Zuckenfreude!
Sizing up the suspects in the murder of a mogul's career
In the annals of media mysteries, a Who Killed Jeff Zucker's Career would be the perfect crime because there are literally three cities populated by people who have been plotting it for years.
Some quick thoughts this on the passing of a media Gollum.
First of all, the mystery shouldn't be why did Jeff Zucker's career die; it's why was it still alive to start with? This is the man who probably holds the record of screwing up in more ways and not just in more jobs, but in more different kinds of jobs than probably anyone in media history.
Running a movie studio into the ground? Check!
Destroying American democracy as a ratings stunt? Been there, done that.
Providing shelter to all manner of men accused of misconduct? Covered!
His career was the equivalent of a patient stricken with cancer, a heart attack and Ebola, who had also fallen out of an airplane. And then showed up for work the next morning.
And yet — he not only remained the president of a major news network, but was a plausible contender for advancement.
Then to just state the obvious here. Has any high-ranking mogul ever stepped down over a consensual relationship? Even with an underling? Even if they were (plausibly) married during part of it?
Yes, it happens at other, say buttoned-up corporations, but those are not media.
I'm not saying it's not reprehensible just that it's unprecedented, as far as I can recall.
Which makes one think...well, if it's not about just this, perhaps there might be another shoe, or two. Or a closet full of them. Let’s look at the evidence…