About
"As a television executive, it's important to listen. I've heard secretaries come out with some of the most profound observations on projects that all of us have missed. They'll say something and I'll think, 'They're right! I never thought about it that way.'"
In his four-hour interview, Dick Askin talks about his early days as an account executive at WNBC in New York, dealing with local shows like Not For Women Only. He describes his transition to KNBC in Los Angeles where he served as director of sales before transitioning over to Fries Entertainment where he distributed the acclaimed made-for-television movie, The Burning Bed, among others. He recalls his time at Samuel Goldwyn Television selling American Gladiators, and discusses his time as president and CEO of Tribune Entertainment, distributing shows like Geraldo, Family Feud, Earth Final Conflict, and Andromeda. Askin outlines his time as chairman of the Television Academy (2003-2007), where he made efforts to clean up the Emmy nominations process and to bring new media into the fold. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on April 1, 2013 in North Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Dick Askin on selling the made-for-television movie The Burning Bed to advertisers
Dick Askin on Family Feud
Dick Askin on Geraldo Rivera's talk show
Dick Askin on selling American Gladiators
Dick Askin on becoming Chairman/CEO of the Television Academy
Dick Askin on how he'd like to be remembered
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his favorite television shows growing up; on his first job in television
On the early days of cable television; on becoming an account executive at WNBC in New York; on the local WNBC show, Not For Women Only
On what he learned at WNBC; on becoming National Sales Manager at KNBC in Los Angeles
On the clients he served at KNBC in Los Angeles; on going to work for Fries Entertainment
Chapter 2
On selling the made-for-television movie The Burning Bed to advertisers; on becoming Vice President of Domestic Sales at Fries Entertainment; on the emergence of cable television
On moving over to Samuel Goldwyn Television; on American Gladiators and Rollerball
On syndicating American Gladiators; on the legacy of American Gladiators and the evolution of the concept
On various other shows he sold for Samuel Goldwyn Television
Chapter 3
On his leadership style; on his contributions to Samuel Goldwyn Television; on moving over to Tribune Entertainment
On helping to grow Tribune Entertainment; on working with Geraldo Rivera on his talk show
On Tribune partnering with other entertainment companies; on Tribune Studios
On Soul Train, Family Feud, Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda
Chapter 4
On Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda; on Mutant X; on becoming Chairman of the Television Academy
On the changes he brought to the Television Academy; on the mission of the Academy
On the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; on getting the Syd Cassyd Award; on his proudest accomplishments at Tribune
On then-current projects; on advice to aspiring television executives; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
American Gladiators
Dick Askin on selling American Gladiators
Dick Askin on the success of American Gladiators and the short-lived series Rollerball
Dick Askin on the local stations and American Gladiators and how syndication works
Dick Askin on the legacy of American Gladiators and the evolution of the concept
Burning Bed, The
Dick Askin on selling the made-for-television movie The Burning Bed to advertisers
Earth: Final Conflict
Dick Askin on Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda
Dick Askin on Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda
Dick Askin on marketing Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda
Family Feud
Dick Askin on Family Feud
Geraldo
Dick Askin on Geraldo Rivera's talk show
Howdy Doody
Dick Askin on choosing projects as Vice President of Domestic Sales at Fries Entertainment
Dick Askin on choosing projects as Vice President of Domestic Sales at Fries Entertainment
Mickey Mouse Club, The
Dick Askin on his favorite television shows when he was growing up
Topics
Advice
Dick Askin on advice to aspiring television executives
Emmy Awards
Dick Askin on the Television Academy's mission to honor excellence
Dick Askin on the importance of the Emmy brand
First Big Break
Dick Askin on his first job in television
Pivotal Career Moments
Dick Askin on his first job in television
Runaway Production
Dick Askin on the establishment of the Runaway Production committee at the Television Academy and new media
Television Industry
Dick Askin on cable television encroaching on local broadcasting in the '80s and the programming he sold at KNBC
Dick Askin on advice to aspiring television executives
Dick Askin on the establishment of the Runaway Production committee at the Television Academy and new media
Professions
Executives
Dick Askin on his leadership style
Dick Askin on advice to aspiring television executives
Television Executive
Dick Askin on his leadership style
Dick Askin on advice to aspiring television executives
Genres
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Dick Askin on selling the made-for-television movie The Burning Bed to advertisers
People
Samuel Goldwyn
Dick Askin on various other shows he sold for Samuel Goldwyn Television
Geraldo Rivera
Dick Askin on Geraldo Rivera's talk show
Gene Roddenberry
Dick Askin on Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda
Dick Askin on Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda
Dick Askin on Gene Roddenberry's legacy
Ryan Seacrest
Dick Askin on selling the series Gladiators 2000
Barbara Walters
Dick Askin on the local WNBC show Not For Women Only