Frank Rich Joins HBO As Creative Consultant

Frank Rich, who spent thirteen years as the theater critic at the New York Times and is now a weekly columnist there, has signed on as a creative consultant to HBO. According to the press release, the role will allow Rich to "both initiate and help develop projects" at the network.

To my mind, HBO has always been the gold standard for some of the best work in television," Rich said. "I'm excited to be a part of this collaboration."

"Frank is one of the smartest and most astute observers of popular culture, and we are thrilled that we can call upon his judgment and superb instincts," said HBO co-president Richard Plepler and HBO president, programming group and west coast operations, Michael Lombardo.

Nikki Finke adds that Rich's NYT colleague Bill Carter has also done work with HBO and is planning to do more in the future:

Also, it's interesting to note that another NY Times staffer has done showbiz work for HBO: TV writer Bill Carter, who in 1996 adapted his book about the late night war over David Letterman into the HBO teleplay Late Shift, but continued (and continues) to cover the pay channel. Carter also in 2002 adapted his book about Howard Cosell and ABC's Monday Night Football into the TNT teleplay Monday Night Mayhem but continued (and continues) to cover both the cable channel and ABC. More recently, TV sources tell me that Carter has been saying he'd like to write a sequel to Late Shift about Jay Leno's anticipated exit from NBC which he has been covering for the NY Times.

Full release below:

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FRANK RICH, WHO WRITES A WEEKLY COLUMN FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES, SIGNS ON AS CREATIVE CONSULTANT TO HBO

NEW YORK, May 21, 2008 - Frank Rich has signed on as a creative consultant to HBO, it was announced today by Richard Plepler, co-president, and Michael Lombardo, president, programming group and west coast operations, HBO.

In this capacity, Rich will both initiate and help develop projects at the pay-TV network.

"Frank is one of the smartest and most astute observers of popular culture, and we are thrilled that we can call upon his judgment and superb instincts," said Plepler and Lombardo.

Added Rich, "To my mind, HBO has always been the gold standard for some of the best work in television. I'm excited to be a part of this collaboration."

Rich will recuse himself from writing about HBO and Time Warner in his weekly OpEd column, which is largely about politics and public affairs.

Comments

[ellen63]

This is great news. Now people an avail themselves of Frank Rich's original ideas in yet another venue. Patricia Burstein

[Manx]

I hope Frank Rich doesn't skip any Sunday columns in the NY Times because of his new endeavors. I look forward to his weekly column. Rich should prove to be an asset to HBO.

To the commenter below who says that Rich isn't fair minded, I say rubbish. Rich usually agrees with what I'm thinking, which means he's fair minded.

[justfine]

Great line.

And Frank is the best, always.

[PKSSK]

HBO has gained a great asset to their brand. Frank Rich and Bob Hebert are my favorite journalists

[justfine]

Try Gail Collins. It's time to say goodbye to Maureen.

[ErnestineBass]

At least Frank Rich, HBO and the NYT are being up front about this highly questionable relationship, whereas Sony studios was NOT with their own "strawman" critic a few years back.

Still...this sort of "cross-pollination" can easily be used to hype the HBO brand, and in light of the exceptional product they've put out in the past, I find that unethical and UNNECESSARY.

From now on, when Frank Rich reviews something produced by HBO, give it short shrift.

[Eoin45]

"From now on, when Frank Rich reviews something produced by HBO, give it short shrift." Frank Rich is now a political columnist and, to my knowledge, no longer does those kinds of reviews. So how is this unethical in any way? They've been out front about the association. I find your comment insulting. Rich is a journalist of high integrity and I'd imagine he'll stay away from HBO reviews.

[rosal]

One of my favorites, favorites journalists. He is right on, on every subject he writes. He is an oustanding human being.

[laternighter]

Right on everything he wrote. Not really! He attacked Gore relentlessly during the 2000 election.
This time he went after Hillary which you probably think is great. He's highly opionated and not fair minded at all.

[mamacat]

In the light of history, I wonder if he regrets attacking Gore.

[Eoin45]

"He's highly opionated and not fair minded at all." He's paid to write opinion. I find him to be exceptionally fair minded. You don't because, yes, he doesn't like Hillary. Unlike her supporters he backs up his opinion with reasoned arguments. BTW, having opinons is not analogous to being opinionated.