Most producers have meetings with ratings-obsessed network execs.
Herbert Brodkin had showdowns. CBS would not agree on any casting, and they wanted to cut it from three to two hours. Herbie Wise said he had been to many meetings, at the BBC, and all over the place, but he'd never heard a producer talk to the network that way. Over the years, Herb Brodkin-steered shows attracted more than 40 Emmys. You continually deal with young network executives who never heard of The Defenders and couldn't care less.