Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 1281 Richard signed a major client

"Richard, Niceta, you've 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, the network's Ed Bastian also participated in their discussion.

Letterman understands that his chances of staying at NBC are slim. Now he just wants to get revenge on them and let them understand who is the host who can bring the most advertising revenue to the network.

Anyway, Ovitz has the same style of play. Letterman prefers to sign with Niceta and Richard's team who respect him. Anyway, they are all signed by CAA. Isn't it good to sign someone with a good attitude?

After the introduction, Ronald left the room and went back to entertaining his son with Diane. In theory, he should not participate in discussions between clients and brokers, but with Bastian here, important matters will not be hidden 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 having such a big-name host is very beneficial to its stars.

The trio of agents encouraged Letterman. After all, no one in Jay Leno has ever shouldered a real burden. How can Letterman, who has had a successful hosting career for about ten years, be a proven person.

The little calculation of NBC executives is that I want both. In any case, Letterman's late night show at 12:30 brought in advertising revenue not much less than Johnny Carson's.

"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…”

"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!"

The same goes for you, it’s not NBC’s schedule that makes you, it’s you that makes NBC’s schedule...

"Okay, I'm very satisfied with this arrangement." David Letterman and the lawyer looked at each other without any objection.

"No, I trust you because you are Ronald's agent, but I don't trust Ovitz. If you guys insist that I sign a contract with him, I will not agree. I'm sorry..." Letterman Very dissatisfied with being humiliated by Ovitz, even more so than NBC.

"CAA has regulations. You cannot have your contract exclusively by yourself. A heavyweight like you must have a top-level partner involved. This is CAA's regulations, so..."

Aren't you just afraid that taking over as host will cause a drop in ratings and advertising? Now we have told you that nothing will happen. You see, when we spoke out in newspapers, the audience also supported us a lot. As for Letterman, wouldn't it be nice to continue hosting his late-night show?

In this way, the vast audience knows that Jay Leno is a host comparable to Johnny Carson. When the time comes to take over, the ratings will not drop much in the short term as long as they can inherit Carson's division.

"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 He’ll meet first and if you feel good about him, we’ll let him share your agency contract.”

I can guarantee you that no TV network will let you go. You have ten years of successful experience and 55 million in advertising revenue every year. This is all brought by your audience, 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 really makes people believe it...

"What should we do?" Letterman and the lawyer nodded repeatedly. This statement was an eye-opener for him. 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 that people from big cities had so many tricks?

Originally, this advantage should not be exclusive to Jay Leno. If Letterman has a qualified team, he can adopt a similar strategy. As long as the public opinion is formed that the two are competing for a successor position, instead of Jay Leno being better than Carson, then the audience's feedback will definitely be Will be divided into two factions, Letterman can fight.

"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 saw the key. Letterman had 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.

"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 awesome." Ed Bastian looked at Letterman and his expression improved. , continue to say...

NBC's upper management has the idea of ​​​​changing generals, but has not yet publicly announced it. This is a period of chaos. The audience's support for Jay Leno to take over will be a very good card.

“It wasn’t the half-past eleven that made Johnny Carson, it was Johnny Carson that made half-past eleven…Before him, The Late Late Show was one of the lowest-rated programs on television…

"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.

Although he lost the opportunity, Letterman was not without the ability to fight back. Jay Leno's agent, Helen Kushnick, is very capable and has the courage to reveal the matter before NBC makes a decision.

As the Chinese proverb goes, cook the rice first.

"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.

"Don't worry, I'm very familiar with Howard Stringer, the president of CBS, and Robert Iger, the president of ABC. 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 possible candidates for David Letterman. After all, his ability is mainly reflected in the ability to attract advertising revenue, rather than the ability to add new subscribers to cable TV like CNN.

……

Letterman and Bastian also chatted about some arrangements, when Ronald walked in.

"Are you done talking? Let me introduce you to a new friend. This is my barrister in charge of Hollywood affairs, Mickey Kent..."

Ronald introduced Kent, the belated lawyer, to Letterman and his personal attorney. Mickey Kent specializes in fighting celebrity lawsuits like this. Whether Letterman wants to regain the position of Johnny Carson's successor or to terminate the slave contract if things don't work out, he needs the help of a well-known lawyer.

Anyway, his personal lawyer was not doing well this time, so it was logical to introduce him to a new professional lawyer.

After talking about contract disputes and solutions between various stars and studios (similar to Letterman's situation with NBC), Letterman became more confident. He understood that he was also a star, and it would be a complete waste not to use his fans to gain benefits...

"Ronald, thank you. I just realized today who my real friend is..." David Letterman talked for three consecutive times, each of which was satisfactory. Now he is full of fighting spirit and decided not to succeed. We also have to do a show that won't make life easy for Jay Leno. "Don't say these things, I'm just not happy 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." I 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, in a 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 invited 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 Niceta will help you. Find the stars you want to be on the show and Richard will be your main agent..."

Letterman successfully signed a contract with CAA, 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 center of gossip for people across the United States. Since the hottest thing right now is that Johnny Carson is facing the issue of retirement and succession, then Johnny Carson has the obligation to discuss this on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show. question.

"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 was very experienced and immediately covered it up with an embarrassed smile, and then the two of them made some jokes. Johnny Carson started the conversation again, "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 got so angry that he stood up from his chair and said with an angry look on his face, "Let me give you a little hosting advice, Johnny. If you keep asking questions like this, you'll be out of a job right away. .”

"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 hasn't been decided yet, and Jay Leno hasn't secured it yet. And David Letterman will never stay at NBC if he fails...

"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 memo 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. He almost lost the opportunity when he robbed him of it. The intern who got out of CAA has now become the agent 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. What can I do?”

(End of this chapter)