Chapter 680: Chapter 88 Ratings Report
Kate Blanchett was indeed a special woman in Adrian’s life, blending the traits of several won. Just like Kate, she had t Adrian early on or, should we say, was ensnared by him, and she too had witnessed his rise to power. Like Gwyneth, she wasn’t particularly beautiful, with slightly sharp facial features, yet she possessed a truly captivating aura. Like Charlize, she didn’t miss a chance to throw in a few biting remarks at him whenever possible. And like Rachel and Nicole, there was a hint of masochism to her – it wasn’t long after they had gotten into bed that Adrian introduced her to anal sex, and she quickly transitioned from discomfort to enjoynt. During role plays, she also enjoyed portraying the more vulnerable, invaded person.
Although these traits alone couldn’t compare to those of other won, when combined in Blanchett, they created a unique charm. Perhaps the woman in Adrian’s mory had beco soone different, but wasn’t that even better? Training her gradually into the person she was now was exactly the kind of thing Adrian delighted in and it proved his raison d’être.
In any case, with the birth of Eleanor, Blanchett had no chance of running away anymore, although Adrian, in his pride, couldn’t help but be sowhat vexed—why another daughter? Frankly, he didn’t despise having daughters. He liked daughters; everyone knows daughters are closer to their fathers. Watching them grow up, transforming from adorable little dumplings into beautiful young ladies, was a delightful affair.
Adrian wasn’t an otaku in his forr life, although he did participate in online discussions about various topics, he never harbored so bizarre ideas. Personally, even if he only ever had daughters, it did not bother him—it’s a matter of probability, always rolling low with the dice was possible, yet it still felt a bit eerie.
“I heard a theory that everyone is a girl while in their mother’s womb, only becoming boys when the genitals descend later during pregnancy. Maybe your chromosos are XX, just that the genitals descended for so reason,” Ivanka mocked rcilessly when Adrian sighed in puzzlent.
As a child born into a wealthy family, she aligned more with mainstream societal ethics. Considering her relatively short ti in Adrian’s life, she naturally had quite a critical view of his behavior. Much like before, Adrian simply laughed it off; she would gradually co to accept it, should she end up with a swollen belly soday.
“No matter who you are, be it God, Allah, Buddha, or Haotian, if you’re determined to give only daughters, then so be it. After all, you were the one who brought here, weren’t you?” In privacy, with no one around, Adrian leaned back in his chair, gazing at the ceiling, legs crossed over the table as he spoke in an indifferent tone.
May finally arrived. “Moulin Rouge” had exceeded expectations but not by much and had its final shoot on the first Friday of May.
“Thank you, everyone. This has been a wonderful collaboration. We have all put in a lot, and this is going to be a fantastic film,” Adrian announced at the film set, marking the end of the movie’s shooting. Next would be post-production, but there was no rush since there was still over half a year’s ti left, even though he also had plans for “The Matrix.”
Then, another important matter arose by late May, marking the beginning of the sumr break, or rather its prelude—films that targeted this slot but weren’t entirely confident typically chose this ti for release. Similarly, the TV series spring season was wrapping up to transition into the offseason, with several high-rating shows concluding then awaiting to produce new seasons in the fall.
For instance, the finale of “Arican Idol” took place at the end of April at Holy Grand Hall, drawing an audience of 30 million, impressive though still not breaking “Survivor’s” record of 50 million, but in a ti of increasing reality shows, it was indeed remarkable with an average rating clearly over 25, guaranteeing the production of its second season in the fall.
On a side note, Charlize won the prior bet when the 19-year-old Lina Gini from New Jersey beca the first winner of “Arican Idol,” securing a contract with Universal Records. This was ideal as young female singers were easier to market and draw attention, and maintaining popularity for two years was enough to advertise “Arican Idol.”
Adrian was quite displeased by this, delaying his plan to take both his secretaries to bed. However, he thought, perhaps he could use the pretext of rigging to declare the results invalid? Undoubtedly, every reality show involved so rigging to ensure ratings among other issues, the only difference was the extent.
In the first season of “Arican Idol,” such involvent was relatively shallow, but next year it might have to deepen since a black champion was needed. It was a matter of political correctness, similar to how a black president in movies is never the antagonist—if ABC didn’t want to face complaints from the civil rights association, presenting a black champion was essential.
However, Adrian discarded this idea after only two minutes of consideration. He certainly could use this flimsy excuse to declare the results invalid, and Charlize could propose to start afresh, but he certainly couldn’t brazen it out.
“It’s okay, opportunities will always arise.” That was all Adrian could console himself with.
Other shows also had impressive ratings, such as “The Apprentice” and “Project Runway,” both averaging over 1,500 viewers. In terms of television dramas, “Alias” consistently maintained around seven to eight million viewers, and ABC had officially ordered a second season. As for “Two and a Half n,” there’s no need to even ntion it. Its average rating of twenty million viewers was quite prominent among new shows and even rivaled so older ones. Sitcoms were always a favorite among Aricans, and Robert Downey Jr.’s brilliant performance had swept away the negative press brought about by previous misfortune, allowing him to bask in triumph.
“I told you, Robert, as long as Robert Jr. drops those bad habits, he’s still that outstanding actor,” Adrian said at the Downey family party, patting Robert Jr.’s shoulder in front of Old Downey.
Though it made him seem sowhat beyond his years, nobody thought it inappropriate; first, there was the 73rd Oscars, then the Nielsen television ratings report had firmly established his authority in film and television production.
As a company that studied modern markets, Nielsen would publish various data annually, including viewership data for Arican television series. With the spring season ending, Nielsen naturally released the ratings report for 2000 to 2001, causing nearly all television networks and dia conglorates to gasp.
Last year, ABC had occupied six of the top ten ratings spots, surpassing NBC to beco the number one television network in Arica. This year, nine out of the top ten rated shows were from ABC!
Indeed, the ten highest-rated programs included ABC’s “Friends,” “Survivor,” “CSI,” “Will and Grace,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” and “Arican Idol”… The only non-ABC program among the top ten was NBC’s long-standing “ER,” which had built its reputation over many years.
Upon its release, the report left many people in disbelief, with so even suspecting that Nielsen, starting with the letters A and C, might have so secret collusion with AC dia. Honestly, if Adrian wasn’t concerned about certain issues, he would’ve really liked Claude to acquire it.
“The new century belongs to AC dia!” The day after the report’s release, the “New York Tis” published such a headline on the front page of the entertainnt section.
dia moguls like Rupert Murdoch, Sam Redstone, Michael Eisner, Ti Warner’s Gerald Levin, and Sony Arica’s Howard Stringer all sighed again privately, wondering how AC dia had such a phenonon or genius as Adrian Cowell. Among the nine ABC programs that dominated the top ten ratings, although shows like “The West Wing” and “The Practice” were entirely overseen by ABC, none of the highly rated programs were without Adrian’s influence.
Even soone imdiately calculated after the report’s release that at least half of Hollywood’s television production teams were working for the Miracle Director, a situation unprecedented in Hollywood that undoubtedly moved these dia giants.
“Don’t you think the young people nowadays are too much?” Murdoch casually threw out the question at a charity dinner where several dia tycoons gathered.
Unfortunately for him, no one agreed. Redstone and AC dia were allies, having cooperated extensively after their acquisition of AT&T Broadband. After the last incident, Sony Arica privately had an agreent with them, though not as closely as Viacom. As for Eisner, he currently didn’t want to provoke AC dia. Levin might have had a chance, but due to the Ti Warner and AOL acquisition case, he was facing threats of dismissal.
“Rising gloriously, that’s the phrase tailor-made for us now,” Adrian boastfully said to Claude.
Despite being ntally prepared, as he had always seen the May ratings report as another opportunity for AC dia to showcase its strength fully, he hadn’t anticipated reaching such an extent, occupying nine out of the top ten ratings spots! It was truly amazing. Had he known, he would’ve brought out more material to make all the top ten shows belong to ABC!
Since the goal was to show full strength, there was absolutely no need to act modestly and leave a spot for others.
Unfortunately, that was now just a thought; so shows still needed to be delayed. No matter how powerful they were, staying at the forefront of controversy was foolish, especially since the objective had already been achieved.
“Yes, we are very powerful,” Claude agreed, “It’s just unfortunate that we are still not up to par with them in traditional dia.”
“No problem, dear Claude, what could be more wonderful in this world than sothing free?” Adrian laughed heartily.
“Indeed,” Claude also laughed, “Once people get used to free stuff, they definitely won’t pay an extra cent for the sa thing.”
With Adrian by his side, Claude had a clearer view of the developnt of the internet, the dusk of the record industry was already dimly visible, and it was uncertain whether the physical magazines could last much longer. After mobile phones supported reading newspapers and magazines or after the ergence of tablets, traditional dia was destined to decline, and all that AC dia needed to do before that was wait.
Their reach on magazine websites was already long enough, and Adrian was well prepared too. Maxim was the best example, as the first magazine to aggressively tackle the internet, supported by AC dia, had thoroughly established its fa, though its pedigree was still less than that of magazines like People.
Between reality and the future, if one could not take care of both, then it was better to choose the future.
“You are unmatched, Ed,” Claude finally remarked, patting Adrian on the shoulder.
Indeed, there was no second person in the world who could provide most of the ideas for works in the top ten of television ratings. Even Two and a Half n was his concept, not to ntion the title of Miracle Director and his position as chairman of the board of the world’s largest dia group. Therefore, even though Robert Downey and Robert Downey Jr. were older than Adrian, they could only nod in response to his words.
“I’m glad you overca your addiction, Rob. Keep it up, I promise, you will surprise everyone,” Adrian then said to Robert Downey Jr.
“Thank you,” Robert Downey Jr. showed a grateful expression. He was sincerely thankful, although Adrian was quite strict with him, even personally telling the crew chief and his agent that he absolutely could not co in contact with any drugs or suspected drugs and monitored him going to the rehab center for treatnt.
While this seed sowhat inhumane, Robert Downey Jr. had complained many tis initially, but as the treatnt deepened, his addiction was indeed controlled. The doctors said that if he kept it up, he should be mostly recovered by the latter half of the year. Plus, the character specifically tailored for him in Two and a Half n, even nad Robert, was very charismatic. Holding his breath, he perford splendidly, not only greatly increasing his fa but also regaining many fans. For Robert Downey Jr., who had suffered much mockery and disdain due to drug use and imprisonnt, the significance was self-evident.
Although smoking marijuana was very common in Hollywood and cocaine was often seen, if one was caught by the police, made dia headlines, and thus ended up in jail, it was a bona fide scandal. Adrian had now pulled him out of the mire and hinted that as long as he completely recovered, there would still be opportunities—a promising word coming from a renowned dia mogul made gratitude inherent.
“Keep at it.” Patting Robert Downey Jr.’s arm, Adrian left as the father and son duo casually wandered around.
The Downey family party not only invited friends of the father and son; the entire cast of Two and a Half n was also brought in, as it was, after all, Robert Downey Jr.’s coback work. Thus, Adrian didn’t need to worry about not having acquaintances there, and even if there were no acquaintances, there would be so folks trying to beco acquaintances, trying every ans to get acquainted with him.
“It’s really frustrating, but in just a few minutes, five or six people ca over to greet . Don’t they know I’m talking to a lovely lady?” Adrian said in a deliberately complaining tone, and nearby, Leighton covered her mouth, her curved eyes indeed making her appear very cute.
“Who doesn’t know the na of the Miracle Director?” she said with a smile.
Adrian only provided various settings for Two and a Half n, like characters, scenes, or so concepts, and which jokes were appropriate, etc. The specific plot needed to be filled in by the scriptwriters, so like Friends, parts of the plot completely differed from the original, featuring naturally different characters.
Leighton, having outgrown her role in “Spy Kids 2,” was no longer suitable to star in the movie. Coupled with Adrian’s plans, she was given a role in “Two and a Half n,” which spanned five episodes. However, having tasted the allure of movie stardom through “Spy Kids,” Leighton was not very satisfied with her role in the TV series. Her position as the cheerleading captain was also not unrelated to the success of “Spy Kids.”
“I feel like I have more room to grow, Ed.” After a few exchanges, once they were finally left undisturbed, Leighton suddenly said.
“Don’t worry, Leighton,” Adrian, knowing her thoughts, smiled, “Trust , okay? I have a detailed plan for your future. You are safe with ; no one can hurt you.”
He looked at her very earnestly and sincerely. After a mont of eye contact, the girl involuntarily lowered her head, “I understand.”
“Well, then, I must excuse myself for a mont,” Adrian said with a slight smile, about to walk away, but Leighton called out to him, “Ed!”
She looked at him, her eyes gleaming boldly and seductively, “I’m hungry. I think… maybe we could find a place to taste so milk.”
Quite forward, and before Adrian could respond, she quickly added, “I just an eat, really.”
Really… Adrian raised an eyebrow, seemingly reaching to touch her cheek, but he didn’t actually do so, considering the crowd around them.
“Sorry, not now,” he first said, then with a shift in tone and an unfathomable smile, “How about this, tomorrow morning you spread it on a slice of bread and eat it?”
Leighton bit her lip, then lifted her chin, “It’s a deal then.”
I like these kinds of girls; they know what they want and are willing to pay the price, which makes them easy to control. Walking slowly in the hall, Adrian thought as his gaze drifted toward a column on the right. Do you think the sa?
Turning behind the column, he saw the back of a young girl, slim and relatively darker-skinned, with long black hair, seemingly about the sa age as Leighton. She kept looking outward, cautious, as if afraid of sothing, yet her hands were wrapped around each other as if to encourage herself.
“If you want to co talk to , you’ll need a bit more courage,” Adrian said warmly, smiling as he spoke quietly behind her.
The young girl nearly jumped, her body turning around in a panic, and upon seeing him, she beca even more alard, seemingly at a loss for words, “Adr… Adrian…”
It took her a good long while to finally manage, “Mr. Adrian Cowell!”
“Yes, I am Adrian Cowell,” Adrian smiled, extending his hand, “May I know your na?”
“I… I…” The young girl stamred for a while, her fox-like face slightly blushing, “I’m gan, gan Fox.” (To be continued. If you like this story, please vote for it on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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