Chapter 276: Premonition
Chapter 276: Premonition
After seeing Frank Wells off, Eric invited Fox Television president William Bell into his office.
“William, how has Fox Television’s performance been lately?” Eric sat down on the office sofa and did not immediately ask why William Bell had come. Instead, he brought up Fox Television’s current situation.
Hearing this question, William Bell grew slightly excited. Although Barry Diller was the true head of Fox Television, as the number two, William Bell had also been enjoying great success during this period because of Friends. With Friends, Fox Television’s rise had gained powerful momentum. In the past, he had felt unable to hold his head up even in front of general manager-level executives from the three major networks. Now, even when facing the chairmen of the three major networks, William Bell could stand tall.
“Very good, Eric. The season finale of Friends aired a few days ago, and its average viewership reached twenty-eight million. The average viewership for the first season also reached twenty-three million. Without question, it will be this year’s ratings champion among television dramas. Although Friends has already finished airing, Fox Television’s fixed audience has also reached eleven million. Oh, right, we also have an animated series that achieved very good results. It’s called The Simpsons, with an average viewership of thirteen million. The company has already renewed it for a second season…”
Eric listened patiently and nodded in agreement from time to time. Only after William Bell finished did Eric ask, “Then, William, did you come to see me today for something?”
William Bell said, “It’s about the two programs, The X-Files and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Mr. Diller wants to launch production on both as soon as possible. Also, Eric, I remember the original plan was to produce the first episode of The X-Files this month. Why has there been no movement yet?”
A helpless expression appeared on Eric’s face.
Although that had indeed been his original plan, plans never kept up with changes. Because both Firefly and Fox attached great importance to The X-Files, the two producers sent by the two companies often disagreed on many aspects. They frequently had to bring matters to Eric before decisions could be made. As a result, preparations were delayed.
In addition, although the male lead of The X-Files had already been confirmed, there was still no clear choice for the female lead. It would already be good if filming could start in January next year.
However, Eric was not in a hurry. Firefly’s finances happened to be somewhat tight at the end of the year, so waiting until the revenue shares from Sleuth and Friends arrived at the end of the month before launching production on The X-Files was also a good option.
As for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, the show was very simple, so Eric was not anxious about it at all. Besides, there was still the funding issue. Although the show was simple, it still required several million dollars in investment, half of which Firefly had to provide. Because of the Cisco matter, Eric had already transferred the initial ten million dollars into the account of the investment company managed by Chris Hansen. Right now, the combined liquid funds of Firefly and New Line were no more than ten million dollars. The videotape release of An Affair to Remember and the distribution of Scent of a Woman both needed that money. Therefore, everything still had to wait until the total one hundred seventeen million dollars in revenue shares from Sleuth and Friends arrived at the end of the month.
Eric did not hide his difficulty and explained his situation to William Bell before saying, “William, as you can see, Firefly has no money right now, so our side’s funds can’t be invested in time. Besides, The X-Files is scheduled to premiere in September next year, so there is still plenty of time. As for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, it will definitely be launched together with the spring season of American TV dramas in March. For that show, one month for preparation and promotion is already enough.”
“But…” Eric’s explanation was logical and well-founded. On top of that, he also carried the identity of a “boss,” so William Bell did not know what else to say. He even did not understand why Barry Diller had insisted that he make this trip, and in such a forceful and urgent tone.
“Eric, to be honest, Mr. Diller sent me this time,” William Bell said in a sincere tone. “I think perhaps because of what happened when Friends premiered and was nearly snatched by the three major networks, Mr. Diller is worried something may change.”
Eric smiled. “That worry is completely unnecessary, William. Firefly now owns ten percent of Fox. How could I be so without principle as to hand these television programs to someone else? Besides, we already signed the contracts. What are you still worried about?”
William Bell actually thought the same way. In the end, he could only say, “Eric, why don’t you call Mr. Diller and explain it to him personally? Otherwise, I won’t be able to report back.”
“Alright, alright, I’ll call him now.” Eric shrugged helplessly.
He even felt a little sympathy for this overly cautious president. To be honest, although William Bell worked at a film and television giant like Fox, having such a strong superior above him was indeed a rather frustrating thing. Eric guessed that Frank Wells, the Disney president who had just left, was probably in a similar position. Michael Eisner and Barry Diller were both extremely forceful people.
When Barry Diller received Eric’s call, his tone clearly carried surprise. After hearing what Eric said, Barry Diller realized he might have made a mistake. However, since the matter had already happened, he had no choice but to calmly agree with Eric’s explanation. Before hanging up, he once again urged Eric with concern to prepare The X-Files as quickly as possible.
After seeing off the greatly relieved William Bell, it was already ten in the morning.
Allen knocked on the office door and entered. Seeing Eric leaning back in his executive chair as though thinking about something, he said softly, “Eric, the auditions at the Fox soundstage must have already started. Are you still going?”
Eric shook his head, but immediately nodded again. “Let’s go after all. By the way, Allen, do you feel anything strange?”
“In what way?” Allen followed Eric out of the office and asked.
Eric rubbed his temple. “Maybe I’ve just been too tired lately and my nerves are tense. But I keep feeling that something is wrong somewhere.”
Allen paused, then suggested, “Why don’t you go back and rest for a day, Eric?”
“No need.” Eric shook his head. “If we can directly choose the female lead, we can even skip the third round of auditions. We’ve already been fussing over this for so many days anyway.”
The two remained silent all the way to the parking lot. The company driver greeted Eric, hurried down, and attentively opened the car door for him. Eric thanked him and had just gotten into the car when he suddenly pulled back out and raised his voice.
“I figured it out!”
Allen and the driver both looked at Eric strangely.
Eric also realized he had lost his composure and said, “Let’s talk in the car.”
After the car started, Eric told his assistant, who was sitting in the passenger seat, why the two presidents had come. Then he said, “Allen, didn’t you notice? The fact that they came looking for me together today felt too urgent.”
“Urgent?” Allen thought for a moment, then smiled. “If this kind of thing happened to me, I’d be anxious too. Eric, I really think you need rest.”
Eric shrugged and said nothing more. However, that feeling in his heart still did not fade. He just could not tell exactly what was wrong.
…
When Eric arrived at the Fox soundstage, the audition in a small studio had already begun.
Eric pushed the door open and entered the audition room directly. The seat at the very center of the long judges’ table was empty. After greeting everyone, Eric sat down in that central seat without any ceremony.
“Miss, please continue.” After sitting down, an assistant handed him the auditioning actress’s information. Only then did Eric nod toward the woman standing in the center of the room, who looked somewhat at a loss because of his sudden arrival.
The woman paused, then continued her somewhat stiff performance.
Although there were many people auditioning, the pace was not particularly fast. Only seven or eight could be auditioned in an hour.
After another woman with somewhat sharp features walked out of the room, David Greenwalt, the producer from Fox seated to Eric’s left, said, “This actress named Sharon Stone is very good. Not only does she have enough acting experience, but her appearance also meets the requirements for the female lead, Dana Scully.”
After David finished speaking, he looked toward Eric on his right for his opinion, only to see Eric absentmindedly lowering his head and writing and drawing on paper.
When Sharon Stone had just entered the room, David noticed that Eric seemed distracted. He had barely even watched her performance.
The man sitting on Eric’s right was named Hans Whittle. He had once participated in the production of the Cocoon series, which was why he had been recruited to serve as Firefly’s producer for The X-Files. Seeing that Eric did not speak, Hans curiously glanced at the paper Eric was writing on.
“Basic Instinct. What does that mean?” Hans Whittle asked curiously.
Eric raised his head. Seeing both men staring at him, he explained, “Nothing. I just suddenly thought of a decent script, so I got a little distracted.”
Both producers were somewhat surprised and impressed. They had not expected Eric to come up with a script even under these circumstances.
However, they did not forget what they were doing. After teasing him for a few lines, Hans asked, “Eric, what do you think of Sharon Stone just now?”
Eric shook his head. “No.”
David Greenwalt pressed unwillingly, “Eric, I think Sharon Stone completely fits your requirements. Her acting is sufficient, her age is suitable, and her temperament also matches your setting. Why won’t she work? Why don’t we put her among the candidates for the third round?”