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| Show him the money
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A long time ago Garry Shandling and Brad Grey (the "Grey" from Brillstein-Grey) were like two peas in a pod. Shandling’s project, The Larry Sanders Show was making television history with its no laughtrack/single camera style and truly unique humor. Those were the days when Shandling didn’t seem to be complaining about Grey’s substantial role in his career. At least not out loud.
Nowadays, of course, it’s a different story. About a year and a half ago
Shandling filed a conflict of interest suit in L.A. Superior Court. The complaint alleged, among other things, that Grey used his dual position as manager and executive producer of The Larry Sanders Show to "triple-dip" by taking excess commissions and fees out of the show. Shandling also alleged that as one of Grey's top clients, he should have been included in a series of TV deals Brillstein-Grey made with Columbia Pictures Television, ABC and MCA.
The damages being sought by Shandling? An astronomical $100 million. And, more importantly, the case intensifies the debate about whether there is a fundamental conflict when a personal manager also serves as a producer.
So is Grey an unethical greedy bastard, or is Shandling just pooh-poohing about all the money his manager made off him? Before arriving at a conclusion, one must first understand who Brad Grey is, and exactly what his role was in regards to Sanders Show.
Brad Grey, both manages some of Hollywood’s top talent, and Executive Produces a good number of projects they appear in. For example Grey currently Exec Produces The Sopranos, Just Shoot Me, The Steve Harvey Show, NewsRadio, Mr. Show, Politically Incorrect, which all contain at least one B-G client. He has also had his hand in such films as (as an Exec Producer): The Cable Guy, Bulletproof, Happy Gilmour, Dirty Work, and The Wedding Singer.
In other words, Brad Grey is a busy guy (and a rich bastard to boot). But does he have too much involvement? And does that involvement mean a lot less loot for his clients?
The answer is an invariable yes. But one thing we have to remember is: his clients are the ones who agree to the terms of their contracts. They don’t have to sign on the dotted line. And they don’t have to be represented by Grey. There are plenty of top-notch mangers in Hollywood that don’t require producer credits with their client’s deals.
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| 'Does my head look fat?'
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So why didn’t Shandling seek another manager out when Grey was seeking half of The Larry Sanders Show? Probably because Grey is a big honking Hollywood stud who can get things done. Let’s not forget: the big four networks were not too crazy about Larry Sanders the way Shandling wanted to do it—Grey got HBO to take a risk and air the groundbreaking show – and for that he deserves to reap some rewards.
"But half?" you might be saying. Perhaps that is a little heavy, but remember, it’s what Shandling let him have at the time.
Besides, isn’t this just an issue of Shandling sitting around now and thinking
about all the money he would’ve made if Grey’s grimy little hands weren’t in the pot? (There are rumors floating around that Shandling is not good with his money) Granted, maybe Grey did take too much. And maybe managing and producing is a conflict of interest. But, Shandling and other stars continue to agree to it. And as long as they do, it will keep happening.
So, stop your crying Garry, and take some responsibility for your actions. Nobody put a gun to your head (at least we hope not).
