QUENTIN SCHAFFER, EVP FOR CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS AT HBO: First off, I just want to say I feel every time we get together now, it's like an Agatha Christie mystery. It's wondering who is going to survive the year.
Even money, this'll end in a bloodbath.
QUESTION: Richard and Michael, on your far right. With "John From Cincinnati" long gone, what is the likelihood that David Milch could devote his talents to the long-talked-about two-part, four-hour "Deadwood" finale that we've heard so much about?
Announcing your plans is a good way to hear God laugh.
RICHARD PLEPLER: David, delightfully for us and soon to be known by you, is working on a pilot called "Last of the Ninth" about New York City Police Department, 1970s. And that's really where he's put his energy. We're very excited about it. I think it's safe to report to you that the likelihood of a "Deadwood" movie happening is slim to none.
Pain or damage don’t end the world. Or despair or f@!#ing beatings. The world ends when you’re dead.
MICHAEL LOMBARDO: The story behind "Deadwood" and "John From Cincinnati" are very different stories. "John From Cincinnati" wasn't embraced by the viewers in terms of the number of people watching the show. It wasn't embraced by the press. And I think Dave and those of us at HBO talking to him were on the same page, which, "Okay, we tried this. 'A' for effort. Doesn't feel like" -- "and let's try something else." So it was a very -- I think it was a mutual decision that that was time to end that show.
You see the light go out of their eyes... It's just you left and death.
MICHAEL LOMBARDO: "Deadwood," as you've all reported, was very different and, again, preceded us, but much more contentious and, I think, difficult decision. And look, the truth of the matter is the same things that make it fantastic to work here, which are we're not hostage to ratings numbers, advertising, you know, make it hard to make these decisions.
Numbers are the only principle I believe in.
MICHAEL LOMBARDO: So there's not an easy answer for you. And, you know, we struggle with it and --
RICHARD PLEPLER: And I would just add, in the best sense, of course, it's when the artist is finished telling his story, as is the case with David Simon and "The Wire" and Alan Ball and David Chase. And that's the best tradition. So if we're on the same page, you know, it's the narrative that the artist wants to tell. And when he's done or she's done, we're done.
Sometimes I wish we could just hit 'em over the head, rob 'em, and throw their bodies in the creek.
Here are all my press tour stories
(Thanks to Rick and all the other "Deadwood" quote collectors)
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