Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Former Disney Honcho Michael Eisner Gets His Own (Soon To Be Failing) Talk Show

Following in the wake of Tina Brown's failed talk show, one-time Disney honcho Michael Eisner is going to launch his own talk show on CNBC called "Conversations With Michael Eisner." Eisner claims his focus will be on creativity and innovation, but of course if he were being creative and innovative he wouldn't be launching a talk show.

It's planned as an hour-long show that will run once every two months. And if that isn't a recipe for disaster, what isn't? Not that Eisner isn't the next Dick Cavett -- maybe he is. But why is CNBC wasting its time and money on a show that will air once every other month featuring a business executive who has never conducted interviews? And who was the idiot that agreed to put an untested talent on the air when Eisner would only commit to such an awkward, unpromotable schedule? (One hour every other month virtually guarantees the show will be impossible to promote via advertising in any meaningful way -- certainly not after the curiosity factor of the debut show.)

Barbara Walters and David Frost -- people with established track records -- can get way with occasional specials. But a business guy with no built-in audience? Does CNBC think the kids who saw Eisner introduce segments on "The Wonderful World of Disney" are going to tune in? Foolish.

No comments: