University.
Rich Frank, Partner, Prospect Park
Rich Frank is one of entertainment industry's most accomplished and creative leaders and has a stellar record as a visionary in adapting to change and creating new entertainment business models. In his role as Partner, Prospect Park, he oversees the vision and execution of programming and content across multiple platforms for the company’s media and production businesses.
Frank served as President of Walt Disney Studios from 1985 to 1994, and during that time helped transform a family oriented company into a global force in entertainment. He led Disney from last to first in film box office market share and successfully launched the company into interactive media. In addition to film, Frank was responsible for the worldwide production, marketing and distribution of all Disney television entertainment including network, cable, syndication, home video, TV animation, interactive entertainment and The Disney Channel. Frank oversaw more than 4,000 employees and under his leadership studio revenues grew to greater than $4 billion annually. In 1994 he was named Chairman of Walt Disney Television and Telecommunications.
Frank led Disney in their domination of television, producing shows such as "Home Improvement," "Golden Girls," "Ellen" and twenty other television series, and drove Buena Vista, Disney's syndication arm, to unprecedented growth with successes such as "Regis & Kathy Lee" and "Siskel & Ebert." When Frank elected to leave Disney, the studio had 10 prime time series on the air each week in addition to three hours a day of animation. During his tenure the following blockbuster films were released: "Pretty Woman," "An Officer and a Gentleman," "Dead Poet's Society," "Father of the Bride,“ "Good Morning Vietnam," "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" .
Prior to Disney, Frank created the Paramount Television Service, the predecessor to the Fox Television Network. He was elevated to President of Television for Paramount Studios where he oversaw development and production of "Happy Days," "Laverne and Shirley," "Mork and Mindy," "Cheers," "Taxi“ and "Family Ties," among many other series, miniseries and movies. His worldwide responsibilities included all television production and global distribution including cable and home video. While at Paramount, Frank led the formation of the USA Network.
Frank also served as Chairman and CEO of Comcast Content and Communications (C3), which he founded with industry giant Comcast. While there he engineered Comcast’s control of E! Entertainment Television from Time Warner in a deal that brought in Disney as a partner and netted Comcast a gain.
Frank is currently Vice Chairman of the American Film Institute (AFI ) and held the position of President of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmys) for 6 years longer than any person in history.
MIKE LANG Producer & Strategic Advisor to Prospect Park
Mike Lang is an accomplished executive with experience at both large media companies and entrepreneurial organizations.
Since 2010, Mike oversaw one of the most successful studio turnarounds of recent time as Miramax’s Chief Executive Officer. With a 700 film library including “Chicago”, “Good Will Hunting”, “Pulp Fiction”, “Shakespeare in Love” and “The English Patient”, he was named CEO in late 2010 when Miramax was acquired from Disney.
Mike took the company from zero employees and low expectations, to a world-class operating team generating over $175M in annual profit and $400M+ in new multi-year license deals with such players as Netflix, Lionsgate, Hulu, Sky, Studiocanal, Lovefilm/Amazon and Facebook.
While there, Mike focused on the global and digital sectors of Miramax, as the International department will soon be 50% of the Company’s total revenue and digital sales increased by 250 times.
Mike also led the re-establishment of the Miramax brand in new film and TV content, mining hundreds of scripts and development projects in partnership with Hollywood heavyweights Scott Rudin, Peter Chernin, Dennis Lehane, Legendary, Robert Rodriguez, Screen Gems and Lionsgate TV (“Mad Men”), as well as inking a deal with Harvey and Bob Weinstein to produce sequels to some of the better-known Miramax properties including SIN CITY 2.
Within the first year of Mike’s tenure, the Miramax investors received an unheard of $120M dividend via a debt recap that he led, laying the groundwork for ultimately an attractive return on their investment. All of this done by building a great team, with a highly focused and entrepreneurial culture centered on innovation, a requirement in today’s ever-changing media landscape.
Prior to Miramax, Mike ran Business Development and Strategy for Fox Entertainment, working across News Corp’s entertainment assets in film, TV, sports, news, cable and digital. Among his significant accomplishments at Fox was the creation of Hulu, the acquisition of MySpace, and launching several new cable channels.
Before Fox, Mike ran his own consulting firm, and in the late 90’s he was a founding executive of Internet start-up Z.com.
Mike began his media career at the Walt Disney Company working in Strategic Planning and in several operating roles.
Mike earned his MBA at the Harvard Business School, graduating with high distinction as a Baker Scholar. He is a graduate of Claremont McKenna College, where he serves on the Board of Trustees. Mike also serves on the Boards of the Greater LA Affiliate for Habitat for Humanity, the Harlem Globetrotters, and video game developer Foundation 9.
Suds Obits
MORE TRIBUTES ROLL IN FOR PAUL RAUCH!
As previously reported, my friend and TV hero, Paul Rauch, who helmed my favourite soap opera of all time, ONE LIFE, along with ANOTHER WORLD, TEXAS, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, and GUIDING LIGHT died two weeks ago. More sympathies have come pouring into UNCENSORED; and here they are:
"Paul knew how much I adored him and appreciated him as a person, a professional and an artist because I’d put it all in a letter to him during his recent time as producer of Y&R. Everyone loved him and loved working with him, he was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by so many. "
— Sharon Case, Y&R
“I am so saddened by the news of my friend Paul's passing. Paul was my favorite boss of all time and there were many! He insisted on perfection with an iron fist and I respected that in him. To make Paul laugh was always a thrilling accomplishment in my day! When I heard of his passing I had such a hard time believing it, because Paul was one of those people you thought would live forever! I will miss you my friend....”
—Kim Zimmer, GL
Ditto that business.
SOAP THOUGHT OF THE WEEK…
Prospect Park
…. The production company should be called Prosturing Park Studios? Not anymore!
News & Views
SOAPILEAKS
This Week’s Hottest News, Gossip, and Reviews!
DAYS OF OUR LIVES, GLOBAL/NBC — DAYS GETS LAID…. OFF!
• Is this a sign that DAYS is being cancelled? Let’s hope not! Crewmembers for NBC's DAYS will have to pack their bags on December 31. According to THE BURBANK LEADER, over 175 entertainment industry employees in Burbank are set to be laid off— including DAYS production staffers!
NBCUniversal reportedly issued 50 layoff notices, which are set to go into effect on the last day of the year. The National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, Communications Workers of America, Local 53 has filed grievances against NBCUniversal as a result of the layoffs.
GENERAL HOSPITAL, CITYTV /ABC — Dancing With The Frisco!
• Is Jack Wagner finally coming back to GH? Count on it, sources close to the actor tell UNCENSORED. In fact, expect Frisco’s return to happen sooner rather than later. Yep, that means more Kristina Wagner and Kristen Storms! And they say the world ended yesterday!
• There is God. I have to convert to Christianity. Steven Lars is no more. At least in the form of Scott Reeves, one of the most seemingly homophobic actors on daytime. Reeves tweeted that he has been let go from GH.
I wish no ill will towards Reeves. In fact, I concur with DAYTIME CONFIDENTIAL’s Jamey Giddens, that Reeve
s play Taylor’s brother, Zack Hamilton, on B&B! Make it happen! That means we can get a reboot of Heather Tom and Reeves together onscreen! And we know how much Bradley Bell loves absorbing fired Y&R actors. Now if we can only get rid of that annoying brat Missy Reeves on DAYS, I’d be happy.
Shhh!
SOAP OPERA MYSTERY HOUR
This week’s hottest blind items!
• Which soap superstar HATES her on-screen sibling?
The Idiot Ratings
NIELSEN MILK: Dec. 10-14
Winners: Y&R, B&B, GH, and DAYS Soar!
Loser: Brian Frons!
Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
—Courtesy SOAP OPERA NETWORK
Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,372,000 (+193,000/-93,000)
2. B&B 3,258,000 (+196,000/+238,000)
3. GH 2,657,000 (+119,000/+262,000)
4. DAYS 2,369,000 (+90,000/+136,000)
Households
1. Y&R 3.3/11 (+.1/same)
2. B&B 2.4/8 (+.1/+.1)
3. GH 2.0/6 (+.1/+.2)
4. DAYS 1.8/6 (+.1/+.1)
Women 18-49 Viewers
1. Y&R 804,000 (+92,000/+7,000)
2. B&B 667,000 (+121,000/+105,000)
3. GH 610,000 (+1,000/-36,000)
4. DAYS 549,000 (+45,000/+21,000)
Women 18-49 Rating
1. Y&R 1.3/8