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Dear David Zaslav

Nikki McKim — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 20:06:08 +0000

I am but one lowly reporter working in a field that men like you are going to eventually destroy, so you’ll never read this, you’ll never see this, but I feel that after years of promoting Turner Classic Movies in my paper and on my website, I owe it to myself and my readers to address what’s happening right now.
The “layoff” of Genevieve McGillicuddy, Charles Tabesh, and Pola Changnon, among others, is one of the most vile things I’ve witnessed in my years of reporting-and I had to report from a rally where I was harassed and called “fake news” repeatedly.
I sat in the second row during this year’s Turner Classic Film Festival for the screening of The Big Chill. I’m sure you don’t know this since you left after walking the red carpet the first night, but this film was the big closing movie. The cherry on top of the sundae, if you will.
During that screening, Ben Mankiewicz told a story about a woman who shared with him how much the network helped her after the Boston Marathon bombing.
“We’re just a TV channel, and the world has a lot of problems. But I want you to know from the top down. From our boss, who some of you met Thursday night, he was here, David Zaslav, all the way down to all five of the hosts and every executive of the channel, every producer, production assistant, and director we have that we take this job seriously because we know it matters to you,” said Mankiewicz.
Ben thanked those who helped get the festival together, like Genevieve McGillicuddy, who was there in person, and Pola Changnon and Anne Wilson, who also contributed so much.
“See you all next year at our 2024 Classic Film Festival, our 15th or even sooner on our TCM Classic Film Cruise in November.”
Many of us felt it was lip service, not by Ben, but by you to Ben, however, we still hoped another festival meant another few good years of TCM on our television screens.
We couldn’t imagine we’d be here only a few months later.
Nothing I can do or anyone can do will sway your mind from destroying something that so many hold so near and dear.
But let me tell you a few things about TCM.
I can remember the first film I watched on TCM, can you?
I can remember where I was, what the room looked like and how I felt, do you?
I remember seeing Wuthering Heights my first time on TCM. I was sitting in my living room as a young mom. It was sunny, the windows were open, and it smelled like fresh-cut grass as my baby sat in his bouncer watching the movement on the screen.
I remember the night I watched He Who Gets Slapped for the first time on Silent Sunday Nights. I was in bed, my TV was on my dresser, I was facing south and my bedroom smelled like apples.
Those films had such a massive impact on my life that I remember everything about the first time I saw so many of them.
TCM is more than just a movie network for a great many people.
It’s a lifeline.
It’s a connection.
It’s a community.
I can say for myself that TCM has been there when I’ve been sick, when I gave birth, when I’ve been depressed and couldn’t get out of bed, when I was worried I might die from Covid, when I sat and watched my grandmother die, and most importantly when I needed to strengthen the relationship with my father.
Because of TCM, we discovered we have a shared love of classic film. We can sit together and spend hours discussing what Ben said in an intro to a specific movie, what I will do at the next festival, or what I got to do at the last festival.
The fans who attended the festival and cruise are not the only fans of the network.
I write a little column in a little newspaper in a little town, but the feedback I get from so many people across the country about how much they love the network is staggering. These people of all ages look forward to certain times of the year. Each winter they look forward to the Christmas movies they only get to see on TCM. In August, they get Summer Under the Stars, when they’ll discover new favorite actors because of a day dedicated to that actor/actress. And in February and March, 31 days of Oscar, when they’ll see the greatest films of all time for one perfect month.
Ted Turner, Robert Osborne, and all the staff at TCM have built a personal relationship with millions of viewers, and in the blink of an eye, it will be destroyed.
I know this is all about money-isn’t it always? But you have no idea the magnitude of this decision and how it hurts so many people, old and young.
I know you won’t be affected by this in any way. It won’t bother you. It’s another business decision, a horrible one at that. That little channel you hilariously said was always on in your office, that channel gives some of us hope and an escape from the hell of today’s world. The greed in people like you, nastiness, and death we see daily in the news. We get that escape through TCM, and now, just like we feared, you are taking it away and hiding behind “business decisions.”
Regular people like my readers and I are the people you should be catering to; we are losing a friend who’s been there for us through all the bad times and some of the best times of our lives spent sitting by the Hollywood Roosevelt pool with people we love watching the films we need. Those have been some of our best days because we can’t fly off to whatever island we want whenever we want. We save all year to gather together for our shared love, classic film and TCM. Do you know how that feels?

I’d like you to understand how important TCM is to us and how it has been a constant source of comfort and joy. It’s essential to have something to rely on during good and bad times; TCM has been that for us. I hope that TCM continues to provide that for us and that we continue to enjoy fantastic films with the people we love.
It’s important to acknowledge that our investment in TCM is significant in terms of money and time. We expect that our investment will be respected and that your decisions will reflect a deep understanding of the value of curation and movie history. We hope you act on this understanding and show that you genuinely care about preserving film history and our bond with fellow fans, the films and the employees of the network.
I’m passionate about my work as a reporter and the impact of Turner Classic Movies on my readers and community. I’m hopeful that the quality of the channel, the staff and the festival will continue to thrive and that the network will continue to produce quality content that matters to people.
I wish you felt the same way.

#SaveTCM

By Nikki McKim

The post Dear David Zaslav appeared first on THE FALLS CITY JOURNAL.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) welcomes you to a world of cinematic magic and nostalgia during the TCMFF

Nikki McKim — Tue, 23 May 2023 16:31:37 +0000

Photos and story by Nikki McKim

For four unforgettable days in Hollywood, I was transported to a world of cinematic magic and nostalgia at my favorite event of the year – the Turner Classic Film Festival.
It’s been a month since I returned from the highly anticipated event that promises one-of-a-kind programming “set within the theme ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet: Celebrating Film Legacies.'”
At this annual event, film enthusiasts from across the globe gathered to connect with other movie lovers and industry insiders, engaging in lively Q&A sessions and thought-provoking panel discussions with actors, directors, and other film professionals.
The historic Blossom Room inside the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel provided a stunning backdrop for the Welcome Media Reception held on Wednesday afternoon. Pola Changnon, the General Manager of Turner Classic Movies, kicked off the event by introducing the five hosts of TCM – Ben Mankiewicz, Eddie Mueller, Alicia Malone, Jacqueline Stewart, and Dave Karger – who would be leading the Festival’s exciting programming over the next four days. As the event began, guests mingled and enjoyed refreshments while taking in the glamorous surroundings of one of Hollywood’s most legendary venues. Changnon commented how getting the five hosts together is a rare treat that happens maybe once a year at the Festival.
During the event, each host shared what they looked forward to the most. Eddie Mueller expressed his excitement about interacting with movie enthusiasts. ‘It’s the absolute best thing about the festival,’ said Mueller. “I know the fans love something about the Roosevelt Hotel is that it has the slowest elevators in the world. So then when you’re in the elevator, it’s like, you’re getting to spend quality time with the hosts., But seriously, I’m looking forward to seeing the fans. The movies are all great, but the fans are a total experience.'”
Jacqueline Stewart also expressed her excitement for the fans but added that seeing Donald Bogle win the Robert Osborne Award was amazing. ‘You know, his work has been directly influential on my research.’ said Stewart. ‘His book Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks, which is 50 years old, It’s the foundation for black film study, so he’s the perfect person to honor, and I’m excited.
Dave Karger shared that he was looking forward to an event he was hosting. ‘The first movie I ever saw when I was five was Grease. I was Didi Conn looking at Frankie Avalon as the Teen Angel singing Beauty School Dropout. So the fact that I get to introduce Beach Party starring him and Annette Funicello at the poolside… I’m going to hold it together. I’m really looking forward to that,’ said Karger.
Alicia Malone was excited about an event she would attend as a spectator. ‘I’m really looking forward to seeing Ben’s conversation tomorrow night with the legendary Angie Dickinson. And also hearing from Steven Spielberg and Paul Thomas Anderson, two of the best filmmakers working today who have already directed classic films,’ said Malone. ‘I think it really speaks to our “Where Then Meets Now” tagline because you have Angie talking about Rio Bravo, and then you have Spielberg and PTA talking about the “now” and the future of the movie with film preservation. And this guy [Mankiewicz] is always fun and funny to watch.'”
Mankiewicz said he agreed with Stewart, but he came to Bogle differently. ‘I think I’ve interviewed Donald on the air more than any other person, and his passion for these movies comes across. Every conversation I have with him reminds me of something we talked about the last time. So I was touched that we decided to give him the Robert Osborne Award, and I’m thrilled to be a part of that ceremony. I’m definitely looking forward to it,’ said Mankiewicz.”
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and was initially launched in 1994 as a joint venture between Turner Broadcasting System and MGM.
The network has also adapted to changes in the media landscape by offering streaming options and other digital content, which has helped to keep it relevant and accessible to viewers. TCM has built a loyal and dedicated fanbase online through Twitter and Facebook, with groups of fans who gather to watch films together under the hashtag #TCMParty. Overall, TCM should continue to be a significant player in the world of classic cinema for many years to come.
This year’s TCM Film Festival celebrated Warner Bros. turning 100 years old in 2023.
Founded on April 4, 1923, by brothers Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack Warner, the company has become of the largest and most successful film studios in the world, producing many iconic movies and TV shows, including Gone with the Wind, The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. Warner Bros. has a rich history in the film industry. The studio was the first to develop new technology and released the first talkie, The Jazz Singer, in 1927.
In May 2021, Warner Bros. announced that it would merge with Discovery Inc. to create a new media company that would be among the largest in the world. The new company, which is expected to be called Warner Bros. Discovery, will bring together some of the most iconic brands in entertainment, including Warner Bros., HBO (now Max), CNN, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and TLC, among others.
As the CEO of Discovery Inc., David Zaslav has expressed a strong commitment to the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving and celebrating the rich history of the media industry. TCM is widely regarded as one of the most critical and influential brands in film and television. Zaslav has expressed his admiration for TCM and its role in preserving classic films and has said that he is committed to continuing TCM’s legacy. I expect classic film fans, especially TCM fans, to hold Zaslav to that commitment.

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