Description
This enlightening book about the television business and the Broadway stage tells the story of the creation of many hits during the last thirty years on platforms as wide-ranging as HBO, HBO Max, NBC, Fox, Showtime, CBS, and more. Be a fly on the wall during the casting of "The X-Files," the creation of "The Sopranos," the birth of "Beverly Hills, 90210," the explosive launch of "The Voice," the magic of "This Is Us," or the debut of television's first new live musical in fifty years, "The Sound of Music Live!" which attracted nearly 20 million viewers, and so much more!
Robert Greenblatt, a television executive who began his career in broadcast television at the Fox network in 1989 and rose in the ranks to the chairmanship of NBC and HBO, pulls back the curtain on the development and launch of countless global hits, including a departure to Broadway for the debut of "9 To 5 The Musical" with composer Dolly Parton. This is a fly-on-the-wall look at the inner workings of the creative process of shows that have delighted audiences the world over for three decades. Greenblatt's childhood and origin in rural Rockford, Illinois, is an inspired part of the journey too, proof that making it in the entertainment business — getting to the "big time" — is possible no matter where you come from.
If you're interested in a career in Hollywood, or simply curious about how these successes were made, this is the book for you.
Here's what readers are saying:
"I loved your book. And I'm certainly glad to know you enjoyed the whole [9 to 5 The Musical] experience. The greatest part of it was that we got to know each other. Just wanted you to know it's a great read, and I was really honored that you spoke so highly of me."
— Dolly Parton, composer of 9 to 5 The Musical
"Bob has written a breezy, earnest, name-droppy stroll though the past 30 years of television, told via chapters on hits like Six Feet Under (he produced), Weeds (he greenlit), and The Voice (he oversaw), all written from the perspective of a small-town theare geek who ended up running a bunch of TV networks during transformational times. Greenblatt is kinda like the Where's Waldo of the Peak TV era."
— Matt Belloni, Puck
"Greenblatt's book is an invaluable compendium of anecdotes about his experiences in the TV trenches. He brings the dual perspective of a seasoned industryite who has worked as a top programming buyer for major networks as well as a producer of Emmy-winning series."
— Cynthia Littleton, Variety
"This should be required reading for every TV course in college and every trainee and intern hoping to break into the business. I love the Rockford network of theatre friends and professionals intersecting throughout your entire career. Loyalty is such a rare trait and you have shown it repeatedly."
—Kevin Beggs, Chairman, Lionsgate Television
"Your book is so wonderful! Your unique creative journey, unending optimism and fun memory is extraordinary. What a career you've had (so far!)."
— Brian Roberts, Chairman, Comcast NBCUniversal
"This book is smart, penetrating, honest and, as far as I can tell, remarkably accurate."
— Dick Wolf, Producer
"The X-Files stories, the Aaron Spelling stories, the 90210 development, those early days at Fox…and also the high school stuff!!! It's all really fascinating, juicy without being bitchy. Definitely among the best books I've read about the TV industry!"
— Jess Cagle, The Jess Cagle Show, Sirius Radio
"You have had an amazing and productive career; it's rather mind-blowing to read all you have done and achieved and imagined. I was very lucky that our paths crossed."
— Michael Hirst, creator of The Tudors and Vikings
"Working with you has been a high point of my career, and I was thrilled to learn what being Bob Greenblatt felt like from the inside, during these eventful and triumphant years."
— Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age