A panel of four prominent television media members joined together on Wednesday to discuss the life and work of Fred Silverman.
Silverman is the only person to ever have been in charge of programming at all three major television networks – ABC, CBS, and NBC.
The panel, entitled “Profit and Progress: The Legacy of Fred Silverman,” consisted of George Schlatter, Marcy Carsey, Bill Small, and Robert Thompson with SU alum Rob Owen acting as the mediator of the discussion.
From producing to directing, writing to founding, the group had seen the ins and outs of the television industry.
Silverman was amazing at scheduling and strategy the panelists said. He would cancel shows before anyone dreamed they should be over.
Silverman’s approach to programming television shows was to “keep it short and keep it moving.”
The panel also discussed the differences between television now and television during Silverman’s time.
Everything is about sex now and networks can’t use racial humor without complaints from viewers, George Schlatter said.
“People are jumping in and out of bed like it’s a trampoline,” Schlatter said.
Meetings with Silverman were always one-on-one, unlike today’s large executive meetings.
Silverman always supported you, the panel said. Whether you were right or wrong, he was always on your side.
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