Rewind: TV execs spin

LOS ANGELES — As the latest Television Critics Association press tour gets under way here, let's take a moment and look back at what the network chieftains had to say at the last press tour.

It's probably not fair — after all, their crystal balls don't work any better than ours — but it is fun. Here's a sampling:

• "We are focused on reaching No. 1," said Fox Entertainment president Gail Berman.

Perhaps she should focus on being No. 3 instead of No. 4.

• "The results of this new, 52-week schedule have been mixed, but encouraging," Berman said.

Not that mixed. Mostly rotten.

• "We're also pleased with the performance of 'Method & Red,' " Berman said.

So pleased she canceled it.

• "It's our goal to be innovative in reality television," Berman said.

Ah, that one is a real knee-slapper. Apparently, she considers ripping off shows about trading moms, nannies and boxing to be "innovative."

• "We have some new shows I'd put money on. . . . Topping the list is 'Joey,' " said NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly.

For his sake, I hope he didn't bet too much. "Joey" has done OK, but its numbers have fallen steadily, and it has yet to come close to beating "Survivor."

• "Because of the terrific success this summer of 'Last Comic Standing,' we've decided to keep the show going in the fall. . . . The show is just too hot to ignore," Reilly said.

It cooled off quickly — so quickly NBC wouldn't even air the finale of the fall edition.

• "No, I'm not saying that," NBC Universal president Jeff Zucker said in response to being asked if he'd never put on a reality show that imitated another network's program. "I think that, you know, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery in television."

UPN must be very flattered that NBC ripped off "America's Next Top Model" with the "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search."

• "We're not of the belief that it is one show that saves the network," said ABC Entertainment president Stephen McPherson.

No, it's two — "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost."

• "We think it's a broad audience-appeal show," McPherson said of "The Benefactor."