As Jeff Shell prepares to re-enter the C-suite leagues underneath the proposed Skydance-Paramount merger, we hear there’s lots of digging to search out some filth on the previous NBCUniversal government to both derail or taint his new job earlier than it begins.
Shell exited NBCU as CEO in April 2023 because of a criticism of inappropriate conduct by CNBC anchor Hadley Gamble. As soon as David Ellison’s acquisition of the Sheri Redstone-dominated Nationwide Amusements was introduced final month, it additionally was revealed that Shell was named President of Paramount World.
Rumors have been floating round in latest weeks about different Shell incidents with NBCU feminine staff. We investigated them and discovered that these incidents had been made identified, had been seemed into by NBCU human sources and led to nothing. We additionally perceive that these allegations had been made identified to the Ellisons.
Some would possibly need to paint Shell as a Les Moonves redux, however we hear there’s extra smoke than hearth, as The New York Instances, Wall Avenue Journal and the Hollywood trades are nonetheless attempting to stoke the embers.
Of the rumored bits in Shell’s file at NBCUniversal had been some inappropriate photographs on his telephone. As well as, there was a Common movie label government who sought out a drink assembly with Shell at a London resort bar. He then reportedly went off to dinner, they usually by no means encountered one another once more. There have been inquiries into each incidents at NBCUniversal, however nothing was proved to be afoul with Shell.
Shell’s placement on the high of the Paramount totem pole round Skydance has raised eyebrows round city due to their rumored plans to deliver former Pixar government Jon Lasseter over to the Melrose lot; that government let go by Disney for a protracted historical past of inappropriate conduct.
It’s price noting that these rumors about Shell are effervescent up with a couple of week left within the 45-day go-shop interval for Paramount through which the leisure conglom can solicit different bidders; one of many events kicking the tires being Edgar Bronfman Jr. Ought to no different bid be accepted by Paramount, then the Skydance-merger, which entails an’ $8 billion funding by David Ellison and different events, is predicted to undergo a while within the first half of 2025; the company marriage requiring the usual authorities signoffs from the DOJ, SEC and FCC.
Everybody is aware of that Hollywood is a pointy elbow city as everybody stabs you within the again.
In actual fact, there’s one former studio government who had made it very clear, sources inform us, he envisions a pathway to his former glory. Some surprise if this could possibly be a number of the origins of the rumors round Shell.
On the identical time, it appears some excessive stage former company companions of Shell’s at NBCU/Comcast are displeased together with his abilities now exhibiting up at a rival studio, sources inform us.
“Shell made one mistake and he paid for it by shedding his job at NBCUniversal,” a person with data of the scenario tells Deadline.
“That’s it, that’s all there’s.”
