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Sunday, July 20
Great to join all of you! I have always admired the users of this chat board despite what others have said! I always wanted to try and make it part of the show but Rod Zimmernan would not buy us a computer!
I would like to clear some things up:
When they first forced me to sign a 5 year deal for $1.5 million a year, I tried to talk them down but they insisted I take the money, so I did. I knew it would prevent them from signing other talent and doing some other things, but they insisted, so I signed the deal and accepted their checks.
Then they asked me to broaden the audience of the show by talking politics and other general topics. Once again I tried to persuade them to stay all sports, but they insisted this show was the way to go. If anything, I am a company guy and I went with the CBS execs on this one. I knew I was not capable of such intelligent dicussions but they assurred me I would be a perfect fit for it.
As I wanted to have a sports co-host from the station who was knowledgable about sports and would voice his opinion, CBS once again forced me to accept Anne Maxfield as my co-host. This was something I tried to put my foot down on, but they said if I did not take Anne as a co-host it was breaking the terms of my contract. Once again I felt trapped. I had zero control of my own show.
The next strike by CBS management was the producer of the show. They forced a producer from WGN, Steve Goffman (it was so long ago and I just did not want the guy on the show, I really forgot his name) on me. I knew this was going to be a problem as he had some of the worst ideas I have ever heard. The Real Estate Game, Mike's Rants, Fred's Movie Reviews and then everything was that crappy, "Of the day bit". He even sat in a meeting and tried to tell us that Reading Email is something we can count as a segment of the show.
After a few years the show was not working and CBS management came in and replaced Anne and Steve with some unpaid interns! 23 and 24 year old kids! I was about to walk out the door in protest of this move, but I needed to support my family, so I remained in the position despite my many objections.
The 24 year old , former waitress, was made 'Executive Producer" of my show! How much more sabotage could CBS force on me! Then they made the 'say nothing' news/update guy who's favorite sport is Soccer as my new sidekick. I complained and complained, asking for a sidekick that stepped up and had some original thoughts, but they insisted Fred was in for good!
Over the past 2 years, the constant interference from management regarding no remotes, no contests and forcing me to talk about the music of the 1960's as if more than 10% of our listening audience liked it really was the final straw.
The new contract offer of $750,000 a year was an insult to me. Imagine if you make $48,000 a year and they offered you $24,000 for your new contract? Would you leave too?
Plus once again they wanted me to keep my team in tact when all I wanted to do was make enough changes to improve the show. This was just not going to be possible.
Since my last day at the Score I have had numerous offers in the entertainment field. I am just waiting for the right offer, but I can assure you that each was a very generous position.
Your friend, Pappy
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