The Last Great Ride - Hardcover

Brandon Tartikoff

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 039458709X ISBN 13: 9780394587097

Publisher: Random House, Inc., 1992

Synopsis

The brain child behind the success of NBC Entertainment gives an anecdotal look at network television with stories about the making of such hits as "Cheers" and "The Cosby Show"

About this title

About the Author

Brandon Tartikoff is chairman of Paramount Pictures.

Reviews

This account of Tartikoff's tenure as head of programming at NBC-TV from 1980 to 1991, during which time the network rose to and retained top ratings, offers primarily a string of "and then I developed . . . " stories. Tartikoff was responsible for NBC's airing of The Cosby Show , Hill Street Blues and The A-Team , among other highly successful series, and here, with freelance writer Leerhsen, he tells how he did it. Tartikoff provides particularly interesting material about the projects that were pitched to him by figures as notable as Marlon Brando and Frank Zappa, most of which he rejected, and about his relations with such industry tycoons as mentor Fred Silverman and MTM Productions wizard Grant Tinker. Tartikoff also tells of his mistakes, including the quickly-cancelled shows Manimal and Pink Lady and Jeff , plus his rejection of an opportunity to invest in the development of the chubby-faced Cabbage Patch Doll. His memoir chronicles significant TV history, but its scattershot style is off-putting.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From 1980 to 1991, Tartikoff was the head of programming for NBC-TV, during which time the network rose from third to first in the ratings and garnered dozens of Emmys, thanks to programs like The Cosby Show , Hill Street Blues , and Miami Vice . This breezy memoir emphasizes anecdotes involving personalities as diverse as Marlon Brando, Julie Nixon, and Mr. T. The title refers to the author's belief that the heyday of network TV has passed, thanks to the inroads made by cable, independent stations, and the VCR boom. Without sounding self-serving, the author does come off very much unlike the neurotic, tyrannical type associated with network TV. Recommended for most public libraries. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 11/1/91.
- Thomas Wiener, formerly with "American Film"
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House, Inc.
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 039458709X
• ISBN 13: 9780394587097
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 223