After sending off Frank Wells, Eric welcomed the president of Fox Television, William Bell, into the office.
"William, how is the performance of Fox TV during this time?" Eric sat down on the sofa in the office, and was not in a hurry to ask William Bell's reason for coming, but chatted about the status quo of Fox TV.
Hearing this question, William Bell was a little excited. Although Barry Diller was the top leader of Fox TV, as the second leader, because of "Friends", the rise of Fox TV was strong, so William Bell also passed the time. He was proud of the spring breeze. Originally, he felt a little embarrassed when he saw the general manager level executives of the three major TV stations. Now, even in the face of the chairman of the three major TV stations, William Bell can hold his head high.
"Very good, Eric. A few days ago, the first season finale of "Friends" had an average viewership of 28 million, and the average viewership of the first season also reached 23 million. There is no doubt that it will be This year's TV drama ratings champion. Although "Friends" has already finished broadcasting, the regular viewership of Fox TV has reached 11 million. By the way, we also have a cartoon called "The Simpsons", with an average of The ratings reached 13 million, and the company has already renewed the second season...∞⌒,..."
Eric listened patiently, nodding in agreement from time to time. After William Bell finished speaking, Eric asked, "So, William, what do you want me to do today?"
William Bell said: "It's about the two programs "X-Files" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire". Mr. Diller wants to start the production of these two programs as soon as possible, by the way. Eric. I remember the original Isn't the plan for "X-Files" to produce the first episode this month. Why is there no movement now?"
Eric also showed a helpless look on his face, although his original plan was indeed like this, but the plan will never keep up with the changes, because Firefly and Fox attach great importance to "X-Files", two companies sent by the two companies The producers will have disagreements in many aspects, and they often have to go to Eric to make a decision, which also causes delays in the preparation progress.
In addition, although "X-Files" has now confirmed the actor, the heroine still has no clue. It is estimated that it will be launched in January next year. but. Eric wasn't in a hurry either. It happened that Firefly's finances at the end of the year began to be a little tight, so it would be a good idea to start the production of "X-Files" after the share from "Dark War" and "Friends" arrives at the end of this month.
As for "Who Will Be a Millionaire", this program is quite simple, and Eric is not in a hurry, and it is still a question of funds. Although this program is very simple, it still requires millions of investments, half of which are To fireflies come out. Because of the Cisco thing. Eric has transferred the previous 10 million US dollars to the account of the investment company chaired by Chris Hansen, and now the joint activity funds of Firefly and New Line do not exceed 10 million US dollars. This money is needed for the release of the videotape of "Jin Yumeng" and "Scent of a Woman". So everything has to wait until the end of the month when the total 117 million share from "Dark War" and "Friends" arrives.
Eric didn't shy away from it, and told William Bell about his difficulties before saying: "William, look, Firefly has no money now, so our part of the funds can't be invested in time, besides, " "The X-Files" will premiere in September next year, and now there is plenty of time. As for "Who Will Be a Millionaire", it will definitely be launched together with the spring season of American TV dramas in March. This program has been prepared for a month and the publicity is over. enough."
"But..." Eric's words were well-founded. Coupled with the fact that the other party had a layer of 'boss' status, William Bell didn't know what to say. He didn't even understand why Barry Diller was so obsessed. Let yourself come here, the tone is still so tough and urgent.
"Eric, to be honest, Mr. Diller asked me to come this time," William Bell said with a heart-to-heart look: "I think there may be the fact that "Friends" was snatched by the three major TV stations. Diller worried that things might go awry."
Eric laughed and said: "This kind of worry is completely unnecessary, William, Firefly now owns 10% of Fox's shares, how could I have no position to hand over the TV show to others, besides, we signed the contract , what are you worried about?"
William Bell actually thought so in his heart, and finally had no choice but to say: "Eric, why don't you call and explain to Mr. Diller in person, or I can't go back and explain."
"Okay, okay, I'll fight now." Eric shrugged helplessly, and felt a little sympathy for this cautious president. To be honest, although he works for a film and television giant like Fox, he has A strong boss is indeed a very useless thing. Eric estimated that Frank Wells, the president of Disney who had just left, was in the same situation as William Bell in front of him. Michael Eisner and Barry Diller are both very strong guys.
When Barry Diller received Eric's call, his tone was obviously surprised. Hearing what Eric said, Barry Diller on the other end of the phone realized that he might have made a mistake. However, since things It had already happened, he had to agree with Eric's statement as if nothing had happened, and finally urged Eric with concern to prepare for "X-Files" as soon as possible before hanging up the phone.
It was already ten o'clock in the morning to see off William Bell who was relieved.
Allen knocked on the office door and walked in. Seeing Eric leaning on the executive chair as if thinking about something, he said softly: "Eric, the audition at the Fox studio must have started. Participate?"
Eric shook his head, but nodded immediately, and said, "Let's go, by the way, Alan, do you feel a little strange?"
"Which aspect?" Allen asked as he walked out of the office beside Eric.
Eric rubbed his forehead and said, "Maybe it's because I've been too tired and my nerves are tight. However, I always feel that there is something wrong there."
Allen paused, and suggested: "How about, Eric, why don't you go back and rest for a day?"
"No need," Eric shook his head: "If the heroine can be selected directly, even the third round of interviews can be omitted, anyway, it has been tossing for so many days."
The two came to the parking lot in silence. The driver of the company greeted Eric, ran down and eagerly opened the car door for Eric, Eric thanked him, and just got into the car, suddenly shrank When he came back, he raised his voice and said, "I thought of it!"
Both Allen and the driver looked at Eric with strange expressions.
Eric also realized his gaffe, and said, "Let's get in the car and talk."
After the car started, Eric told the assistant sitting in the co-pilot the intention of the two presidents, and then said: "Alan, did you find that they looked too eager to come to the door together today?"
"Urgent?" Allen thought about it for a while, and smiled: "If this kind of thing happens to me, I will also be anxious, Eric, I think you still need to rest."
Eric shrugged and didn't speak again, but the feeling in his heart still didn't dissipate, but he didn't know what happened.
…
By the time Eric arrived on the Fox set, auditions had already begun in a small studio. Eric pushed the door directly and entered the audition room. The central seat of the judges' table was empty. Eric greeted everyone and sat down in the middle seat unceremoniously.
"Miss, please continue." After sitting on the chair, an assistant handed him the information of the audition actors, and Eric nodded to the girl standing in the middle of the room who was a little at a loss because of his sudden arrival. nodded.
The woman paused, and continued her somewhat jerky performance.
Although there are many people auditioning, the audition process is not fast, there are only seven or eight people in an hour.
Another woman with a tough complexion walked out of the room and sat on Eric's left. Fox producer David Greenwalt said: "This actor named Sharon Stone is very good, not only acting She has enough experience, and her appearance meets the requirements of the heroine Dana Scully."
After David finished speaking, he looked at Eric on the right inquiringly, but saw Eric absent-mindedly lowering his head and writing and drawing on the paper. Just after Sharon Stone walked in, David found Eric A little absent-minded, and didn't even watch the other party's performance.
The man on Eric's right is Hans Whittle, who once participated in the production of the "Magic Cocoon" series, so he was hired as the producer of the "X-Files" series of Firefly. Seeing that Eric did not appear With a sound, Hans glanced curiously at the paper Eric was writing on.
"Instinct, what does this mean?" Hans Whittle asked curiously.
Eric raised his head and saw both of them staring at him, before explaining: "It's nothing, I just remembered a good script, so I got a little distracted."
The two producers were a little surprised and admired. They didn't expect Eric to come up with a script under such circumstances. However, they did not forget what they were doing, and after teasing a few words, Hans asked, "Eric, what do you think of Sharon Stone just now?"
Eric shook his head: "No."
David Greenwalt asked reluctantly: "Eric, I think Sharon Stone fully agrees with your request. Her acting skills are sufficient, her age is appropriate, and her temperament is also in line with your setting. Why not?" How about, how about we put her in the third round?" (To be continued...)