5 comments about Desperate Networks : Starring Katie Couric Les Moonves Simon Cowell Dan Rather Jeff Zucker Teri Hatcher Conan O'Brien Donald Trump and a Host of Other Movers and Shakers Who.

1. I loved this book. Bill Carter is the best in the world when it comes to reporting the behind-the-scenes machinations of network television. He obviously had the extensive cooperation of Les Moonves, Jeff Zucker and other important players. As a result, you get rich, turn-by-turn accountings of such thrilling events as how 'Survivor' was born and how 'Desperate Housewives' made it to the screen. Carter captures the seminal moments when 'Survivor' and 'Housewives' creators Mark Burnett and Marc Cherry (respectively) finally break through, each overcoming very long odds. It's spine-tingling stuff.
   
   'Desperate Housewives' is simply superb reporting from Bill Carter. Anyone with an interest in finding out how creative product goes from vision to reality will devour this book. It clocks in at a little under 400 pages...I'd be willing to read 800 pages of material like this from Mr. Carter.



2. Bill Carter has spent years covering TV for the New York Times and in order to keep his inside sources, he needs to kiss up to them. This book is filled with inside stories gleaned from the first five years of the new millennium and some of the stories are interesting. But the writer has the bad habit of using over-the-top adjectives about the network bigwigs he is covering. The bigger the person in power, the bigger the superlatives used to the point of it being laughable.
   
   In the end CBS chief Les Moonves, who is called "genius," comes across as inept and power-hungry. Once the writer's bias is stripped away the real story here is that those in charge of network TV have no clue how to program hit television shows. In virtually every case of a major success, the network leaders initially scoff at the program but then take credit when it becomes a hit. And none of these rich, elitist programmers seem to know what mainline American viewers want to watch.
   
   Bottom line--the book has interesting stories for those who are addicted to how networks program prime time. But the author's writing style is stilted and lacks credibility. There are a number of factual errors and the reader should beware that what is presented as fact is actually the author's filtered view of an industry that he needs to kiss up to in order to keep his job.



3. Having devoured Carter's 1994 book The Late Shift (a fascinating story of the Leno-Letterman late night TV battle) when it was released, I can safely say he's done it again w/this fascinating glimpse inside the 4 networks and the decisions that helped shape primetime TV in recent years...especially fascinating are some surprising facts revealed along the way, such as how:
   
   - CSI was nearly passed up by CBS in favor of a detecive dramedy called "Homewood PI", which was to star Tony Danza
   - The "results show" on American Idol was created out of necessity so all viewers could vote (its UK equivalent, Pop Idol, is able to tabulate all votes immediately after the show airs b/c the country's entirely contained within one time zone, unlike the States)
   - Julia Louis-Dreyfus was considered for the role of Susan on Desperate Housewives
   - Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire, had it not turned out to be one of Fox's biggest fiascos, would've become a franchise that included a sequel, a "reverse" version that had a wealthy bride picking from a series of prospective grooms, etc.
   
   All told, a great read for anyone who wants to know more about the ever-changing face of primetime TV and the backstories of current hit shows!



4. This book is a great insight into not only the network television industry as a whole, but also provides a very interesting look at the history of your favorite television networks and shows from the past few decades.
   
   This book focuses on the lives of the heads of the four respective networks. Even though they were names that most have never heard of, they are the ones responsible for deciding what we are going to watch on television.
   
   A great read for people like myself who have no knowledge of the behind the scenes workings of network television.



5. Since I don't watch a lot of TV and have only watched one of the shows the book focuses on (heard of most of the rest of them though), I didn't expect to enjoy it nearly as much as I did. However, it was a fascinating read of the inner workings of the television business.
   
   It's written very well though one must question how the author obtained the information to say "so-and-so thought X" since he describes rather minute details of people's reactions and inner thoughts. I'm not sure he he did numerous interviews and then wrote them all up in a narrative or what but regardless, I took some of it with a grain of salt but enjoyed it all nonetheless.
   
   It gives a good portrait of the minds of TV executives: they seem to be a hard hearted, shamelessly greedy, and self-absorbed bunch. When I watch TV now, I feel like a pawn in their game as what you're seeing on TV is not so much the idea of a writer as it is a pandering to advertisers.

3 comments about Branding for Profit (Audio Business Course).

1. An excellent branding tutorial. I thought the workbook would be silly filler but it was actually very helpful and was more like taking a course instead of passively listening to the audio. The workbook really does help build a brand and I learned from the audio the importance of building a brand. As a result I am now rethinking my entire product launch. I want to do it right and start with a strong brand that I can use to maximum effect. If you want advice on something, ask someone that has achieved what you want to achieve, who doesnt want to achieve what the Donald has? Dont forget to pick up other books for even more indepth knowlege but if this is the only one you get, you will be doing great.



2. Look, I've listened to hundreds of audio tapes and CDs for many years. I have the entire collections from Trump to Brian Tracey to Earl Nightingale.
   
   This is my favorite audio CD. I have alreadcy listened to the entire program 3 times and it was well worth it. I haven't even touched the multimedia CD yet. It's very educational and done so well. I want a sequel!



3. Excellent. LIstened several times, did the workbook. Explains clearly what underlies the superficial aspects of your brand (logo, image, etc.). Takes you through the step-by-step process of what makes you special and unique. Essential for any person or business selling services or products that are intangible or complex. Do you have a hard time explaining what it is that you actually do ... in a few seconds? This will enable to do that with clarity and elegance. Highly recommended.

No comments about CRAZY BILLIONAIRES SPEAK: Motivational quotes by billionaires on success, business and life.

No comments about Trump The Art Of The Deal -.

4 comments about Lessons from the Apprentice: Secrets to Success from the Boardroom to the Business World (Official Book).

1. I got into "The Apprentice" about half-way into the first season and have been hooked ever since. There are so many dynamics going on in the show (such as short term goals, i.e. winning the assignment; relating to team members; and of course dealing with The Donald, and his side kicks George and Carolyn), that makes it compelling viewing all around. Don't underestimate the Donald's factor. For proof, check the oh-so-lame new Martha Stewart Apprentice show.... boring!!!
   
   "Lessons from the Apprentice: Secrets to Success from the Boardroom to the Business World" (176 pages) is a high-end, glossy page book that takes you back to the first 3 seasons of "The Apprentice". While the book is structured to offer "lessons", it really is a fun look back of what worked and what went horribly wrong in the teams various assignments. With 20-20 vision, many of the mistakes that the losing teams made were so obvious (Ivana dropping her pants to "sell" chocolate bars? Danny's "Triple Play" act to get people into Burger King? etc.). There are plenty of pictures and quotes from the Donald, George and Carolyn, but also from the various business executives whose company products were on the line, and in that sense, yes, the book offers lessons.
   
   In the end, though, this is an irreverent look back at the first three seasons of "The Apprentice", and a good one at that. In a way, it reminds me of the 3 (so far) Simpsons books that "dissect" the episodes. If you are a fan of "The Apprentice", you will love this book!



2. It's difficult to believe that the first Apprentice "interview" was aired on January 8, 2004. Donald Trump's signature table smack, pointing finger, and "You're fired!" pronouncement seem to have been in our cultural memory far longer. And you don't have to be a fan or avid watcher of the program to be familiar with it.
   
   "Lessons" follows the format of the typical television show commemorative paperback. It's got full-color photos and two episode lists that detail the tasks, project managers, team members, rewards, fatal errors, boardroom callbacks, and firees of the first three "seasons." But of course, it offers much more than a mere superficial episode recap. The bulk of the book is organized by chapters that focus on the various aspects of business that were represented by the tasks: product development, sales techniques, leadership, time management, boardroom survival, etc. Each chapter uses Apprentice examples, both good and bad, to make a point. The pages are liberally decorated with words of advice from Donald, Carolyn Kepcher, and George Ross, as well as Marilyn DeVries, Linda Sawyer, RuthAnn Fry, Gene Simmons, George Steinbrenner, and Alan "Ace" Greenberg. The result is glitzy and not quite as in-depth as the analysis that was posted weekly on the NBC Apprentice web site during the third "season" (analysis that is shamefully missing from the current fourth "season" web page). These examples and recommendations provide interesting food for thought and a trip down memory lane for those of us who have watched every installment.
   
   Copies of this book are destined to show up at yard sales and used book sales in a few years, but "Lessons" provides moderate enjoyment in the meantime. True Trump devotees will want to hang on to and savor their copies a little longer.



3. I gave this book two stars because the book was a little boring and dragged on in some areas. The best information was in the margins and the quotes not really any of the information in the book. I have read: Carolyn, Bill, and Amy's books and I want to give this one a try.
   
   This book is truly for The Apprentice TV lover but if you are looking for business advice this is not the book for you.



4. For me, this book is the best of the lot. I've browsed Amy and Bill's books, read Carolyn's, and Trump: The Way to the Top...skipped Donald's real estate primers because...I'm not interested in real estate. And I have to say--this "workbook" taught me A TON about business basics, and plane old personal success. I think some of us need to hear "Grab life by the horns and give it everything you've got"... and, HOW exactly to go about doing that. This book hits the spot.
   It's all about examples from the show, and I don't know about you, but I learn from examples best. It's not nostalgic, it's just basic business lessons...ones that I am surprised most business people don't follow.
   Like, for example, Why it's important--and How to be a good listener during--brainstorming sessions. "Notice the body language and look on Bill's face when Katrina came up with dumbass ideas in season 1"...Well, ok, it doesn't exactly say that, but...you know what I'm saying. I actually used this in my department and was shocked at the good it did. My CFO has no idea The Apprentice is part of the reason our production budget is slashed by a third now.
   As corny as it sounds, my recent promotion from mail room to management is, in part, due to this corny workbook. --I say corny because, um, there's an entire page dedicated to a color photo of George's face. That's just creepy.
   --Funny. But creepy.
   
   I think this book is for people who like emotional attachment to what they're doing, examples spelled out for them, and lots of pep talks.
   
   I also reccommend Carolyn 101.

No comments about Suenos En Concreto: Lecciones de un billonario en el mundo del desarrollo.

No comments about How To Speak and Write Correctly.

1 comments about How To Build a Fortune.

1. The only real value in this product is the E-book guide that comes with it which has real actionable information and ideas. The audio CD's are nothing but a sales pitch and hint at information given in other courses that was actually supposed to be in this course according to the back of the box.

No comments about Think BIG and Kick Ass in Business and Life LP.

1 comments about Trump: Los mejores consejos de bienes raices que he recibido: 100 Expertos comparten sus estrategias.

1. The tips that they give you are short (page to a page and a half), but to the point. After the first 10 minutes of reading I was already learning new stuff.