The Rockford Files

This enlightening book about the television business and the Broadway stage tells the story of the creation of many hits during the last thirty years on platforms as wide-ranging as HBO, HBO Max, NBC, Fox, Showtime, CBS, and more. Be a fly on the wall during the casting of "The X-Files," the creation of "The Sopranos," the birth of "Beverly Hills, 90210," the explosive launch of "The Voice," the magic of "This Is Us," or the debut of television's first new live musical in fifty years,...
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This enlightening book about the television business and the Broadway stage tells the story of the creation of many hits during the last thirty years on platforms as wide-ranging as HBO, HBO Max, NBC, Fox, Showtime, CBS, and more. Be a fly on the wall during the casting of "The X-Files," the creation of "The Sopranos," the birth of "Beverly Hills, 90210," the explosive launch of "The Voice," the magic of "This Is Us," or the debut of television's first new live musical in fifty years, "The Sound of Music Live!," which attracted nearly 20 million viewers. And so much more!

Robert Greenblatt, a television executive who began his career in broadcast television at the Fox network in 1989 and rose in the ranks to the chairmanship of NBC, and HBO, pulls back the curtain on the development and launch of countless global hits, including a departure to Broadway for the debut of "9 To 5 The Musical" with composer Dolly Parton. This is a fly-on-the-wall look at the inner workings of the creative process of shows that have delighted audiences the world over for three decades. Greenblatt's childhood and origin in rural Rockford, Illinois, is an inspired part of the journey too, proof that making it in the entertainment business -- getting to the "big time" -- is possible no matter where you come from.

If you're interested in a career in Hollywood, or simply curious about how these successes were made, this is the book for you.

"I loved your book. And I'm certainly glad to know you enjoyed the whole [9 to 5 The Musical] experience. The greatest part of it was that we got to know each other. This is a great read, and I was really honored that you spoke so highly of me."
-- Dolly Parton

"Greenblatt's book is an invaluable compendium of anecdotes about his experiences in the TV trenches. He brings the dual perspective of a seasoned industryite who has worked as a top programming buyer for major networks as well as a producer of Emmy-winning series."
-- Cynthia Li