When Michael Eisner didn't respond right away, Dunn chuckled lightly and said, "Whether it's CBS or ABC, to me, they're just business partners. I'll go with whoever offers the better deal. Mr. Eisner, you're not regretting letting American Idol slip to CBS, are you?"
"Hmph!"
Michael Eisner didn't give him a warm look.
He wasn't stupid. Back then, the situation was clear to anyone with a brain. As long as CBS didn't lowball their offer, Dunn Films was always going to pick them.
So why would ABC bother kissing up at that point?
Back then, Michael Eisner was riding high after the Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed, full of confidence and unwilling to lose face.
But now? Things had flipped. Pride mattered a lot less than profit!
Dunn leaned back casually and said, "The first season of American Idol is locked in with CBS for broadcast. Over the next few months, it's pretty obvious CBS is going to dominate ABC. Mr. Eisner, it's up to you now—do you trust my take on reality TV or not?"
"Hm? What's that supposed to mean?"
Michael Eisner raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to Dunn's words.
Dunn smiled. "I'm a movie guy, sure, but the TV shows I've invested in and the reality programs I've planned all have blockbuster potential. So, Mr. Eisner, do you think I'm just lucky—or do I actually know what I'm doing?"
Michael Eisner narrowed his eyes, mulling over Dunn's words. Then it hit him, and his voice betrayed a hint of excitement. "Wait a minute—you're saying that besides American Idol, you've got another reality show in the works?"
Dunn grinned. "A month ago, when American Idol signed with CBS, that's when I realized something. A hit reality show can rake in just as much profit as a blockbuster movie! And better yet—it's cheaper to make, lower risk, faster cash flow, broader audience, and stronger sequel potential!"
Michael Eisner, now visibly intrigued, said, "So… a month ago, you started planning a new reality show?"
"Exactly. It's called Brain and Brawn Challenge. It's an interactive competition show for everyone—not only can viewers feel like they're part of it, but we'll also bring in celebrities to join the fun, making it true all-ages entertainment. American Idol is about showcasing voices; Brain and Brawn Challenge is a stage for epic challenges!"
"Can you tell me more?"
"Not really," Dunn said with a sly smile. "But in my opinion, Brain and Brawn Challenge could match American Idol's impact. And I mean globally!"
American Idol was a phenomenon, its influence stretching worldwide. Shows like Super Girl and Super Boy were shameless rip-offs that didn't even pay for the rights. Even in the U.S. and Europe, later hits like The X Factor and America's Got Talent struggled to reach Idol's heights.
Only Brain and Brawn Challenge could rival its reach!
The planning for Brain and Brawn Challenge was brilliant.
You'd have occasional celebrity guests to boost appeal, athletes to wow the crowd, and game designs that were flat-out impressive.
Picture this: under the banner of pushing limits and promoting fitness, a group of stunning bikini-clad women bouncing through obstacles. How's that for visuals?
And if they fail and splash into the water? Wet beauty or a dramatic reveal—either way, it's a win for the eyes!
The show packed in extreme sports, sensory thrills, star power, athletic feats, hormones, and bikini babes—all in one package.
In short, it was "violence + sex appeal"!
No wonder Brain and Brawn Challenge stayed popular and spread like wildfire across the globe.
Michael Eisner mused, "You only started working on it a month ago. Isn't that cutting it close?"
Dunn shrugged. "Brain and Brawn Challenge is all about light, summery vibes. We start planning now, shoot in May, and it's ready to go. Unlike American Idol, there's no massive audition process, so production's a breeze. I'm betting it'll air by July."
American Idol wraps in June, and Brain and Brawn Challenge picks up in July—perfect handoff.
"This guy's got big ambitions," Michael Eisner thought, squinting as he saw through Dunn's game plan. After conquering commercial films and niche cable TV, Dunn was now gunning to dominate reality TV with another hit!
And honestly, he had the chops for it.
American Idol was the first music reality show ever, truly aimed at the masses with text voting and massive influence.
Dick Clark Productions had been floundering last year, nearly forced to delist due to poor performance. When Dunn Films scooped it up, people thought he'd overpaid.
But then Dunn used the company to blast the Golden Globes, and it paid off big time!
More importantly, his reality TV vision breathed new life into the company.
Could Brain and Brawn Challenge explode like American Idol?
Michael Eisner frowned. "CBS has Big Brother coming up later this year. Can Brain and Brawn Challenge hold up?"
Big Brother, alongside Survivor and The Amazing Race, was one of CBS's big three reality shows—the pioneer of voyeuristic reality TV.
It threw a group of people under constant surveillance, recording every move and word, with contestants voted off. To win votes, some played dirty, stirring up drama and controversy that kept it hot.
Dunn brushed it off. "Shows like Big Brother need you to watch every episode to follow along, like a soap opera. Miss a few, and you're lost. That's not the future of reality TV. The key is instant appeal—something you can jump into anytime without feeling out of the loop, like American Idol."
"Big Brother, Survivor, The Amazing Race—they're old-school. Sure, they stay popular, but they're not true all-ages fun. Constantly swapping casts and ongoing storylines confuse viewers. That's not how reality TV should work. Plus, Brain and Brawn Challenge isn't a seasonal thing—it's a weekly staple, instant entertainment."
Big Brother had a solid setup, but its reliance on fresh faces every season was a hurdle for viewers, keeping it from true blockbuster status.
The Kardashians' reality show borrowed from Big Brother, but it worked because everyone already knew them. That's why it lasted. Kim Kardashian's fame in the U.S. outshone even top Hollywood stars like Nicole Kidman or Julia Roberts.
Michael Eisner hadn't expected Dunn, a movie guy, to have such a sharp grasp of reality TV. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Back in the day, he and Barry Diller jumped from ABC to Paramount, taking over a film studio as TV outsiders. They faced skepticism too.
But as "outsiders," they introduced high-concept films, achieved stunning success, and were hailed as "genius film analysts."
He felt that same spark in Dunn now.
Dunn's arguments were fresh, clever, and well-reasoned.
"Alright," Michael Eisner said, taking a deep breath. "ABC's in for Brain and Brawn Challenge!"
Dunn stayed cool. "I've put just as much heart into Brain and Brawn Challenge as I did with American Idol. The contract terms can't be worse than what CBS offered for Idol."
Michael Eisner had no choice. Right now, Dunn was his best shot.
Dunn's move to buy out Pixar's contract had cut off his retreat.
But only Dunn could clear the thorns ahead.
"The Oscars are in two days," Dunn said. "We'll hash out the details after that. In the meantime… I don't want Pixar stirring up anything that could hurt Disney."
"Of course, I'll make sure of it!"
But Dunn's tone shifted. "This needs to be wrapped up by April. If I don't have a satisfying deal by next month, I can't promise what I might do."
A threat!
A blatant, no-nonsense threat!
Michael Eisner had no room to argue and could only nod. "No problem. I'll get a negotiation team together and settle this within the month!"
Pixar and Disney parting ways was a done deal.
Now, The Chronicles of Narnia and Brain and Brawn Challenge were the lifelines keeping Disney's stock afloat.
No matter what, Michael Eisner had to grab them!
…
Dunn was in a great mood. After months of hard work, he was finally getting his hands on Disney's classic animation catalog.
A decade from now, when IP fever took off, even obscure oldies like It or Jumanji would get remakes—let alone those beloved animated classics.
When his assistant, Isla Fisher, came to report on work, Dunn happily cupped her gorgeous face and planted a big kiss on her red lips.
But Isla wasn't smiling. "Dunn, bad news. The Oscar committee just canceled your spot as a presenter."
"Hm?"
A sharp glint flashed in Dunn's eyes.
Isla lowered her voice. "Do you think… maybe they're worried you'll say something wild during the ceremony, so they cut you out?"
Dunn's rant against the Golden Globes when he accepted his award there had earned him quite a reputation.
"The Oscar committee? Hmph, maybe Kirk Douglas pulled some strings," Dunn said with a dismissive smirk.
"What? Kirk Douglas?" Isla sounded worried. "Could this be trouble?"
Dunn laughed it off, not taking it seriously at all. "He's a grasshopper after the harvest—won't be hopping much longer!"
Two days later.
The Oscars!