The perfectly coiffed woman on the screen smiled into the camera. “A golden boy strikes again.”
“A legend mixes it up with TV’s number one boy toy,” Her equally plastic co-host said.
“And those aren’t even the headlines on today’s Showbiz Now!” An announcer proclaimed as the iconic theme song kicked off the graphics.
Clare grabbed the clicker and started changing channels. “Doesn’t this town know there’s something else going on in the world besides themselves?”
She gave up and reached for the French pastry by her bedside. “Mmmm, gotta love Napoleon.” She sighed licking chocolate and cream off her lips. She leaned back on her pillows and savored every bite.
“We turn now to our analyst Reed Harlowe…Reed, thanks for being with us today.”
“Thank you, Montana, it always good to be here.”
“So what’s your take on the bold moves at HRT?”
Clare rolled her eyes, but realized she had no choice. She sighed and stuffed her mouth full again.
“For years the network seemed to be out of the race, languishing further and further behind. After seeming complacent for the bottom of the heap, suddenly HRT is making the world sit up and take notice.”
“Ratings have been inching up, most attributing the small spike to new cover boy Ian Justyn.” Montana added
“True.” Reed agreed. “But the industry as a whole paid little attention, knowing a charismatic headline maker does not a network make, but HRT and Justyn seem to be out to prove they are not only in the game, but determined to take back the kingdom they created.”
“Go, Ian!” Clare pumped her fist in the air. “Whoop! Whoop!”
“What’s the run down Reed?”
“Nothing is official yet, but insider’s say that Justyn pulled off several coups that have the other networks trembling. First and foremost, HRT secured the rights to all three books in the “Blood Kisses” trilogy, so hot every studio in town has been gunning for the properties since the first book topped the best seller list six years ago.”
“Any word as to what they plan to do with it?” Montana asked, reading from the teleprompter.
“Rumors are running the gamut, but no definite word. As usual, “Blood Kisses” author Amanda Jackson isn’t any where to be found, but her camp confirmed that the deal has been made.”
“Why HRT, Reed?”
“Two words.” Reed looked at Montana. “Ian Justyn.”
“Whoop! Whoop!” Clare said. “Bring home the bacon, baby!”
“Justyn is proving himself to be more than just a Hunka Hunka HRT not only capturing the prize “Blood Kisses” flag, but also snagging new free agent and television’s hottest sex symbol Jeff Torkelson for a series starting this fall.”
“Quite a score for someone ABC’s president recently scoffed was a pretty little flash in the pan no one would remember by fall.”
“And what a score it is Montana, our insiders tell us that apparently Torkelson is only half the package. Comedy icon Tess Sinclair is coming out of retirement to co-star in the series said to already be guaranteed a full season.”
“Who the hell is Tess Sinclair?” Clare turned up her nose.
“HRT will formally announce the series, and most likely intentions for “Blood Kisses” at a formal press conference next week.” Montana confirmed.
“We’ll have to wait until fall to see if the power moves add up to big ratings, but the rumors themselves have already sent the other networks scrambling.” Reed looked back to the camera. “It would seem that HRT do nothing else to keep the town from talking more about them, but they have one more shocking secret slipping out.”
“What else could they do?” Montana feigned excited shock.
“Once again, nothing has been confirmed, but we have it on good authority that VP Jack Tolan has been let go.”
“Hasn’t Tolan headed up the television division since the mid 80’s?”
“Tolan has been with the company all through its golden age, stepping into the top spot when the network seemed unstoppable, but the big hits stopped coming. In the era of cable and pay network HRT is trying a new direction and obviously feel Tolan is no longer the man to guide it.”
“Any idea who’ll be taking over?”
“For the time being David Turner, the man who built the network from the ground up will be taking over the reins.”
“And Ian Justyn?”
“Yeah, what about my Ian?” Clare said sucking the sticky off her fingers.
“Justyn is said to be moving up quickly, assuming the title Director of Development and Promotion, a position newly created just for him. Our insider says the position is a thinly veiled prize to keep Justyn from jumping ship while he’s being groomed to take over the reins of the network.”
“So if his moves turn into rating’s success…” Montana encouraged.
“By this time next year, HRT will hand him the keys to the kingdom.” Reed finished.
“Remember you heard it here first on “Showbiz Now”. In other news…”
“Oh yeah!” Clare sighed. She looked around her. “Make lots and lots of money, Ian ‘cause when the time is right, Mama’s gonna get it all.”
Clare stuck her tongue out at the TV and laughed. She reached for another Napoleon and chowed down.
No comments:
Post a Comment