Gawker
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party report
Limo Liberals Worship Before Their Nemesis
Arianna Huffington's new book — Right Is Wrong — is as partisan a piece of political writing as any during this political season. The subtitle says it all: "How the Lunatic Fringe Hijacked America, Shredded the Constitution, and Made Us All Less Safe." At Friday night's book party at the Chambers hotel in Midtown however, the divide between the guests was anything but political. The Greek-born polemicist has herself made a mockery of political convictions by switching so effortlessly from conservative wife-of-convenience to liberal power woman. To be sure, the tycoons she had assembled — Mort Zuckerman of Boston Properties and the New York Daily News; Les Moonves of CBS; former Viacom boss Tom Freston; and Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone and US Weekly — were quintessential rich liberals. But any Marxist observer at the party would note that the guests true loyalty was less to a political ideology than to their class. More »
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By Nick DentonComment by raincoaster: "the guests true loyalty was less to a political ideology than to their class." Which would that be? Arrivistes? Once and... 1 Responses | Other threads
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rumormonger
Meet Microsoft's stooges for the Yahoo board
Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang may finally be starting to ease into Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's bear hug. But just in case Yang goes suddenly frigid, Ballmer is ready to turn Microsoft's bid to acquire Yahoo from surly to hostile. TechCrunch reports Ballmer has a list of candidates for Yahoo's board ready to go. The stooges, below. More » -
special ed
Former Viacom C.E.O. Tom Freston's suit against the City of New York goes to the Supreme Court today. "[T]he central question of the case: Must parents of special-education students give public schools a chance before having taxpayers reimburse them for private-school tuition?" Freston's son has attention deficit disorder; Freston thought that he couldn't perform in math class (the City disagreed) and then asked the City to foot the $21,819 tuition of private school Gaynor. Expect to see the phrase "$85 million dollar severance deal" appear in most of the coverage of the trial. [WSJ] -
defamer
DreamWorks Ani Extends Bird Viacomward, Takes On Tom Freston
· Thumbing its nose at coldhearted, Spielberg-disrespecting corporate partner Viacom, DreamWorks Animation names legendary Sumner Redstone shitcanee Tom Freston to its board of directors. That'll teach you not to fuck with a national treasure, unfeeling new CEO Phillppe Dauman! [Variety] More » -
timeline
MTV's history of digital-music failure
How long will it take the corporate suits at Viacom to realize that MTV Networks will never, ever, ever succeed in digital music? The latest move, folding MTV's Urge online music store into RealNetworks' Rhapsody service, is just another example of its fumbling. One could point out that MTV doesn't actually broadcast much in the way of music these days; to the extent it's holding onto its youth demographic, it's doing so with a TV schedule packed with reality shows and teen soap operas. Do its viewers even know that the "M" in "MTV" stands for "music"? But never mind that. The reality of MTV is a decade-long history of complete and utter failure in digital music. The timeline of missed opportunities, botched deals, and general cluelessness, after the jump: More » -
mtv
Inside Baseball: MTV Networks
The recent staffing changes over at MTV Networks made us curious: What exactly is going on at everyone's favorite former home of music videos? A former Viacom staffer is on hand to answer our questions. After the jump, analysis and what's probably a little axe-grinding. Either way, it's not a pretty picture. Much like that shot of MTV Global Digital Media Whatever Mika Salmi. More » -
tom freston
Pittman and Freston, Together Again
We have no idea what any of this means, and we could probably care less, but it does include ousted Viacom CEO Tom Freston, former AOL head Bob Pittman, and, uh, Kate Spade, so, you know, we'll slap it up here. Also, it says "embargoed news," which is a pretty good way to get your press release up on Gawker. So it's something about Plum, "a new type of media company." Get the whole story after the jump. More » -
rumors
Irresponsible Rumormongering: Stiffed By MTV?
We once again do that thing where we throw out something totally unconfirmed and let knowledgeable sources deny it. Anyway, a correspondent corresponds:Viacom Holding Money Back to look good for Wall Street
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new york times
Today in the 'Times': Stuff You Won't Read Anywhere Else Except the Internet
Monday's NYT Media section brings news of two recent events in the industry: First, David Carr tackles those John Mellencamp "This is our country" car commercials that ran approximately five times for each Tiger pitching error during the World Series. You may have heard about it elsewhere on the Internet, but it's worth reading for Carr's chiding ("you can wave the flag or you can drape one over a coffin. You can't do both.") and his masterful display of what's obviously a deep familiarity with Mellencamp's back catalog. Also, Richard Siklos covers the recent roast of deposed Viacom head Tom Freston, noting the "small clutch of writers who specialize in the genre of media-mogul laughs," of whom Mark Katz, the "reigning king," is cited. Katz was also cited last week by both Radar and B&C, but this story mentions his "[initial reticence] about being interviewed because he does not want to appear to be diminishing the comedic chops of his clients." Guy won't give it up for Jeff Bercovici, but will happily talk to the Times: this is why we still need print media. More » -
tom cruise
Brad Grey Characterizes Paramount-Tom Cruise Affair As A Stalemate Between 'Showbiz Friends'
Yesterday's Tom Freston-kebabing powwow was an event the likes of which we rarely see, with the world's greatest media titans gathered beneath the roof of the Pierre Hotel in New York to toast their associate with a steady stream of laughter and uncensored ribaldry, interrupted only by the occasional jab at the lukewarm Cornish game hen taunting them blandly from a luncheon plate. We return now to Variety's coverage of the historic event, with a detailed account of how the crucial rook of Sumner Redstone's expertly plotted chessboard—Paramount head Brad Grey—told a group of executives about the strategy behind his savage capture of Tom Cruise's vulnerable queen: More » -
defamer
Trade Round-Up: Tom Freston Tries Out His New Material
· Hollywood's abuzz about Tom Freston's roast in New York last night, where the terminated, terminally nice guy managed to get a few good ones in, too: "I've been, what do these kids do? Swimming the Internet. Check this out. MySpace.com — one word not two. I'm telling you, one day this is going to be worth a bundle." Make sure to read his instant message conversation with Tom Cruise, in which the two discuss their enthusiasm for something called "MEGA-ATOMIC IMPALER." (Which we'll assume is a video game and not...um...a mega-atomic impaler.) [Variety] More » -
sumner redstone
Sting Of Tom Freston Roast Remarks Muted By Secure Knowledge That He Is Richer Than God
It was less than two months ago that ex-Viacom president and CEO Tom Freston exited the company, forcefully nudged out the doors by a doggedly determined Sumner Redstone applying steady pressure to the joystick of his luxuriously appointed mobility scooter. Yesterday, some of Freston's greatest allies gathered to pay irreverent homage to their fallen (if you call a $59 million severance package "falling") idol with one of those outrageous "roasts" those kids who run 99.7% of the world's mass media love so much: More » -
trade roundup
Trade Round-Up: Freston's Fall From Viacom Grace Cushioned By Mattress Stuffed With $59 Million
Now we know the real reason that Sumner Redstone almost cried the night he fired Tom Freston: Freston's golden parachute just cost him $59 million for that one year on the job, plus millions more in consultant fees, deferred compensation, and his 401 (k). That's not just fuck-you money, that's fuck-you-and-everyone- who-looks-like-you money. [Variety] More » -
sumner redstone
Sumner Redstone: How I Got Myself Into That Whole Freston-Moonves Mess
Variety finally offers some insight into how recently pinkslip-happy Viacom executive mummy Sumner Redstone decided to cleave his corporate kingdom in twain and install yingy MTV builder Tom Freston and yangy CBS despot Les Moonves as the twin CEOs of his newly split companies, a move that stoked a highly entertaining feud between Redstone's vassals. Notes Var: More » -
media
Media Bubble: Also, Some Chick Gave Notice At Some Blog
• Could Tom Freston replace NBC Chief Executive Bob Wright? We're hoping yes, because a) we still blame Jeff Zucker for Hidden Hills, and b) Freston-Moonves II will make Ali-Frazier II look like Tyson-McNeely. [NYP] More »
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By abalk2Comment by suburbanangst: Jessica I just want you to know that I cut myself last night for the first time since I was... more » | Other threads
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media
Media Bubble: Houses in Motion
• Metro, the other free paper you avoid being handed as you walk into the subway, has fired EIC Mark Moore. [E&P] More » -
alyssa shelasky
Remainders: PopoZo We Knew You Not
• Hey, got a second? Good, take a seat. We've got some distressing news for you, so brace yourself: Kevin Federline's unforgettable first single, "PopoZ o," will not be included on his debut album. We don't understand it either. It's just too soon to see something so great die; sob... [Idolator] More »
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By JessicaComment by the earl grey: Flyover, I have a selection of authentic khaki Out of Africa gear but only whip it out once or twice... more » | Other threads
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les moonves
CBS Head Les Moonves The "Laughing At The Destruction Of His Enemies On The Inside" Type
Mr. Moonves is too savvy a political player to show even a hint of schadenfreude over the ouster of Mr. Freston.
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By abalk2Comment by Worker #3116: Haha. My comment doesn't even make any sense. more » | Other threads
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katie couric
Gawker's Week in Review: Yes, Suri, She's Going to Have a Rough Childhood
• After an extended period of darkness, 4-year-old Suri Cruise finally reveals herself to the world as a beautiful Asian-American. More »
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By JessicaComment by chrissy2006: Such a great blog! Your write-ups surely are informative and interesting. In the case of Suri if indeed she will... more » | Other threads
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tom freston
O Freston, My Freston!
Former Viacom President and CEO Tom Freston left the building yesterday following his not-so-abruptcanningresignation; readers reported that Viacom worker bees gathered in the lobby to send him off (according to someone who says to have spoken with a security guard, the number was around 2500 employees). Freston exited in tears and, by all accounts, it was a genuine display of emotion never experienced by otherwise abused minions. See? Corporations do have a soul, especially when they fire you. More » -
tom freston
Tom Freston Has Left the Building
Former president and CEO of Viacom Tom Freston has just left the office and, according the reader reports, it was the most emotional experience ever mandated by any evil corporation ever: More »
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By JessicaComment by YourDoctrinaire: I saw people down there who obviously had no professional connection to the man, whose jobs will always be the... more » | Other threads
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tom freston
Tom Freston To Take Some Time To Figure His Shit Out
Today's LAT is all too eager to push Tom Freston into a new gig, polling a number of friends, associates, and analysts about recently pinkslipped Viacom CEO's next career move and the prospects for making his "second act" more glorious that the one upon which Sumner Redstone so unexpectedly dropped the curtain this weekend. The legendarily laid-back Freston, however, isn't going to going to cave to pressure, strap on the first Armani straightjacket he's offered, and hop right back on the 20-hour-a-day treadmill. Instead, he's going to take some time off to find himself: More » -
paramount
Sumner Redstone, The Crying Executioner
Lest you believe that octogenarian Viacom serial killer Sumner Redstone feels nothing each time he unsheathes his jewel-encrusted dagger and buries it hilt-deep between the shoulder blades of an unsuspecting victim, Redstone shares with THR the emotional torment that gripped him as lured his latest corporate quarry to his doom: More » -
brad grey
Brad Grey Tells The Kids That Daddy Is Probably Never Coming Home
It seems like only yesterday that freshly Redstoned ex-Viacom president and CEO Tom Freston excitedly introduced new studio head Brad Grey to his corporate family by gushing about how "great" everything was going to be at the New Paramount in an e-mail so laden with giddy exuberance that computers on the company's overtaxed network nearly exploded into a hail of rainbows and smoldering happy face emoticons. But roughly nine months later, things are considerably more sad-face for Grey, as he had to take some time from his busy schedule of nervously hand-shredding stacks of buckslips while worrying about his own job security to approve a heartfelt goodbye to Freston lovingly penned by someone in Viacom PR. More » -
tom freston
Field Guide: Firing Tom Freston
One of these men just found out he's dead, and it's not the one you'd think from the photo. Tom Freston (left), the former president and CEO of Viacom — and one of the founding forces of MTV and all its associated cash cows — got his walking papers this weekend from principle shareholding nosferatu Sumner Redstone (right). Sure, the official line from Viacom has Freston resigning rather than getting ankled, though they don't even bother with the politely thin pretense of "to pursue other opportunities." After Redstone split Viacom and its host of entertainment subsidiaries (MTV, Paramount, etc.) away from CBS, Freston was put in charge of Viacom, with mogul Les Moonves heading up CBS. This precipitated a bizarrely sourceless, ongoing spat between Moonves and Freston, seeming to originate purely in Moonves's egomania and rumored lust for Paramount. Was it this rivalry that led to Freston's defenestration, or something else? Something ... stupider?
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By Chris MohneyComment by westward ho: shesus. did you have to make the picture THAT big? those two faces together are causing my hymen to regenerate. more » | Other threads
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trade roundup
Trade Round-Up: More On Tom Freston
In a conference call explaining Tom Freston's exit from Viacom, a displeased Sumner Redstone let on that he was "like, Tom-Cruise-shitcanning pissed" that Freston let MySpace slip through their fingers and get snapped up by rival Rupert Murdoch. [Variety] More » -
top
Breaking: Back to School Bloodshed! Tom Freston Out at Viacom
Vacation's over, suckers, and Viacom grandaddy Sumner Redstone is up early and ready to roll. On the first day of school, he's rearranging the desks in his multimedia conglomerate schoolhouse and, just to make sure everyone knows he means business, class President and CEO Tom Freston has "resigned." On the bright side, employees will no longer have to fear Freston's blood-drawing, porcupine mane.
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By JessicaComment by sock puppeteer: I'm shocked, shocked! Now let's see how long Mr. Julie Chen lasts. more » | Other threads
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les moonves
Moonves-Freston Feud Elevated To DEFCON 3 Status
There is nothing in this life we enjoy more than stories recounting the petty squabbles of powerful men, so imagine for a moment our delight over today's NY Post article dedicated to the ongoing, though somewhat disappointingly one-sided, bloodfeud between generously betoothed future galactic despot Les Moonves of CBS Corp. and his favorite new pincushion, Viacom's Tom Freston. The Post gives us an overdue State of the Slap-Fight update: More » -
trade roundup
Trade Round-Up: Ace Ventura III: Pet Detective With A Malibu Beachhouse Payment To Make
Fresh off the flop of My Super Ex Girlfriend, director Ivan Reitman convinces a financial backer to contribute $200 million to co-finance ten films over the next five years through his Montecito Picture Co. Producing partner Tom Pollock explains the economics of their hit-and-miss, mid-budgeted comedies: "The kinds of movies we make are in an exceptionally sweet spot in the studio system; we tend to make comedies at a price. When they work, like with Old School and Road Trip, they make a lot of money. When they don't, like Eurotrip, they don't lose much. From a Wall Street standpoint, that's a good risk." Here's to throwing shitty comedies against the wall and seeing what sticks! [Variety] More » -
defamer
Trade Round-Up: Studios Chew Up Employees, Shit Out Money
Disney employees who recently lost their jobs in the recent Cast Member Massacre will be overjoyed to learn that the company made "massive gains in its fiscal third quarter," and that's even before their saved salaries and the Pirates 2 box office dollars hit the books. OK, here's a cheerier thought: The noble sacrifice of their paychecks will probably help Bob Iger boost his annual bonus. Yay! [Variety] More » -
defamer
Trade Round-Up: Les Moonves Inches Closer To Destorying Tom Freston
CBS Corp's Les Moonves' sinister plan to slowly destroy corporate rival/brother Tom Freston of Viacom proceeds apace with the announcement that CBS's film unit will produce 4 to 6 mid-budgeted movies a year, which Moonves will then use to stock Showtime and reduce the network's dependence on Freston's Paramount product. That clear? No? Just imagine Moonves kicking Freston in the balls and you've got the gist. [Variety] More » -
defamer
Sumner Redstone Displeased By Moonves-Freston Slap-Fight
According to Page Six, skeletal Viacom executive presence Sumner Redstone was so displeased by rumors that corporate lieutenants Les Moonves and Tom Freston are leaking stories about each other to the press that he leaned back in his throne (upholstered, of course, in the tanned flesh of a former board member who once disappointed him), breathed a world-weary sigh that rattled his frail rib cage in a most unpleasant way, and finally gave two exasperated tugs on the velvet cord dangling behind him, summoning his bickering minions for a sit-down in which he could personally administer a punitive spoonful of castor oil to each chairman: More » -
paramount
Paramount Sells DreamWorks Library To Soros
As expected, Paramount has sold the DreamWorks film library to a group headed by billionaire George Soros for $900 million, thus greatly defraying the cost of Paramount emperor Brad Grey's early Christmas gift to himself. We can't be bothered to read the press release announcing the boring details of the sale, but because we're committed to recreating the experience of being employed by Viacom for our readers, we're happy to pass along CEO Tom Freston's internal e-mail about the deal. It's just like being on the Melrose lot and wondering if there's any way your coroporate overlords can transition seemingly good news into a fresh round of layoffs! More » -
trade roundup
Trade Round-Up: David Cross Does Freak Show
· David Cross will executive produce seven episodes of the animated Freak Show for Comedy Central. Though we have no idea whether or not this has any impact on those Arrested Development rumors, feel free to interpret in any fashion that makes you feel good. [Variety] More » -
defamer
Trade Round-Up: Affleck and Damon Team Up Again
· Tom Freston unveils the new Viacom for investors, which will adhere to a "two-pronged approach" of domestic niches and international expansion. Other prongs left unmentioned: fucking CBS Corp. employees out of everything they can, and laying off enough of their own Paramount workforce to start a studio of their own. [Variety] More » -
paramount
A Lot Divided: DVD Discount Reinstated!
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Paramount lot found itself suddenly divided by the official corporate split of Viacom into two new—and competing—companies, with employees of the just-created CBS Corp. instantly demoted to second-class citizenship on the New Viacom-controlled campus. The gods of Viacom celebrated the split by toying with the CBSers, heaping Job-like trials upon them in an attempt to make them curse their Moonves for allowing their capricious suffering. But now, perhaps in an attempt to retract some former pettiness, Team Freston has made an ameliorating gesture: the reinstatement of the coveted DVD discount for everyone. Says an operative on the lot: More » -
defamer
Trade Round-Up: Sumner Redstone Still In Control
· Despite optimistic New Viacom CEO Tom Freston's intimation that chairman/skeletal executive presence Sumner Redstone wouldn't be as "actively involved in the day-to-day business" of his company, Redstone assures us that his bony fingers are still clamped around the throats of both Freston and CBS Corp head Les Moonves. He also says he encourages the two companies to compete—not for any business reasons, just because the bloodsport gives him pleasure. [Variety] More » -
paramount
A Lot Divided, Part The Third: Goodbye, DVD Discount
Like a father suddenly freed from the obligations of grudging parenthood by a negative paternity test, New Viacom CEO Tom Freston continues to withdraw the last vestiges of his love from his former CBS children. An operative on the Paramount lot relates the latest slight to the Untouchables of CBS: More »
tom freston
New York, 8:01 PM
Fri Jul 10
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