The industry’s major players – Leslie Moonves, Bruce Rosenblum, and Nina Tassler – along with co-founder Merv Adelson look back (and tell all) about the hit factory that spawned iconic series like “The Waltons” and “Full House,” plus a few box-office misfires, on its 45th anniversary.
In an era when independent producers proliferated, it could lay claim to four of TV’s biggest hits — The Waltons, Dallas, Knots Landing, and Falcon Crest — to say nothing of a new format (the modern primetime soap) and a strong reputation for its creative-friendly culture. Lorimar’s hot streak continued through the 1980s with the addition of rising-star executive Leslie Moonves and a collection of family half-hours, including Full House, ALF and The Hogan Family.
By 1986, Lorimar had merged with top syndicator Telepictures (The People’s Court, Love Connection) to become the leading supplier of both network series and first-run syndication. It remained so until it was acquired by Warner Communications in 1989 for $1.2 billion and its TV unit absorbed by Warner Bros. TV four years later… read more >
