Dumbest TV Biz Mistakes

From election-night snafus to the WGA strike
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 29, 2009 6:00 PM CST
Dumbest TV Biz Mistakes
Janet Jackson and Justin Timerlake at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston. "Wardrobe malfunction" entered the lexicon.   (AP Photo/David Phillip)

It’s been an embarrassing decade for TV networks, as the Hollywood Reporter proves with its list of the aughties’ biggest industry mistakes:

  1. Hollywood writers’ strike: It was unnecessary and “mutually destructive”—and for viewers, “has there ever been a longer 14 weeks?”
  2. ABC’s rejection of CSI: The show has scored $6 billion for CBS and prompted spurned producer Jerry Bruckheimer to walk out on Disney.

  1. Janet Jackson’s “nipple slip”: The infamous “wardrobe malfunction” cost CBS $550,000 in fines.
  2. MyNetworkTV: Its plan to show only “English-language telenovelas” failed; now it’s dominated by syndicated shows and reruns.
  3. Election 2000: Florida was called for Al Gore, then for George W. Bush, then went undecided. "We don't just have egg on our face," said anchor Tom Brokaw. "We have an omelet on our suits."
  4. Jay Leno: NBC's decision to move him to 10pm is looking shakier by the day.
For the full list, click here.
(More television stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X