Somewhere in between creating blockbusters and bashing Marvel movies, three of arguably the most influential directors of our era, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson, have announced they will be volunteering their time to help save beloved TV channel Turner Classic Movies.
The three directors have been adamant about saving TCM, the only channel on TV that screens a constant rotation of classic films, after last week's round of layoffs shook the station and led to the three holding an emergency call with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav in which they vowed to work together to do all they could to revamp TCM, IndieWire reports.
As part of the changes, the network will bring back longtime programming chief Charles Tabesh, who was let go as part of last week's layoffs. The filmmakers will also work closely with WB executives Mike de Luca and Pamela Abdy, who will be overseeing programming.
"We have already begun working on ideas with Mike and Pam, both true film enthusiasts who share a passion and reverence for classic cinema that is the hallmark of the TCM community," the three said in a joint statement yesterday. "This unique arrangement, initiated by David Zaslav, reflects his commitment to honouring the TCM legacy while also involving us on curation and programming."
In the past, all three directors have been vocal about their appreciation of TCM, with Scorsese saying that it's always on in the background when he edits his films and Anderson once calling it a "holy ground," while Spielberg has devoted his time appearing on different programs on the channel.
The three directors have been adamant about saving TCM, the only channel on TV that screens a constant rotation of classic films, after last week's round of layoffs shook the station and led to the three holding an emergency call with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav in which they vowed to work together to do all they could to revamp TCM, IndieWire reports.
As part of the changes, the network will bring back longtime programming chief Charles Tabesh, who was let go as part of last week's layoffs. The filmmakers will also work closely with WB executives Mike de Luca and Pamela Abdy, who will be overseeing programming.
"We have already begun working on ideas with Mike and Pam, both true film enthusiasts who share a passion and reverence for classic cinema that is the hallmark of the TCM community," the three said in a joint statement yesterday. "This unique arrangement, initiated by David Zaslav, reflects his commitment to honouring the TCM legacy while also involving us on curation and programming."
In the past, all three directors have been vocal about their appreciation of TCM, with Scorsese saying that it's always on in the background when he edits his films and Anderson once calling it a "holy ground," while Spielberg has devoted his time appearing on different programs on the channel.