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Three Burning Questions About 'Undercover Boss'
In my cubicle world days as an IT guy, I always wondered if upper management would have a much different picture of what went on among the rank and file if they just took some time to come to the office and do what we did. So the premise of the new CBS reality series 'Undercover Boss' intrigued me; a CEO goes undercover to work with various employees to see what really goes on where the rubber hits the road.But after three episodes (and seeing the preview of the fourth), a few troubling questions have come up that make me wonder if this show is going to be as illuminating as originally thought:
1. Why so many food service companies? Of the five episodes already scheduled, three involve food service companies (Hooters, 7-Eleven and White Castle). I know these companies have more manual-labor, entry-level jobs than a technology company might have, and seeing the CEO of 7-Eleven struggle to make coffee is fun to watch, but the formula is going to get a little boring after a while, isn't it?
TV Squad Soap Report: No experience necessary
Executive experience. We've been hearing an awful lot in the media lately about what constitutes executive experience and how important it is when a person gets the chance at an important position. Well, you know what I've learned while watching soap operas? Experience is overrated. Anyone can be a CEO or mayor or run a company, it's easy.Take Donna on The Bold and the Beautiful. Until recently, Donna was a model. She used her beautiful body, great features and dazzling smile to show the finest in Forrester Creations. Now, due to her husband's heart attack which resulted in a coma, Donna has taken over the company and appointed herself CEO. It doesn't matter than Donna's never designed a thing or knows how to mass produce, market and distribute a clothing line. Never mind that she couldn't balance her checkbook let alone the bottom line of an international fashion business. Because she had Eric's power of attorney, she took control of the company. Executive leadership was something that she absorbed from Eric, right? Like osmosis or transference. Yeah, right.
Reports say Jeff Zucker will be named NBCU's CEO this week
Both the AP and TV Week are reporting that Jeff Zucker, currently the CEO of NBC Universal's television group, will take over for Bob Wright as NBCU's overall CEO, with an announcement to be made sometime this week.This means that Zucker will oversee a pretty sizable entertainment conglomerate, which owns the network, the television production arm, and the Universal movie studio and theme parks. Wright was supposed to stay on until the end of the year but made the move after his boss, General Electric chairman Jeff Immelt, insisted he do so; he will remain as Chairman until the transition is completed.
Tom Freston resigns as Viacom CEO
According to TV Week, Tom Freston, president and CEO of Viacom, Inc., resigned from the comapny today. He was replaced as president and CEO by Philippe Dauman. No reason was given for his resignation.Remember that earlier this year, CBS split off from Viacom, with Les Moonves heading up the broadcast TV, radio, and billboard businesses (CBS, Inc.) and Freston heading up the cable networks and the Paramount studio (Viacom, Inc.). Freston's place in television history is significant, since he co-founded and developed MTV during the formative days of cable. He also came up with the famous "I Want My MTV" ad campaign of the early eighties. So his association with the network is a long one (MTV is owned by Viacom). No word on what his next move is.
Tom Goes to the Mayor: White Collarless
(S02E04) Tom Peters may be a man who's "full of ideas" but he hasn't held down many jobs. This becomes a problem when he finds out one of his stepsons is having a career day at his school where parents come in to talk about their occupations. Tom decides to pay the Mayor a visit with a fruit basket consisting entirely of bananas, and he slips his resume in for good measure. Tom's resume flashes on the screen for only a few seconds, but his list of "jobs" includes such things as being a spokesmodel for chronic nocturnal emissions ("An illness I know all too well"), his ill-fated job as vice mayor of Hoboton, and his stint as a voluntary zoo guide (it felt like real work).
Tivo gets new prez
Tom Rogers, who has served as Vice Chairman of the Board at Tivo for two years, will take over as President and CEO in July to replace co-founder Mike Ramsey. Rogers has a slew of media experience under his belt, including time spent at NBC. The new president plans not to attend board meetings, but instead he'll Tivo them so he can skip over the boring parts. Thank you, I'll be here all week.
[via Lost Remote]
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