What a rumor this is!!!!

[manning]

Found this on Yahoo Disney message board.


"According to a recent New York Post: Rampant rumors circle around that Eisner is on his way out, and he'll be replaced by Jeffrey Kaztenberg. didn't they have a big fight, or something?"

Would be nice if it was true. Not holding my breath.

[WDWHound]

Such is the stuff that dreams are made of. Ahhh, Twer only it were true.

[manning]

Well blow me down. Found this at newyorkpost.com under gossip.

August 8, 2002 -- Disney big's days may be numbered



YOU'VE read how the Magic Kingdom has lost some of its alakazam razzmatazz. How Disney stock slumped even lower than its previous low. How its earnings seem caught in some mousetrap. How its cash flow is getting a cheesy rating. That's even though the company's "Signs" and "Lilo and Stitch" are doing well at moviehouses. The prob is, Disney theme parks fell mortally wounded after Sept. 11, plus its network ABC is XYZ in programming.

OK, this you've heard. Not heard are the rumbles about Michael Eisner. Despite none of this being his fault, it's an anti-CEO environment and the vultures are already circling. Books about the Head Mouseketeer's professional demise have already found their way to publishers.

And, if you can believe, talked about as his replacement? His nemesis, the man with whom Eisner had that costly and ugly legal battle, Jeffrey Katzenberg. If you can believe.

[Sarangel]

Despite none of this being his faultHuh? I think this needs to be addressed... I feel (as do many of us) that much of it *is* his fault. Perhaps the writer hasn't been following Disney much.

Sarangel

[airlarry!]

I am really curious to hear about what our resident flies-on-the wall think about the Immortal JK.

AV? Scoop?

What is your opinion, hypothetical it may be, of replacing Eisner with Jeff Katz. M. AV has already laid out his idea that it should be 5 (or 6?) 'experts' pumped up and supported and goaded by a manager-type.

But what exactly would you two (or anyone else for that matter) think about JK replacing The Big ME.

[Another Voice]

Oh, you're talking about Jeff. I've heard of the guy. Still really good friends with Roy.

You know Roy, the old guy that thinks Disney's fate has been and always will be determined by how well the Studio - and the Animation Division in particular - is doing? Yea, I heard Roy ain't too pleased with the current hired help around the place. Thinks they ought to bring in some who's really good at movies (unlike this Mike character), someone he knows and trusts really well.

Anywho - that's all just gossip right now. Whooo - look at that fancy limo driving down Riverside Drive headed to that new Dreamworks place.

P.S. - Heard people named Steve and John that work up north with those computer movie thingies want to work with Jeff as well.

[space42]

Originally posted by Another Voice
Oh, you're talking about Jeff. I've heard of the guy. Still really good friends with Roy.

You know Roy, the old guy that thinks Disney's fate has been and always will be determined by how well the Studio - and the Animation Division in particular - is doing? Yea, I heard Roy ain't too pleased with the current hired help around the place. Thinks they ought to bring in some who's really good at movies (unlike this Mike character), someone he knows and trusts really well.

Anywho - that's all just gossip right now. Whooo - look at that fancy limo driving down Riverside Drive headed to that new Dreamworks place.

P.S. - Heard people named Steve and John that work up north with those computer movie thingies want to work with Jeff as well.

Oh my god! AV, you sure did say a mouthfull :)

Is it me or are the rumors about the big ME leaving are getting stronger every day?

[airlarry!]

STERN VOICE.

Do not tease us, AV. John Lassiter, head of animation?

Don't even joke about that! Let me guess what's next, Christmas comes early and Eddie Sotto is hired as head of parks? Pressler gets 'promoted' to head of Consumer Products (hehehehe)? Another Voice head of Feature Films?

[Peter Pirate]

Oh, so Roy is now out of Eisner's camp? When did this happen?

I have no problem with Katzenberg, Jobs & Lassiter coming home to roost...But I don't think 'Chicken Run' movies are exactly what Disney needs and for that matter as successful as 'Shrek' was would anyone be proud to say it was a Disney movie? Or would it be good for the brand?
:cool: :cool: :bounce: :cool: :cool:

[DVC-Landbaron]

Don't even joke about that! Let me guess what's next, Christmas comes early and Eddie Sotto is hired as head of parks? Pressler gets 'promoted' to head of Consumer Products (hehehehe)? Another Voice head of Feature Films?HEY!!!! What about your friendly neighborhood LandBaron?!?!?! I've had my application in for over two years now!!!!

[Another Voice]

Keep calm people....

There is a definte pecking order to Disney information:

1) Facts on the ground
2) Facts as known by real people
3) Facts as printed in press releases
4) "Rumors"
5) Rumors
6) Whispers
7) Gossip


There's a reason this little tidbit was printed in the Post's gossip column.

[WDWHound]

Damn it AV, now you've gone and gotten me all excited. Just the potential of any of these things coming to pass has resulted in one hopeful hound! Just think of the possiblities...

[manning]

Come to think of it, this was at least the second mention of ME possibly leaving.

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by Another Voice
Keep calm people....

There is a definte pecking order to Disney information:

1) Facts on the ground
2) Facts as known by real people
3) Facts as printed in press releases
4) "Rumors"
5) Rumors
6) Whispers
7) Gossip


There's a reason this little tidbit was printed in the Post's gossip column.

Ah, but it is far more exciting to dream about what may be someday, than look at the reality that is now.

[airlarry!]

How 'bout Judson as head of parks, Sotto (and Yoho! as second in command) in charge of WDI?

And LandBaron as VP in charge of MK?

Scoop as Disney Legal counsel or PR Spindoctor ;)

Peter Pirate in charge of crowd control? ;)

Planogirl in charge of Texas Disney World?

Raidermatt and lrodk CFOs?

Sarangel VP of Disneyland?

Let me and Peter Pirate finish up AK...

[DVC-Landbaron]

And LandBaron as VP in charge of MK?
:p :teeth: :teeth: :teeth: :p

[hopemax]

I never get to do anything

*sniff* *sniff*

[Jeff in BigD]

Planogirl in charge of Texas Disney World?
Ahem...I think if anything, it should be a shared responsibilty. ;)


Anyway, I think hiring Katz (although unlikely) would be greatness. It'd be the perfect "...and the horse you rode in on" to Eisner. :)

[MikePezz]

I am submitting my applicaiton to you all to be the new General Manager of the Poly. I promise to make the place sparkle again. No more deffered maintenance, overflowing garbage cans, or cig filters every two feet on the beach. And let's not forget the return of free valet parking.

[Walt's Frozen Head]

If we're taking applications, I believe I could make a huge positive impact as the "head" of Animal Kingdom.

-WFH

[mrtoadslastride]

Landbaron, if you promise to bring Mr. Toad back to MK you get my vote!!!

I would like to put in my application for WDW Transportation Czar.

[DC7800]

So long as we're talking dream jobs, can I please be in charge of Epcot ? I promise to do away with the "hand" and "Epcot" immediately.

[raidermatt]

If we're taking applications, I believe I could make a huge positive impact as the "head" of Animal Kingdom.
Well, it definitely could use some "cooling off", during those hot July afternoons...

Raidermatt and lrodk CFOs?
I'm just happy to be here, and hope I can help the ball club, er, company.

:)

I never get to do anything
There's still DCA... Now THAT'S a challenging job!

I would like to put in my application for WDW Transportation Czar.
I'm not sure I want someone named after a "Wild Ride" to be designing the monorail and people movers...;)

And there's still Larworth, gcurling, the Captain, and of course "The Voice", and others. So much talent!


I'm curious about what position BobO will be putting his app in for?

[mrtoadslastride]

Originally posted by raidermatt

I'm not sure I want someone named after a "Wild Ride" to be designing the monorail and people movers...;)


As long as you keep your arms inside the car at all times, everything will be fine!!!

My first duty will be to find a way to use the People Mover and Monorails to rid WDW of busses!!! I really like the People Mover and would like to see it actually used to move people around WDW.

[Miss Park Avenue]

mrtoadslastride has my vote for transportation vp!

and keep wedway100 out of Germany (YIKES!!!)

[airlarry!]

Raidermatt:

I'll bet you a Mickey Head Butter pat that Bob applies for head of testing for Coaster Design.

M. Night Shyanothervoice has already been hired as Head of the Feature Films.

[All Aboard]

If I applied my current role to WDW, everybody would be in car #3. But, what if I promise to change my ways??

[JonetteA]

I thought that Lassiter just resigned with
Pixar. I wonder what the details of that contract is....and if he were able to get out of it, would one of the conditions being that Pixar wouldn't have to fulfill the Disney contract....and if that were true, would it really matter to Disney's bottom line? Creative genius is what we need as head of the studio. Someone who isn't afraid of an original story. Lilo and Stitch proved that an original story with a good solid script and the power of the Mouse behind it could succeed!

[Douglas Dubh]

There's still DCA... Now THAT'S a challenging job!

I'd be willing to take it on, as long as I get to put in a train and a pirates style ride set in pre 1850 California.

[Planogirl]

I always get stuck with the non-existent parks. :rolleyes: And don't worry Jeff, I can always use an assistant. ;)

This is all very interesting. We just came back from California today and one of the uninformed CM's in Disneyland commented on the possible return of Katzenberg. I immediately discounted it but now here you all are discussing this very thing. :confused:

However I do like the suggestions made here. Don't forget BobO as VP of the new Villains theme park with all of its coasters and dark rides. And DC7800, if you get rid of that hand, you definitely have my vote as new VP of Epcot. Would you do something about The Living Seas too? All I ask is that you PLEASE don't discover another sink hole! :crazy:

Douglas Dubh, nice start on DCA but I think it's gonna take a lot more than that. A LOT more.