American Entertainment 1982

Tommy was on his way to audition for Stephen's new movie when he got a call from Earl Rush.

BT TV's previous self-paid ratings survey results have finally come out. As a free TV network with no regional flagship TV stations and all cooperative TV stations, its performance is very good.

The audience rating of "Looking for Dad in America" ​​is 4.7.

The audience rating of "Nigger Boss" is 3.9.

Based on the Nielsen ratings of 1% for every 1.5 million viewers, 7.05 million people have watched BT TV's "Looking for Dad in America", and 5.85 million people have watched Tommy's crime drama "NiggerBOSS" specially filmed for black people.

This kind of ratings performance seems to be worth mentioning in the United States with a population of 240 million, but in fact, the three major TV networks have now known the name of BT TV Network.

Of course, some people in the industry have paid attention to the establishment of BT before, such as Jamie Crosby of FOX, but after learning that BT TV network does not have its own flagship TV station, they all regard it as a joke. It will form this kind of TV network where all the TV stations under its jurisdiction are cooperative franchises, and wait for it to close down.

But now, in their eyes, although Tommy is still a business idiot, he is not a TV amateur, because BT TV network's programs are well-produced, and each one is full of gimmicks.

The two programs "Looking for Father in America" ​​and "Nigger Boss" are broadcast in prime time, which means that when they are broadcast, they are facing competition with the signature programs of the three major TV networks and FOX TV network. Rate.

The ratings of the CBS simultaneous program are 14.3, the ratings of the NBC simultaneous program are 14, the ratings of the ABC simultaneous program are 17.5, and the ratings of the FOX simultaneous program are 15.9.

If only in this comparison, BT TV Network is definitely a small player. What really made the TV industry notice the existence of BT TV Network is the late night time slot.

The audience rating of "Wife Swap Game" was 12.3, and the audience rating of "Almighty Gun Changer" was 9.1, both breaking nine.

The same period of CBS is 6.7, the same period of NBC is 7.1, the same period of ABC is 8.1, and the same period of FOX is 8.6.

CBS and NBC's late-night shows have low ratings, largely because the two networks' viewers tend to be middle-aged and older viewers, who typically go to bed after watching prime-time shows.

Before the establishment of FOX, ABC was the king of late-night programs. For the two major TV networks, ABC has done a lot of optimization of its own late-night programs for young people who like to stay up late. The vast number of American teenagers on the small movie channel broadcast some marginal youth love movies and give out benefits.

This also allowed it to maintain a late-night viewership rating of over nine before the establishment of FOX. However, with the establishment of FOX, ABC was immediately picked off the late-night throne, because FOX is more unscrupulous, and ABC only broadcasts some youthful love Movie?

FOX directly broadcasts movies with unexpected dew points due to "inadvertent editing".

The FCC issued fines for FOX’s inadvertent editing all the year round, but FOX insisted that they would rather pay the fine than lock young people’s eyes on their own channel. In popular sayings, FOX is a typical LZ good guy among American teenagers.

Such a shameless practice has also allowed FOX to gain honorary titles such as "Immoral TV Network", "R-Rated TV Network" and "Underage Prohibited TV Network" in the United States.

And now, the throne has changed in the middle of the night, and a new king stepped on the old man's bones to ascend the throne?

Moreover, BT TV network seems to have a completely different style from FOX. FOX TV network belongs to what young people want to see, and immediately arranges for them to see what they see, such as falling in love, going to bed, kissing and so on.

BT, on the other hand, pays more attention to voyeuristic desires and teenage fantasies. In the program "Wife Swap Game", although the two heroines are black and white, their bodies and appearances are good enough, which definitely satisfies many young people's fantasies about mature women, and it is easier Let them fantasize about what happened to themselves after such a mature and beautiful woman moved into their home.

"Almighty Changing the Gun King", as a popular science program broadcast late at night, is even higher than FOX's popular science program "Tempting Love" which aims to help young people understand the world of two people, which surprised many people , and at the same time very annoyed, why didn't I expect to come up with such a firearms science program that improves young people's hands-on ability.

The most important thing is that the two late-night programs of the BT TV network have no violations. Unlike the FOX TV network, which needs to pay regular fines, because BT's programs have no dew points and no bad tendencies. All viewers feel that these two programs have bad tendencies. BT There are 10,000 reasons to tell them that it is your own wild imagination, and our original intention of producing the two programs is very pure.

"Wife Swap Game" is an ordinary family reality show. Through the appearance of a new mother, it shows the audience a different family life from before.

"Almighty Gun King" claims that in order to improve the self-defense ability of the family, it has invited special firearms experts to give guidance on how to improve the power of common old firearms, so that housewives or elderly people feel more secure when they are alone at home.

The whole world knows that it is impossible for housewives and the elderly to wake up in the middle of the night to watch such a popular science program. This is a small weapon class specially opened for young people, and it can also collect advertising fees from weapon dealers or gun shops.

"If a criminal wears protective equipment comparable to body armor, how can we scare him away with a pistol." This is the first issue of "Almighty Gun Changer", and the host introduced the current issue at the beginning of the program.

It's a one-sentence summary, simple and succinct, but absolutely practical, short of telling studious viewers how to deal with police with pistols when they're looking for trouble in body armor.

Moreover, in the latest issue of "American TV Watch" magazine, TV critic David Fanny published an article commenting on the FOX TV network. One of the paragraphs specifically mentioned the BT TV network that has just started broadcasting:

"Whether it is political leaning or program style, FOX TV network is conservative and criticized by the industry. It is different from the three major TV networks. It tries to attract young audiences with vulgarity, excitement and personality, trying to make itself popular among young audiences. Everyone knows the anti-traditional label, and young people in our country are flocking to the anti-traditional label. Those who are condemned should support it, and those who are banned should try it.”

"FOX realized that they got the ratings password to win the attention of young people. Although the ratings of most of the time are still far behind the three major TV networks, everyone believes that with this password, FOX has become the fourth largest TV in the United States. The Internet is only a matter of time."

"Because it is impossible for the three major TV networks to abandon their own styles and audiences to blindly block the FOX TV network, they continue to speak harshly and criticize FOX at industry conferences, but they cannot really hit FOX in terms of ratings."

"Until I finished the manuscript, I saw a newly launched BT TV network recording and broadcasting program. This is a TV network that tells everyone from the name that it mainly targets black people. First of all, I want to give my opinion. This TV gateway Daji will happen sooner or later. There are big problems in its management and business operations, which are not discussed in this review. My opinion is that if it can last for a while, it may greatly delay FOX becoming the fourth largest. The speed of the TV network, because a large part of its audience group overlaps with FOX, this is the existence that can really hit FOX, and the method of subdividing the audience of BT TV network also provides the TV network to the three major TV networks. The industry's new competitive landscape idea, that is, Lingchi divides FOX's ratings."

"BT TV network, in my opinion, is smarter. Viewers cannot attack its vulgar programs from a legal point of view. It won't receive FCC fines every week like FOX, but the perception makes me feel better than FOX's programs. It feels more exciting."

"If the style of the NBC television network is gorgeous and gentle, the style of the CBS television network is traditional and deep, the style of the ABC television network is fun and innovative, and the style of the FOX television network is vulgar and spicy, then it has just started and is destined to be short-lived. BT Network, the style label is sharp and outrageous."

"It's not a bad thing for the three major TV networks to have one more shameless competitor in the industry, at least now that they have nothing to do with FOX, absolutely not."

Tommy was sitting in the back seat of the car, listening to Earl Rush on the phone talking excitedly about the news he had collected from the BT TV network.

Earl Rush was excited for a reason, although he knew that he was just a passer-by on the BT TV network. If the BT TV network really grows, sooner or later, more professional talents will take over from him to take care of it. Because of his identity and connections, the president just took care of Tommy for a while. When he finds someone to take over, he will continue to embark on the road of politicians, but at that time, he will rely on BT TV network, a powerful weapon of public opinion.

"So, when are you going to acquire a few TV stations in big cities as your flagship TV station?" Earl asked Tommy after talking about the outside world's views on BT: "When some magazines call to invite interviews, they also asked the question."

But the answer Tommy gave in the next second left him dumbfounded:

"BT TV has no plans to acquire or form its own regional flagship TV station in the last two years."

"Are you crazy?" Earl Rush asked in disbelief.

BT TV can gather more than 100 cooperative TV stations in the United States to join and form the so-called BT TV network. It does not mean that this TV network is really a TV network. Understand that if you want to stabilize the structure of the TV network, BT TV must at least have its own sub-TV stations in at least five to six major cities as flagship TV stations.

The role of these five or six flagship TV stations is to ensure that even if other cooperative TV stations in the area break their contracts and no longer cooperate, BT TV stations can still guarantee a certain ratings in the local area, and will not be completely kicked out of the area.

The three major TV networks and FOX all operate in this way, and not only wholly own a few flagship TV stations, but also hold shares in more than a dozen TV stations with high ratings, and arrange their own professionals to operate and manage them. Finally, the TV networks The bottom layer is the affiliated TV stations that have joined together.

If Tommy does not follow this kind of operation and wholly acquires a few large TV stations as flagships, and does not hold more than a dozen TV stations to take over the operation, but only relies on more than 100 cooperative TV stations to maintain it, as the comments say, it will definitely close down. .

First, BT TV station is completely unaware of the advertising revenue status of cooperative TV stations in various regions. Even if the other party breaches the contract, BT may be difficult to detect. For example, a TV station broadcasts BT's self-made program, but during the period, it secretly inserts an advertisement received by its own TV station. and so on, and even use yin and yang contracts with advertisers in the region to bypass BT's share. For example, BT learned that the TV station charged 100,000 yuan for advertising, but the TV station signed another 1 million contract with the advertiser privately, and BT could not detect it. , it can only be shared with the TV station according to 100,000 yuan, and 1 million goes into the account of the cooperative TV station. If you have a local TV station in which you own shares and understand the local advertising market, the cooperative TV station will not dare to engage in such small tricks.

Second, the ratings of the cooperative TV station are faked. Once the contract is about to expire, the cooperative TV station will inevitably falsify the ratings in order to obtain the maximum benefit in the renewal negotiation. This is almost everyone in the industry. The TV station can use its own ratings data to infer how much water the other party’s data gives, easily expose the other party’s lies, and can also increase the confidence in the negotiation. That is, I own a self-supporting TV station in this area. Slowly looking for a partner, anyway, even if the ratings decline, it is within the acceptable range.

Third, although it is unlikely to happen, if FOX or the three major TV networks are really going to kill Tommy's BT TV network, it is very easy, that is to negotiate with more than 100 cooperative TV stations of BT TV network, no need All refuse to renew the contract. As long as 30% of the cooperative TV stations refuse to renew the contract, it will be enough to cause a chain reaction, causing a large number of cooperative TV stations to wait and see and delay the contract renewal. If you can't see it, it will naturally close down.

"My money is invested in the news network, which requires a lot of money, so I don't have much money to buy TV stations recently." Tommy held Ottilia in one hand and the phone in the other, looking at the scenery and the scenery outside the window. The girlfriend next to her said in a relaxed tone.

"Don't think I don't know, Tommy, I also have some contacts in California. I heard that your friend named Stephen, relying on his family contacts, is borrowing money from a bank under the California consortium for you." Hearing Tang Mi said he had no money, and Earl immediately opened his mouth to expose:

"You are not prepared to invest your own money at all, I don't care if you are willing to pay, Tommy, I just want to say that BT TV must have its own TV station, otherwise all the cooperative TV stations will treat us as idiots, Bargain with us, and if a competitor attacks, there is nothing we can do to fight back."

"Ear..." Tommy laughed when he heard Earl's sullen voice: "You are a lawyer, don't get too into the drama, don't really think of yourself as a practitioner in the TV industry, those TV stations want to take advantage, casual, self-made I will continue to pay for programs, purchasing programs, personnel expenses and other expenses, but I will not use the money to acquire TV stations, just develop cooperative TV stations."

"Why?" Earl asked puzzled.

Tommy cleared his throat: "Because I'm not here to make money, I'm here to realize the value of life."

"There is still a difference between realizing the value of life and being an idiot in the industry, Tommy." Earl felt that Tommy's words were an insult to his lawyer's IQ.

"You are black, Earl, why I chose you, don't forget, don't let the temptation of money lose your heart, you have to learn to resist temptation." Tommy didn't give an answer, just finished a sentence, and hung up. Cut off the phone.

...

Hollywood Vine Plaza, Taft Building.

It wasn't until Otilia went to see the stars on the street outside the main entrance of Taft Building that Tommy took her into the twelve-story building built in 1887.

Stephen is definitely not a filmmaker in Tommy's mind, but he absolutely believes that to most people in Hollywood, Stephen must be a filmmaker, because this guy's company is located in the Taft Building, and small companies are not located in the Taft Building. Here is the courage and strength to open an office.

Since the golden age of American movies, all well-known Hollywood production companies have set up offices in this building.

What Ottilia went to see specifically were Charlie Chaplin, Audrey Hepburn and other stars who walked out of the Taft Building and stayed in Hollywood. They were just outside the main entrance of the Taft Building.

Regardless of whether Stephen's filming is professional or not, the posture shown is very bluffing.

When Tommy and Ottilia entered Stephen's "Made in Heaven" film company, Zoe had already arrived. At this time, she and Stephen were in a creative studio, and she was specially notified to communicate with the character prototype to ensure a deeper understanding of the role played The cast of the new movie chatted.

There are only three actors here today, one man and two women, the man is responsible for playing Tommy, and the woman is responsible for playing Zoe and Otilia.

Other actors arranged another time due to different schedules.

"Otilia, long time no see." Zooey saw Tommy and Otilia appear, got up from her seat, quickly walked over to hug Otilia, and said in surprise.

She'd seen Tommy before at David's wedding, but Otilia was seeing her again for the first time since their breakup at summer camp.

"You don't seem to have changed, you are still as charming as before." Zooey let go of Otilia, looked at the female teacher back then, and said with emotion: "Five years have left no trace on you, Otti Leah."

Otilia happily responded to Zooey: "You have changed a lot, Zooey, you were a delicate and quiet doll back then, but now it looks like, although you are still beautiful, you have an independent female personality. charm."

Stephen stood up lazily at this moment, and introduced Tommy and Otilia to the three actors who got up at this moment: "The ones who came in just now are Tommy and Otilia, yes, the protagonist Tommy and his instructor , What you are seeing now is a horror plot that does not exist in the movie script. The high school student finally lives happily with his female teacher. In order to avoid stimulating the high school students, I promise not to put this plot on the big screen. "

At this time, Tommy and Ottilia also walked towards the three actors who got up.

Walking in the front was a young man with a dark brown porcupine head, wearing simple jeans and a T-shirt, with a sunny and refreshing smile. He reached out to Tommy and Ottilia: "Hi, I'm Matt Dillon , call me Matt."

Tommy and Ottilia recognized each other without the other party introducing themselves.

"Wow~ Matt Dillon." Tommy reached out and shook his hand, and said in surprise: "I thought Stephen would invite a star, but I didn't expect you to appear and play Tommy Howard." Ke? To be honest, the way I bullied those nerds in high school, and my good friend Dennis lost his virginity, were all inspired by your movies."

Tommy is absolutely telling the truth. Even though Tom Cruise is popular now, many young men and women in their twenties to thirties still firmly believe that Matt Dillon is the real young American idol.

In the eyes of most young people, Tommy Cruise will only trick everyone into joining the army, and Matt Dillon will tell you what it means to be charming.

In 1979, Matt Dillon started filming. Most of his roles were very cool and fashionable troubled teenagers in the eyes of his peers. In the movies, he tricked nerdy classmates, asked his beloved girl to go camping to find a chance to bid farewell to virgins, etc. The operation affected a large number of Tommy, Dennis and Pam, his peers.

Even when Matt Dillon became a big hit with "The Little Godfather" in 1983, today's Tom Cruise can only play tricks in that movie.

"It's not the first time I've heard this kind of thing." Matt Dillon said with a smile when he heard Tommy say that he was influenced by the movie he starred in to bully his classmates.

The second blond woman who came over was Tommy's old acquaintance, Diane Lane, whom the two had met frankly long ago.

Her hair was actually not as dazzling as Otilia's, and it seemed that she had dyed it recently.

"Diane Lane?" Otilia shook hands with Diane in surprise: "My God..."

She turned her head to look at Stephen: "Stephen, thank you for inviting Diane Lane to play me, wow..."

Tommy doesn't know that Stephen cast Matt Dillon because he doesn't care who plays him in a bad movie, but he knows that Diane Lane is going to play Ottilia, simple as that. The price of making a lot of money from this guy, Stephen, is signing with Susan's agency.

Therefore, she is considered Tommy's own person, even if she is not as beautiful as Otilia, Tommy doesn't mind.

Compared with Otilia's face full of surprise when she saw her, Diane Lane was full of embarrassment when she looked at the woman named Otilia in front of her.

Tommy Hawke made himself fuck him while helping this beautiful woman in front of him with a phone speech.

She thought it was the most bizarre and exaggerated thing she could encounter, but she didn't know until today that shamelessness has no bottom line.

That jerk let himself play his girlfriend in a movie.

When Diane Lane heard the news, her first reaction was that it would be great if there was a sequel. She wanted to see which woman played herself to help Tommy when the girlfriend she played called Tommy.

It's best to let the woman in front of her see how shameless her boyfriend is.

Compared to what Otilia said to Diane Lane in surprise, Tommy simply smiled and said nice to meet you, Ms. Lane. Then he set his sights on the last woman.

That's the object of his attention, the actor who plays Zoe Winters, Sandra Bullock.

"Hello, I'm Tommy, Tommy Hawk." Tommy smiled as he stretched out his hand to the woman in front of him.

Sandra Bullock smiled and held out her hand: "I'm Sandra Bullock, hello, Mr. Hawke."

After the pleasantries, everyone sat down and chatted around the script created by Stephen. Otilia and Zoe, Stephen talked about many interesting things during the summer camp, and the three actors also raised some questions about the roles they played.

When Tommy was still thinking about how to chat with Sandra Bullock, he did not expect that the other party took advantage of Matt Dillon to go to the bathroom, sat across from Tommy, and asked with a smile: "Mr. Hawk? Can I ask Do you have a question?"

"Of course." Tommy sat up straight in surprise, looked at the other party, and made a gesture of invitation.

Sandra Bullock glanced at Stephen, Zoe, Ottilia and Diane Lane who were talking not far away, and asked Tommy in a low voice: "Matt Dillon, Diane Lane Well, there are other stars who will audition for this movie, so I specifically asked Mr. Stephen Bean why I am here, I mean my resume is not competitive with those people .”

"How did he answer?" Tommy asked while carefully polishing the formed puck with an ice file.

Sandra observed Tommy's movements, and said slowly: "I accidentally asked him the answer, saying that I was selected by Tommy to play Zoe."

"He's so honest." Tommy let out a breath without denying it. He fumbled the puck and put it in a wine glass. He went to the small bar to mix a cocktail and brought it to Otilia. Wipe your hands and sit back in front of Sandra Bullock:

"How is your father? Say hello to him for me."

When Sandra heard Tommy mentioning her father, she frowned slightly, and then said something that Tommy's pupils shook:

"He passed away."