Former CBS president Gene Jankowski joins Classic Conversations to share vivid memories from the golden age of television. From the early days of network broadcasting to overseeing cultural icons like Dallas, M*A*S*H, and 60 Minutes, Gene reflects on the creative risks, behind-the-scenes decisions, and human connections that defined CBS's rise to dominance in the late '70s and '80s. His nostalgic insights, in his memoir, Behind the Eye: My Life in Media, capture an era when broadcast television shaped culture, united families, and delivered unforgettable moments that still resonate today.
Episode Highlights
- Gene's early path from the Navy and Michigan State to joining CBS in radio sales
- The career-defining leap into television and rise through CBS leadership
- The inside story of Dallas' "Who Shot J.R.?" and how the show kept TV's biggest secret
- The record-breaking finale of MASH* and why it remains unmatched in television history
- The creation of 60 Minutes' Sunday legacy and its lasting impact
- Behind-the-scenes memories of Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, and network news integrity
- Reflections on Norman Lear's groundbreaking storytelling and the delicate line between culture and controversy
- Lessons from successes (The Waltons, Dukes of Hazzard) and near-misses (Law & Order)
- Gene's leadership philosophy and why he ultimately left CBS
You're going to love my conversation with Gene Jankowski
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- Buy book: Behind the Eye: My Life in Media
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