What was the Bruhaha at the Shareholders Meeting?

[DisDreaminMom]

I heard a snippet on the Quinn and Rose show about a dust-up at the Disney shareholders meeting over the (non)release of some 911 documentary where supposedly Iger told someone a very naughty word. Then the fellow that was cussed out stood up and told the audience what happened. Let's say that panties were bunched. Anybody got the scoop? I'm guessing this was edited out of the coverage on the website, but I don't have time to look it up today.

Did Eisner create Iger in his image or what?

 

[DisFlan]

Read about it here. A guy says Iger said the "F' word. Iger (and a witness) says he didn't. I take it there's been bad blood between these guys for quite a while. And now there's a dust-up about Disney "deleting it from the web cast".

http://www.nationalcenter.org/PR-Disney_Expletive_Denial031209.html

And here for a bit more background.

http://www.nationalcenter.org/2009/03/wmal-talker-chris-plante-on-disney-ceos.html

 

[DisDreaminMom]

I just found it. Thanks. This is so sad. What is Iger thinking? Even if we give him the benefit of the doubt, what's so bad about releasing the DVD? I'd buy it. I watched it. I thought we were in a recession. Profits, profits, profits.

 

[WDSearcher]

I just found it. Thanks. This is so sad. What is Iger thinking? Even if we give him the benefit of the doubt, what's so bad about releasing the DVD? I'd buy it. I watched it. I thought we were in a recession. Profits, profits, profits.

Ever hear of "Song of the South?" Clearly, Disney doesn't release DVDs they don't want to release. Their product ... their decision. I don't really think that one documentary is going to bring in that much in the way of profits. If it was projected to do gangbusters at the video store, Disney probably would release it. But really, other than this guy, I don't see a whole bunch of people clamoring for its release.

Has anyone but the National Center for Public Policy Research picked up the "F-bomb" story? I haven't seen it on AP or UPI or any of the other news outlets. Just this one guy, issuing his own press release.

 

[DisFlan]

Ever hear of "Song of the South?" Clearly, Disney doesn't release DVDs they don't want to release. Their product ... their decision. I don't really think that one documentary is going to bring in that much in the way of profits. If it was projected to do gangbusters at the video store, Disney probably would release it. But really, other than this guy, I don't see a whole bunch of people clamoring for its release.

Has anyone but the National Center for Public Policy Research picked up the "F-bomb" story? I haven't seen it on AP or UPI or any of the other news outlets. Just this one guy, issuing his own press release.

Washington Times and USAToday. But I think they're mostly quoting the same sources. Is there really all that much story here? I mean, past a possible connection between "Disney" and the "F" word? No one would be reporting anything about the DVD if it hadn't been for that. Which was probably Borelli's intent.

DisFlan

 

[doconeill]

I guess from the Disney side the question is would it even make a profit? Is there still a market for it sufficient to outweigh production costs, and do so enough to put off something else that could otherwise be produced?

I doubt it is solely a political decision.

But if Iger couldn't control himself as claimed, that's very poor form. Sure, don't shake his hand, but for G2$!@# sake don't say something stupid.

 

[WDSearcher]

I guess from the Disney side the question is would it even make a profit? Is there still a market for it sufficient to outweigh production costs, and do so enough to put off something else that could otherwise be produced?

I doubt it is solely a political decision.

But if Iger couldn't control himself as claimed, that's very poor form. Sure, don't shake his hand, but for G2$!@# sake don't say something stupid.

I agree. Except I'd also want to know if there was any past history between these two. Borelli kind of makes it sound like they were casual acquaintences who met once or twice and then suddenly, he goes to shake hands and Iger F-bombs him. That seems unlikely. There's got to be something more to it.

 

[doconeill]

I agree. Except I'd also want to know if there was any past history between these two. Borelli kind of makes it sound like they were casual acquaintences who met once or twice and then suddenly, he goes to shake hands and Iger F-bombs him. That seems unlikely. There's got to be something more to it.

I do kinda get the impression that there is a history, and this guy just tried to sucker punch Iger verbally during the meeting to call out his political standing, which probably was not the time or place, and Iger lost his cool.

But I don't attend any shareholder meetings, so I don't know what kind of sparring contests are typical...

 

[DisDreaminMom]

First, didn't Borelli just want them to sell the rights to said video? Not even release it, but to allow it to be released by another company. Big distinction. Just sell the damn thing and get it over with and nobody would be talking about this. I wonder, if Wall St. Journal would pick up story, then it's news.

Second, I just watched Pinnochio for the first time since I was a kid and it's not high anywhere on the PC scale. Third, I never thought they would re-release Jungle Book-talk about racist over and undertones!. So why not release Song of the South? People did live like that at one point and it is a wonderful movie. My kids have the Tom and Jerry big cartoon collection and it has the most delightful disclaimer about race and depictions of characters in the early cartoons. It basically says, "We may not agree with it, but it happened and was the way people thought but we all know humanity has moved on. Kids don't try this at home!"

Also, it doesn't mater what Iger's history is-he is the head of a major company and he should shake hands and play nice. I guess he figures Roy Disney is too busy with the yacht. It just seems so cliche' in the context of what went on with Disney Wars, a fabulous book. I highly recommend it. Maybe I'll go re-read it to get more insight on the Iger thing...Still haven't watched the DVR of the View.