth8]

Studio 60 was the smartest show on the air, Save Studio 60!

[U2FL]

If your goal is quality why cancel a top quality show like Studio 60? I want intelligent television ... without Studio 60 there's nothing left on NBC worth watching. There were no tricks there - just an incredible cast and writing team. It filled the void left by West Wing. Without it my time will be spent on the other networks and not the mindless dribble that you define as "quality."

[NetworkRebel]

SAVE STUDIO 60!!

[geodio]

Here's a thought for your magic bag - air television that makes you thinkg and is well written. Not this ridiculous reality garbage. Give a show a chance and it will succeed. You just cancelled Studio 60 and ruined the best thing you had. NBC is dead to me.

[strtfocus]

It is hard to imagine how successful your new "quality" approach is going to be when media analysts at advertising agencies you deal with, like Cara USA, are already questioning your judgment on national media outlets. There is blood in the water Ben. When the controversy gets loud enough your bosses at GE are going to tell you to make it stop -- and you won't be able to. There are no shows in your magic bag with the quality of Studio 60. At the end of the day magic is just an illusion.

[Kellepic]

Quality television, you mean mindless reality television. Please stop putting these stupid shows on. Bring back Studio 60 now that is quality television.

[Ilike2think]

You want to show us you are interested in quality content then bring back Studio 60. It's in your magic bag. Go look or you can bet you will go down as "The Biggest Looser". The Bionic Women? Give me a break! We don't want anymore trash we want good, engaging dialog. We want great characters we can care about. We want great acting. We don't want to see anymore losers making fools of themselves on TV. Get Smart Ben. Bring back Studio 60!

[puzzls]

Studio 60 is one of the best written, most intelligent and genuinely human shows to ever be aired on television. I enjoy a good guilty pleasure as much as the next person, but Studio 60 was truly nourishing. Why you decided to pair it with Heroes (which I also watched - but really! That's like serving corn dogs with caviar!) is a mystery. When you cancelled this show you lost a long time NBC viewer. I'll stick to online from now on. At least iTunes recognizes quality.

[Spradlinn]

Hey Shithead! Yeah, no shit, we know how media is changing! Bring back Studio 60, you pinhead suit(with no tie). How dare you talk about great content, then cancel Studio 60 and recreate dogshit like the Bionic Woman and air it?!!! Why don't you look inside your magic fucking bag and find something that was already in there, called 'STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP'!!!!!

BRING IT BACK!!!!! Or I'll have your job!!

[Jnovak43]

Quality Programing = Studio 60... Exploding Media = more like our heads exploding from pointless reality television... Mr. Silverman, welcome to NBC... NOW SAVE STUDIO 60! SAVE STUDIO 60 NO MORE TV FOR AIRHEADS!

[dannytripfan]

Mr Silverman we want QUALITY TV and that means we WANT STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP How can you think of cancelling a show that stars BRADLEY WHITFORD and MATTHEW PERRY are you taking to many Flintstone vitamins

SAVE STUDIO 60 NO MORE TV FOR AIRHEADS

[GGWarrior]

Jeez, what a potzer. No Studio 60 = No NBC for me. Screw these guys. "Media's on your PDA, media's on your cell phone." Moron.

[IcantspellXIII]

I for one am boycotting NBC (once these new episodes of Studio 60 are over) until Studio 60 is back.

[ycvivian]

This guy is about as boring as NBC itself.

[friarbuck640]

This guy is a moron! NBC hasn't had "must see tv" since FRIENDS left the network. Studio 60 was the best thing they had going and they threw it away. I weep for the future of NBC with this "maroon" and Zucker running the show. Studio 60's fan base was made up of more alpha dogs than the office ever had. The office isn't original it is just a copy of something someone else thought of. Studio 60 was true originality. D*MN the Man, D*MN NBC! Save Studio 60.

[Nnoga23]

You claim to want "quality programing" on your network, and yet you cancel a show like Studio 60.I'm afraid that your lack of support has killed any hope of keeping it on any longer, but if you have any sense of what "quality progaming" is, then you will beg to get Sorkin, Schlamme, and the cast to come back to film another season of this incredible show. It's smart, it's funny, it's good entertainment in a world where that is horribly lacking.Keep the good thing that you've got- S60.

[danhumiston]

NBC, how could you take a great show like Studio 60 and bury it on Monday nights? Some shows take a while to build and gather momentum. How many seasons did it take for Everybody Loves Raymond to catch on at a third place network? Some shows need time to find a audience, especially when you stick 'em on Monday nights. Like Raymond.

[MacRobAtTwoRobs]

"The next big thing"?!?!?!?!? Your network had it and you have cancled it. Studio 60 is the only show that my wife and I watch on NBC. We liked it so much, I bought a season pass on iTunes to watch it again. I guess we will go back to CSI wherever for intelligent TV.

[tinklovestaylor]

I have become so completely disillusioned with the big 4 and the cancellation of Studio 60 has pushed it to the extreme. The execs at NBC have just lost me as a veiwer completely. BRING BACK S60!!!!

[Aarkon]

You'll have to keep looking for the next big thing, since you had the current big thing, Studio 60. You passed on it so you'll have to find the 'next big thing'. Though odds are you'll cancel it as well as you did with Studio 60.

Nice Job.

[SharkTrag]

It's a sad sign of the times that you have cancelled Studio 60, one of the best shows by a mile on television. To cancel it is narrow minded, ignorant and cowardly.

[heathbulred]

Sorry NBC. If you lose STUDIO 60, you lose me. Bionic Woman? Apparently that decision was made over drinks.

[gwinifer2]

SAVE STUDIO 60

My favorite nights on NBC are Thursdays and Mondays.

I HATE the BLACK DONNELLY's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KEEP STUDIO 60

Please don't get rid of a show with smart dialog.

[strtfocus]

In advertising there is a strategy called the "Big Lie." The idea is you can sell anything if you have an attractively dressed person say the same thing over and over - even if it's a lie. Marketing research has shown the tactic to be very effective.

This guy is lying through his teeth and he knows it. What makes me angry is the fact that he thinks we are too stupid to notice.

If this is the best they can do then it's goodbye NBC and goodbye to your advertisers.

[dociedee]

Do we really need two nights of Deal or No Deal? Enough already with Scrubs and My Name is Earl. We want quality programs like Studio 60 with it's fast paced dialogue and great storylines. Give us another season, please!

[KBTibbs]

It's too bad that he seems focused on "the next big thing" to the exclusion of great quality programs like "Studio 60."

It's a real shame. NBC only had "Studio 60" and "The Office" for me. And then there was one.

[jfl440]

This guy is unbelievable. He's just lying through his teeth with a big smirky smile.

You idiots cancelled Studio 60, easily the best show to come out in many years. Don't even begin to talk about quality programming. "The Real Wedding Crashers"?! The gall of these elitist clowns is staggering.

But hey, chumpy has his multi-million dollar job shoving brain-damaging drivel down the throats of the consumers targeted by his crappy industry. Thus the big feces-eating grin.

[BelleBlake]

We need Studio 60 the same way we need the Office. I've been walking into my office hollaring about both shows for a long time. What I got from all the people in my office was...."When is it on? 10 o'clock? Oh, honey that's way too late for me." The audience that would appreciate this show is ASLEEP at that time! I wish this show could get another chance. Shame on NBC.

[kcha295]

put on studio 60!

[judycwrite]

NBC used to be the "must see" network. But now, head honcho's cannot "see" the hit they had with Studio 60? Studio 60 is one of the most eloquent, character driven and spellbinding dramas on the airwaves and what does NBC do? Trades it in for testosterone and baseball bats! 

OPEN YOUR EYES AND SEE WHAT IS TRULY "MUST SEE TV"!!

Give us another season of Studio 60!!

[cjfan71]

I'm unsure if Ben got the memo...he works for NBC. NBC canceled quality dramas (Crossing Jordan, Studio 60, The Black Donnellys), but retained lower-ranked shows-Friday Night Lights, 30 Rock, and Scrubs. They insist on putting IQ-lowering shows on television. The Singing Bee and The Baby Borrowers will not cut it. Neither will the bionic woman, and a quantum leap ripoff. I'm done with NBC. I've had enough of their cancellations and retention of stupid shows.

[dmldc]

You twit! You HAD the next big thing in Studio 60 and you let it go without a fight! It had everything...timing, writing, incredible acting and a rabid fan base. Read your own boards on your website to see that we are crazy for this show and completely let down that NBC is letting it go. Even the most successful show of all time (M*A*S*H) had horrible rating in its first season. Who knows how long Studio 60 could have lasted if only it had been given a chance.

[Fischerman123]

I think Ben Silverman should be replaced by Jordan McDeere.

[steffi320]

Wrong! NBC's tradition isnt quality programming, its cancelling shows! NBC is awful at promoting shows and then wonder why they don't get the ratings. Or maybe its because of all of these reality TV shows they keep thinking will work. He better keep searching in that magic bag of his, because the fall lineup isn't going to do well either. The fans made The Black Donnellys popular even after it was cancelled. NBC is ignorant to what the viewers want to watch.

[willowandme]

Mr. Silverman, NBC had the Next Great Thing and let it go. Studio 60 was that and all you say about the office with the Alpha consumers and a very dedicated fanbase (see the various message boards on NBC, MySpace, LiveJournal and elsewhere). NBC blew it and once Studio 60 is gone, I am gone from watching the network. You say nothing in this interview to give me confidence that the network will get any better. Please stop pandering to the lowest common denominator.

[johnfoxxe]

"look in the magic bag and find some tricks"

... hypocrites

[roox]

ABC owns NBC

[Fischerman123]

And, the next big thing? YOU MISSED IT, MORON! You missed it! The next big thing was Studio 60. Where is it?

[Fischerman123]

Why does he talk about activating the audience, when he canceled Studio 60, who a bunch of fans send mails and used the Internet to say that it should be on the air? It's ironic.

Studio 60 is one of the best shows made.

[strtfocus]

God help us all. I hear programmed message and a total lack of understanding of what quality means. Game shows as narrative meaningful stories? Mass then class? The only thing he cares about is Jeff Zucker's desire to use the digital media to sell product. He doesn't care what the product is as long as people buy. Don't tell me that people who watch "Baby Borrowers" or "The Singing Bee" are Alpha consumers. The only quality left at NBC is the word in their press releases.

[dannytripfan]

Ben Do you watched NBC? NBC canceled Studio 60 a show with quality drama. You need to Re-new Studio 60, watch Breaking News to see real drama. If you are looking at ratings why keep 30 Rock or FNL, ratings were below Studio 60. Re-Run season one over the summer and start it in the fall at 9pm time slot. Promote the show so people know it is on the air and NBC will have a hit like Cheers, Friends and West Wing. NBC made a huge mistake canceling Studio 60 and in doing so lost this viewer.

[tankerwife2001]

LOL He's so funny! He's talking about people that are passionate about a show influencing other people to watch the show. Isn't that exactly what we're doing with The Black Donnellys. We have brought so many people in to watch that amazing show. We did NBC's job for them. We actually advertised and promoted the show. Now so many more people watch it that didn't even know it was on NBC before. The Black Donnellys is quality TV and they made a huge mistake cancelling it.

[crossingboston]

Kevin thinks of quality programming when he thinks of NBC...good for him. I think that makes one person that does. Guess what...NBC's highest primetime show ranks 30. They're cancelling good programming and putting horrible "filler" on the screen. They're substituting drama for dumb reality shows and horrible game shows. I've quit NBC. I want something that increases my IQ...not decreases it.

[TVRatingsUSA]

I love NBC!