Hearing Leonard Goldberg question and feeling Barry Diller's equally inquisitive gaze, Simon explained with a smile, "Leonard, I reminded everyone before filming began that Basic Instinct's critical reception might not be great, just like last year's The Butterfly Effect."
Leonard Goldberg was still somewhat worried. He subtly gestured toward the surrounding crowd and said, "Simon, no one left early during last year's test screenings."
"This film doesn't have the intricate plot construction of The Butterfly Effect. Its selling point is actually controversy," Simon replied, keeping his voice low as he ensured no one else was approaching. "Ronald, what Fox needs to do next is steer the public discourse surrounding this controversy and hold out until the film's release next month. If we do that, we win."
The marketing strategy for Basic Instinct had been discussed internally numerous times. Simon's words didn't do much to reassure Leonard Goldberg. "I understand that, Simon. I'm just worried we might not be able to control the media narrative at all."
"If it truly blows up in our faces, then I can only say it's regrettable," Simon shrugged, somewhat exasperated by Loenard indecisive nature. "Leo, we both know the movie business is always full of risks."
Leonard Goldberg picked up on Simon's impatience. Glancing around, he said, "Alright then. You two chat. I'll go say hello to Garrett from Variety. Hopefully, we can secure another positive review."
Simon watched Goldberger leave and asked Barry Diller, "Barry, has Fox found a replacement for Leonard position yet?" [TL/N: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA THIS SHIT IS SO FUCKING FUNNY.]
Barry Diller nodded. "I plan to have Joe Roth take over as president. Rupert is fairly satisfied with him too. Simon, do you know Roth?"
"I've heard of him, just never met him personally," Simon replied verbally, while thinking to himself, So it's Joe Roth, just as I expected.
In his original timeline, Joe Roth was Fox's president during this period. This well-known producer, who started in the industry in the 1970s, achieved his greatest success at Fox by discovering the Home Alone series, which became the highest-grossing comedy franchise in Hollywood history.
Joe Roth had just turned forty this year. He currently ran a production company with several partners and had co-produced successful films like Tom Hanks's early hit Bachelor Party, earning him a decent reputation in the industry, though he wasn't considered top-tier.
Strictly speaking, Joe Roth didn't have the qualifications to play the "musical chairs" game among Hollywood's major studios. However, both Rupert Murdoch an outsider in Hollywood and Barry Diller who, at forty-six, wanted to tighten his control over Fox's film division were reluctant to hire another seasoned Hollywood executive like Leonard to run the company.
Joe Roth had over a decade of experience in both production and running a company, yet he wasn't too deeply entrenched in Hollywood's establishment. Hiring him to manage Fox's film operations seemed just right.
"I'll introduce you next time," Barry Diller offered, then changed the subject. "Simon, after Basic Instinct, I truly hope we can continue our collaboration. You mentioned before wanting to explore some projects with the Fox network, but with these recent reality show proposals, Daenerys Pictures doesn't seem very interested in partnering with us?"
Simon remained impassive. "Barry, that's because Fox's offered terms weren't superior to the other networks."
Despite being considered the fourth major national network, Fox was still significantly weaker than the traditional "Big Three": ABC, NBC, and CBS.
In terms of the most basic metric affiliate stations the Big Three each had over two hundred affiliates across North America, while Fox currently had just over a hundred. Furthermore, to cut costs, Fox's network only programmed two hours of prime-time content, compared to the Big Three's three hours from 8 to 11 PM.
These factors limited Fox's potential audience base.
Daenerys Pictures had actually pitched its reality show concepts to the Fox network as well. However, the terms Fox offered weren't compelling enough for Simon to overlook its various disadvantages.
Barry Diller was undoubtedly a shrewd and visionary corporate manager. It was Diller who had persuaded the hesitant Leonard to agree to the groundbreaking contract with Daenerys for Final Destination, a deal from which Fox had profited handsomely.
Out of respect for Simon's track record of box office miracles, Barry Diller had studied Daenerys reality show proposals closely. In his view, Survivor had the greatest potential to cause a sensation, followed by the Big Brother concept. North America had never lacked game show formats, so Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? ranked third. As for the last one, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Diller thought it was purely the young man's "personal interest"—hadn't Simon recently been linked to disrupting the marriage of that stunning actress, Nastassja Kinski?
Diller also understood that Daenerys presenting four program concepts at once targeted the four major North American networks. Fox clearly only had one shot at placing a bet.
After a moment's consideration, Barry Diller said, "Simon, let's be frank. I want Survivor. What kind of deal are you looking for?"
"Barry, the Fox network's top priority right now is expanding its audience. Profits are secondary at this stage, correct?" Simon looked at Diller and continued without waiting for an answer, "So, if Fox wants Survivor, the deal is simple: you get the viewers, Daenerys gets the profits."
Barry Diller shook his head. "Simon, that's too harsh. Operating a network is extremely costly. I can't allow my platform to become a profit engine for someone else. Rupert wouldn't agree to it either."
"Barry, think of the Fox network as farmland being cultivated. Daenerys programs are the farmers ready to clear and work that land. If you want these farmers to abandon other already-productive fields and come work yours, you have to offer higher pay. Only when Fox's 'farmland' expands rapidly can you reap greater profits in the future."
"I understand that logic," Diller said. "But, Simon, I don't know the capabilities of the 'farmers' you're recommending."
Simon also shook his head, smiling. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure either."
Barry Diller thought about the pilot for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? airing this coming Monday. The show had been in intense preparation, and he had even discreetly visited the test shoot in New York to observe. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? did give him a distinctly different feel from traditional game shows.
However, that show already belonged to ABC; Fox obviously couldn't get involved now.
The dismal fall TV season caused by the writers' strike presented an opportunity for Daenerys Pictures. Similarly, it was a chance for the relatively weak Fox network. If they could launch one or two sensational TV programs this fall, the Fox network's popularity among North American viewers would surge immediately.
Much like later internet companies burning cash to grow their user base, the Fox network was currently in its own investment phase. If Simon's reality shows proved hugely successful, Barry Diller wouldn't mind sacrificing profits for ratings. However, he also didn't want to sign a contract with Daenerys that might later be seen as a laughingstock.
With only three days left until Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? premiered, Diller hesitated for a moment and decided to wait those three days. He couldn't help but feel a bit self-deprecating. I urged Leonard to boldly agree to the Final Destination deal, but when it's my turn, I find myself hesitating too.
However, Barry Diller resolved that if Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? received a good response, he would definitely secure at least one of the two reality shows he favored.
While Simon had considered using the reality shows as leverage to acquire New World Entertainment from General Electric, he knew Survivor was undoubtedly the most valuable of the remaining three projects (after Millionaire went to ABC). Others likely didn't realize this, and Simon wasn't absolutely set on giving Survivor to NBC.
On the contrary, if NBC's fall ratings were even more disastrous, General Electric might be more cooperative. After all, no one would assume Daenerys had only these four reality show concepts.
The official recording for the first episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? was scheduled for the weekend. Since Simon had to catch an early flight to the East Coast the next day, he didn't linger long at the reception. By ten o'clock, he and Janet had returned to Malibu.
Early the next morning a Saturday, when major newspapers typically released their most substantial editions of the week Basic Instinct, having just had its test screening, quickly became a media talking point. As expected, it sparked intense controversy.
In terms of basic critical reception, Basic Instinct actually fared better than last year's The Butterfly Effect, another Simon/Brian De Palma collaboration. Overall, it hovered around a 5/10—not a passing grade, but not a complete disaster either.
Variety offered a very positive review: "A slickly styled, intensely acted, and provocatively thought-provoking erotic thriller with a bizarrely compelling allure."
Rolling Stone praised the film as "a crimson-hued dreamscape conjured by Simon Westeros, with a memorable performance by Linda Fiorentino."
Other major outlets like The New York Times and The Seattle Times also gave positive reviews.
However, the negative criticism was far more vehement.
Roger Ebert tore into the film in The Chicago Sun-Times, stating it was "nothing but useless garbage apart from a simple, predictable plot akin to a word puzzle." Simon wasn't sure whether to feel honored that such a master critic would so bluntly use the word "garbage."
Terrence Rafferty of The New Yorker also criticized Basic Instinct as "a vapid story that uses sex and violence to divert the audience's attention."
Other publications like Time and The Chicago Tribune published criticisms as well.
Moreover, due to the film's subject matter, this polarized media reaction quickly spilled over from pure film criticism to debates about the film's content itself.
A critic who claimed to be Simon's loyal fan published a scathing article in The Los Angeles Times the next day, vehemently accusing Simon of "selling violence with Pulp Fiction and now selling eroticism with Basic Instinct," before publicly announcing he was "no longer a fan."
Mark Harrington, the freelance East Coast writer who had publicly questioned Simon during the Run Lola Run era and wasn't invited to the screening, jumped in again. He published an article in the Daily News (a rival of the New York Post), criticizing Basic Instinct for its excessive sexual depiction and accusing Simon of lacking social responsibility.
In the following days, the escalating media controversy grew increasingly heated, even descending into personal attacks.
A critic from The San Francisco Chronicle published an open letter questioning whether Simon, after consecutively producing two "deeply unsettling" films (Pulp Fiction and Basic Instinct), might have suffered another mental breakdown and should return to a psychiatric institution for treatment. The critic also claimed Basic Instinct absolutely deserved an NC-17 rating and demanded the MPAA re-rate the film.
After the open letter was published, many critics who had panned the film spoke out again, calling for the MPAA to re-evaluate Basic Instinct.
Before the test screening, Basic Instinct had already received an R rating from the MPAA.
The MPAA's rating board was essentially controlled by the major studios, keeping each other in check and occasionally used to pressure smaller studios. Typically, a studio would appeal or re-edit and resubmit a film if they felt the rating was too strict. There was no precedent for a film's confirmed rating being changed to a more restrictive one afterward.
While the media was in an uproar, within Hollywood, many understood that unless faced with overwhelmingly one-sided public pressure or other powerful factors, Basic Instinct's rating wouldn't change. Any greater societal impact would have to wait until after the film's release.
Obviously, once the film was released, the rating became even more irreversible.
Therefore, neither Daenerys Pictures nor Fox was perturbed by the controversy. Instead, they subtly fanned the flames to increase the film's notoriety and attract public attention. Fox even deliberately suppressed a statement the MPAA rating board attempted to issue to explain its decision.
On the other hand, to demonstrate they weren't devoid of social responsibility, Fox and Daenerys issued a joint statement on Monday, pledging to urge theaters screening Basic Instinct to enforce stricter age verification to ensure underage viewers didn't gain admission.
Of course, whether this would instead stoke teenagers' curiosity was beyond the studios' control. Teenagers were inherently rebellious, after all.