Farewell Address, the Rerun

Frankly, I'm starting to feel like Sophie Tucker on one of her innumerable 'final appearance' tours. No one ever told me that the mantle of leadership was made out of flypaper.

But as I trundle off the stage, I am also aware that departing players are often allowed a curtain speech and I see no reason why I shouldn't take advantage of the time-honored custom. As one leaving the position of Caucus Chair, an opportunity is presented: an opportunity to be as direct and candid as I can, feeling no need to couch points in the diplomatic manner required by one maintaining a position in office. I'll take advantage of that opportunity in the following way:

Any reality-based assessment of my term of office would reach the conclusion that I came up a buck or more short in terms of fulfilling the implied mandate I was originally given. That mandate boiled down to a charge to reinvigorate the Caucus, reconfigure it in such a way as to make it matter now as it once had in the past. In addition to that was the need to enlist a younger profile of membership, especially in the area of half-hour show runners. Efforts were made, plans initiated, programs undertaken. While some progress was made, no one could call it substantial enough to stem the growing perception within the industry that the Caucus was a pleasant and well meaning group which lacked a fire in the belly to really address in any meaningful fashion the problems confronting the television industry. We had made a course correction, but the vessel was by no means turned around. Part of that was inertia, part the established cast of players, and some of it my responsibility.

Enter the V-chip and the Valenti ratings group.

This issue struck me then, as it strikes me now, as the issue the Caucus could legitimately confront in such a way as to establish us once more as a meaningful element that needs to be taken into account. My own personal take was that the Caucus should oppose the ratings system in as forceful a manner as possible, fight that fight even though reasonable estimates would define it as a fight we would lose.

This stand garnered a plurality only slightly higher than a Charlie Manson parole fundraiser.

Accordingly, I took part in person and via telephone in a number of ratings system meetings, representing the Caucus in the structuring of this horse designed by a committee. After some time passed, a vote was taken of the Caucus membership seeking to determine which one of three positions offered ought to be the official Caucus position. (It occurs to me that I just misspoke. The entire Caucus membership was asked to vote on such a question. The overwhelming majority chose not to.)

This led to a position with which many disagreed. So strong was the degree of their disappointment that some opted to resign membership, saying that only a new election on the matter would bring them back. Let the following be stated as clearly and simply as possible: the election met all constitutional requirements to be valid and binding. If the membership chooses to petition for a new election, then that option exists. But it only exists within the membership. Those who have left have forfeited their right to pressure or complain. Many did not take part prior to their resignations. Lack of taking part in their present mode will be seen as no major change. I myself would offer the thought that it might be viewed as a culling of the herd.

One of those who resigned posited that in so doing, they had given Caucus leadership the ideal tool with which to redesign the organization into one that mattered. I think that point to be correct and insightful. There is reason to hope that this upheaval, painful and traumatic as it's been, will be the wake up call which can energize many of our membership who prefer to go with the flow and worry about the next deal, the next reality-based embarrassment. If that group can be made to see that we affect not only our industry but the very society in which we live, then possibly there's a chance for us to stretch and grow, and rediscover the caring passion that once filled the veins of this body with vitality. Only in this way will we have any chance at bringing back into the Caucus those who threw up their hands in despair.

That's not what a "show of hands" is all about.

Exit sighing.

(Editors note: to Bill Blinn, from the entire membership of the Caucus: a salute for a job well done!)