Power,'' Henry Kissinger has often been quoted as saying, ''is the great aphrodisiac.'' If that's true, then the magazine you're holding in your hands isn't merely ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY's 12th annual Power Issue -- it's also a list of the 101 sexiest people in showbiz today (hubba-hubba, Harvey Weinstein).
But even if Kissinger got it wrong, there are still plenty of reasons why Hollywood's biggest players long to see their names in these pages -- preferably the first few pages -- and even more reasons why you might want to spend some time flipping through them. Power, after all, is what makes this town go round: Garner enough of it and you never have to take no for an answer. Lose too much of it and you'll never hear another yes again (until, of course, you make your big comeback).
This year, ranking entertainment's players was a particularly challenging task. Hollywood, like every city in America, has been in shock since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, and understandably confused about what to offer audiences in these emotionally raw and politically sensitive times. With movie releases being postponed, TV pilots being retooled, and CDs being recalled -- with the entire industry momentarily frozen in a state of stunned uncertainty, and an economy just as seriously in flux -- it's difficult to get a bead on where anyone stands in the entertainment hierarchy.
Difficult, but not impossible. The show, as it turns out, goes on, and so, therefore, do the power plays. Over the years, EW has refined its own uniquely calibrated instruments for measuring the currents that flow through the industry. An eclectic mix of actors, studio heads, producers, directors, talent agents, publishing execs, singers, even the occasional cartoon character, our ranking doesn't differentiate between behind-the-scenes operations and camera-ready players. The results aren't always pretty, but in the end we believe our methods produce a list that not only reflects how power is truly perceived in Hollywood, but is -- if not an aphrodisiac -- at least as entertaining as the business we cover.
1 Ron MEYER & Stacey SNIDER President-COO, Universal Studios; Chairman, Universal Pictures; LAST YEAR - 18
One year of record-breaking box office totals could be written off to luck. Two years in a row might be coincidence. But now that Universal seems poised to make it three -- its last big hit, August's American Pie 2, was its 10th film since 1999 to gross more than $100 million domestically -- we've run out of excuses.
The choice to give this duo the top spot on our list was so obvious, in fact, even the guy they're replacing -- last year's No. 1, CBS CEO Leslie Moonves -- thinks it's a no-brainer. ''Absolutely amazing'' is how he describes their track record at Universal over the past three years. They ''put life back in that place.''
And boy, did that place need it. Before Meyer, 56, promoted Snider, 40, in 1999 the then-ninth-rated studio seemed cursed. Almost immediately, however, Meyer (who created CAA with Mike Ovitz) and Snider (a onetime D-girl and Peter Guber protegee) turned things around, starting with a remake of a 67-year-old horror flick about a gauzy dead guy with poor posture. The Mummy grossed $412 million worldwide and helped the Snider-Meyer partnership end its first year with the biggest domestic box office numbers in Universal's history.
They grew even bigger in 2000, crossing the billion-dollar mark for the first time, as well as releasing a record-breaking five No. 1 films in a row (one of them being The Grinch, which grossed $343 million worldwide). They also showed savvy in their coproduction deals (partnering with DreamWorks, for instance, on Gladiator). Mummy director Stephen Sommers says Meyer and Snider complement each other "almost like a married couple," with Snider taking a hands-on approach from a movie's script stage and Meyer concentrating on the big-picture business of running the studio. "They make a director feel like he's the quarterback and they're two really great coaches," says Sommers. More importantly, he adds, the two "don't try to second-guess the public's tastes, which is where a lot of studios go down in flames. They make the sorts of movies they want to see. And they take chances."
They also have one of the more stable teams in the biz: Meyer and Snider and several of their top execs have been around for four years or more--a lifetime in Hollywood. And just as new parent company Vivendi Universal has done a nice job of keeping out of the way, the duo apparently provide the sort of climate where box office gold thrives: $419 million worldwide for The Mummy Returns, $380 million for Jurassic Park III, $163 million for The Fast and the Furious. (And while some detractors call Universal's 2002 slate iffy and apparently summer-blockbuster-free, consider this: Did anyone predict Fast would be a hit?)
If Meyer and Snider keep this up for another year or two, we might even forget which two people in this year's 101 were responsible for greenlighting Rocky and Bullwinkle.
2 Tom HANKS Actor-Producer LAST YEAR - 10
AGE 45 CREDITS There's a reason Hanks was asked to open last month's all-star telethon for disaster relief--and it wasn't his $20 million-per-film paycheck, his five Oscar noms, or his HBO producing career (Band of Brothers). His is, simply, America's most beloved face--a visage capable of carrying a blockbuster almost entirely on its own (not counting a certain volleyball). Next up: The Road to Perdition, with Paul Newman (yes, there's already Oscar buzz). DEBITS Band was critically lauded, but didn't sustain its initially stellar ratings.
3 Leslie MOONVES President-CEO, CBS LAST YEAR - 1
AGE 52 CREDITS TV's unofficial ambassador oversees CBS News, CBS Sports, and the net's strong entertainment division (under No. 2 Nancy Tellem)--home to last season's crackerjack Thursday slate: Survivor 2 and CSI. Raymond and King of Queens rule on Monday night. Made Big Brother 2 watchable. DEBITS Cut the median age of CBS' audience by 1.5 years (to 50), but net is still in fourth place in 18-to-49 demo. Critics love Amazing Race, audiences don't. Can also claim dubious distinction of first canceled fall show (Danny).
4 Steven SPIELBERG, Jeffrey KATZENBERG & David GEFFEN Partners, DreamWorks SKG LAST YEAR - 4
AGES 54/50/58 CREDITS Gladiator or Shrek, take your pick. One dominated this year's Oscars, the other owned the summer. If ever a studio succeeded at combining art and commerce, this is it. New hire Mike De Luca should boost its release slate and foster a more filmmaker-friendly mood (coveted producers Team Todd, Ben Stiller already wooed). DEBITS There were some duds, however (e.g., Evolution, Curse of the Jade Scorpion). Best 2001 Oscar chances ride with a green ogre.
5 Julia ROBERTS Actress LAST YEAR - 2
AGE 34 CREDITS That new Oscar, for starters. But even if she hadn't taken home the gold for Erin Brockovich this year, Roberts would still be the biggest actress of our time, arguably of all time. Her ability to open movies--even mediocre ones, like The Mexican and America's Sweethearts--is unmatched by any other female star. DEBITS She does more for her movies than they do for her (she might want to work on her choices). A speechwriter wouldn't hurt, either, for the next time she takes home some gold.
6 Doug MORRIS Chairman-CEO, Universal Music Group LAST YEAR - 7
AGE 62 CREDITS In the first week of September, UMG (including Interscope, Island Def Jam, MCA) had 9 of the country's 15 best-selling albums. With veteran acts like U2, Jay-Z, and Sting, and upstarts like Sum 41, Nelly, and Nickelback on his company's endless list of top-notch talent, Morris is the record-biz cat with the biggest stacks of cash; even in a tumbling economy, they should thrive. DEBITS Disappointments from Live, Foxy Brown, blink-182, and Melissa Etheridge prove nobody's perfect.
7 Sherry LANSING & Jonathan L. DOLGEN Chairman, Motion Picture Group, Paramount Pictures; Chairman, Viacom Entertainment Group LAST YEAR - 17
AGES 57/56 CREDITS A slew of solidly marketed, by-the-numbers hits (What Women Want, Save the Last Dance, Along Came a Spider, Down to Earth) make it the most stable of the big studios; Tomb Raider wasn't the box office powder keg projected, but strong enough to assure a franchise. Holiday offerings promise more rewards: Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky and potential franchise Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. DEBITS Cruise/Cruz affair will likely challenge Sky marketing; Raider won't survive another dreadful script.
8 Oprah WINFREY Talk-show host-Producer-Publisher LAST YEAR - 14
AGE 47 CREDITS The high priestess of daytime hesitates to call her name a brand. Still, there's the Book Club, the No. 1-rated syndicated talk show--renewed through season 18--and the healthy (and good for you!) O, The Oprah Magazine. So far, she's getting high marks for her balanced, non-sensational coverage of the terrorist attacks and their aftermath. Her pet protege, Dr. Phil McGraw, will get his own hour-long Harpo Productions-created show. DEBITS She might be too generous: the Oxygen network is a nonentity.
9 Tom CRUISE Actor-Producer LAST YEAR - 3
AGE 39 CREDITS He's still among the planet's biggest stars--and a savvy producer to boot (The Others). After an injection of cred (Magnolia) and cash (M:I-2) he's got Cameron Crowe's Vanilla Sky (which he produced) and Spielberg's Minority Report. So at least he has good creative advisors... DEBITS ...even if his current PR is rotten. Nicole stomped him in post-divorce media battle so badly that his next two--particularly Sky, with girlfriend Penelope Cruz--take on unexpected urgency: Has long-term loyalty of female fan base been sorely tested?
10 Jeff BEWKES & Chris ALBRECHT Chairman-CEO, HBO; President, HBO Original Programming LAST YEAR - 21
AGES 49/49 CREDITS Why is every producer in town dying to work for them? Why is every broadcast net running scared? It's simple: These guys boast the most talked-about slate of series on the dial (The Sopranos, Sex and the City, Six Feet Under), a buzz bin of made-for-TV movies (Wit, 61*, Dinner With Friends) and the most Emmy noms of any network (94). DEBITS After a big debut, ratings for the $125 million Hanks-Spielberg Band of Brothers have trailed off; The Mind of the Married Man is no Sex and the City.
11 Katie COURIC Coanchor LAST YEAR - --
AGE 44 CREDITS Girl-next-door sex appeal and an unrivaled ability to grill any guest has everybody (the 6.4 million viewers who watch NBC's top-rated cash cow, and every other broadcast network and syndication company in town) wanting her. With her $28 million contract expiring next year, America's Sweetheart could hold the Peacock hostage. DEBITS Why would she want to leave the best job in TV? And if she chooses a syndicated talker, going up against Sally Jessy and Ricki, industry wags say she may lose credibility.
12 Bob & Harvey WEINSTEIN Cochairmen, Miramax Films LAST YEAR - 8/22
AGES 47/49 CREDITS They're starting to look invincible: One Dimension Films franchise fades (Scary Movie), another appears (Spy Kids). Low-cost, high-return hits in Bridget Jones and The Others. They have a chunk of a little trilogy called Lord of the Rings and Broadway's The Producers. DEBITS Its PR team deserves a medal for Chocolat's Oscar campaign, but Harvey's strong-arm tactics are wearing thin; O lawsuit was ugly; Gangs of New York, its biggest-budgeted film to date, looks to be falling out of this year's Oscar race.
13 Jamie KELLNER Chairman-CEO, TBS Inc. LAST YEAR - --
AGE 54 CREDITS His rep as a TV pioneer (built teen magnets The WB and Fox from scratch into the darlings of Madison Avenue) prompted AOL Time Warner Co-COO Bob Pittman to anoint him head of Turner Broadcasting, overseeing TNT, TBS, CNN, The WB, and The Cartoon Network. First big move: attracting top talent (Lou Dobbs, Aaron Brown, Paula Zahn) to ailing CNN, which has tripled its prime-time viewers since Sept. 11. DEBITS The WB is expected to turn a profit this season but had to lose Buffy to do it.
14 Sandy GRUSHOW Chairman, Fox Television Entertainment Group LAST YEAR - 36
AGE 41 CREDITS Aggressive exec oversees revitalized Fox net and hottest production house, Twentieth Century Fox TV, home to stable of profitable hits (The Practice, The X-Files, The Simpsons) and the most new fall shows (like critical fave 24). Hard-nosed negotiating with The WB scored Buffy a lucrative new crypt at UPN. Persuaded David E. Kelley to develop Boston Public, Fox's fastest-growing drama. Spared us another season of Boot Camp. DEBITS Just can't say no to Chris Carter (see Harsh Realm, The Lone Gunmen).
15 JK ROWLING Author LAST YEAR - 5
AGE 36 CREDITS Chris Columbus' Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, the first of her boy wizard books, is the movie event of 2001, and her four Potter novels to date still sit near the top of any best-sellers list. She could have done almost nothing all year and remained publishing's biggest power... DEBITS ...which is exactly what she did, putting fans through their longest wait ever (Potter book 5 won't hit until next year). Yes, she did publish two companion books for charity, making millions for Comic Relief U.K., but somehow it's not the same.
16 Jeff ZUCKER President, NBC Entertainment LAST YEAR - --
AGE 35 CREDITS Former Today show wunderkind rejuvenates prime time; controversial choice to air Fear Factor and Spy TV gave NBC summer life and helped the net hang on to two titles: most profitable and No. 1 with young viewers. Supersize Friends was a smart gimmick (show hung on to its core audience against Survivor 2). Healthy starts for Scrubs, Crossing Jordan. DEBITS A tasteless Emeril, Weakest Link is weakening, and contracts are up next year for Friends--speaking of which, Zucker's not making many with his cocky style.
17 Tom ROTHMAN & Jim GIANOPULOS Chairmen, Fox Filmed Entertainment LAST YEAR - 24
AGES 47/49 CREDITS Pairing auteurs with commercial material (think Bryan Singer's X-Men) paid off again with Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes. Gutsily opened Oscar contender Moulin Rouge in summer. Easy bet for next summer's market share crown with Minority Report and Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones. DEBITS Mariah Carey didn't Glitter. Should slap production ally New Regency for siccing Freddy Got Fingered on them. Like X-Men, rushed Apes, resulting in a film many saw but few loved.
18 Thomas D. MOTTOLA Chairman-CEO, Sony Music Entertainment LAST YEAR - 30
AGE 51 CREDITS Destiny's Child, Sade, Jennifer Lopez--the ladies all brought home the bacon for Uncle Tommy, and the boys (Train, Incubus) weren't all that shabby, either; hits compilation series Now That's What I Call Music 6 rang the multiplatinum bell. DEBITS He may wind up with egg on his face if Michael Jackson's reported $30 million Invincible lays one; the ex-Mr. Mariah Carey's troubles with the fairer sex continued with the embarrassing suit/countersuit between Sony and the Dixie Chicks.
19 Steven SODERBERGH Producer-Director-Cinematographer LAST YEAR - 95
AGE 38 CREDITS Traffic and Erin Brockovich rang up 10 Oscar nominations and 5 wins--including his double directing nod, the first time that's happened since 1939 (he won for Traffic). The Ocean's 11 cast is a veritable sea of A-listers, including Julia Roberts (who's signed on for his unofficial sex, lies & videotape sequel). Section Eight, his production company with George Clooney, is a hotbed of hot projects, including Chris Nolan's (Memento) next pic. Everyone wants to work with him. And he's a nice guy. Jesus. DEBITS (cue crickets)
20 Mel GIBSON Actor-Director-Producer LAST YEAR - 44
AGE 45 CREDITS What's an aging action hero to do? Laugh all the way to the bank: What Women Want, Gibson's first romantic comedy, grossed a serious $183 million domestically. The actor exhibits trademark career savvy by following with the upcoming Vietnam war drama, We Were Soldiers; backed by his Icon shingle, Gibson scores a producer's fee on top of hefty $25 million acting check. DEBITS Will Americans be avoiding war films? His dream of directing Fahrenheit 451 went down in flames (Frank Darabont is now attached).
21 John WELLS TV Producer LAST YEAR - 26
AGE 45 CREDITS The producer with the most shows on network TV (ER, The West Wing, Third Watch, Citizen Baines) managed--as president of the Writers Guild of America West--to help save the industry from a potentially devastating strike between writers and the studios. In his spare time, he's in postproduction on two films: White Oleander and Double Down. DEBITS Third Watch sorely needs a breakout year; low-rated Baines may not last. Choosing to avoid pay raises for West Wing's scribes tarnished writer's advocate image.
22 Gail BERMAN President, Fox Entertainment LAST YEAR - --
AGE 44 CREDITS Fox was the only serious challenger to NBC's 18-to-49 supremacy last season. And Berman, the only producer- turned-network president (responsible for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Malcolm in the Middle while at Regency Television), developed the most critically acclaimed fall slate: 24, The Tick, The Bernie Mac Show, and Undeclared, which is already showing promise. DEBITS Last season's Temptation Island was a sleazy joy, but the sleaze went overboard on Love Cruise.
23 Russell CROWE Actor-Producer-Director LAST YEAR - 15
AGE 37 CREDITS After Gladiator unleashed $449 million worth of hell at the box office worldwide (not to mention an Oscar for Crowe), he wisely signed up to play a Nobel Prize-winning schizophrenic in A Beautiful Mind--Universal's juiciest Oscar bait for 2001. (Can he pull off a Hanksian repeat?) Coming up: The actor directs himself in the war film The Long Green Shore, which he also wrote and will produce. DEBITS Proof of Life was proof of death at multiplexes, which no doubt made a few paparazzi very happy.
24 Stephen KING Author LAST YEAR - 13
AGE 54 CREDITS Shock-meister still has the stuff: Talisman sequel Black House hit No. 1 the same day it went on sale, while Hearts in Atlantis set up house on the paperback best-seller list. Book-to- movie-adaptation ratio also going strong, as Lawrence Kasdan agrees to direct Dreamcatcher. Not one to slow down, King is penning two hour-long episodes of an ABC horror series, The Kingdom (based on the Lars Von Trier TV drama); his next novel, From a Buick 8, is due in March. DEBITS Fave team, the Boston Red Sox, remains cursed.
25 Dick WOLF TV Producer LAST YEAR - 27
AGE 54 CREDITS Witness the long arm of the Law & Order franchise: The original series--now in season 12--is enjoying its highest ratings ever (it's currently No. 5), third-year spin-off SVU is locking up viewers on Fridays, and now there's Criminal Intent; he's also producing Trial & Error, an NBC midseason "dramamentary" about real-life prosecutors. DEBITS Syndicated series Arrest & Trial is a bust (as was last fall's drama Deadline); invested nearly a year developing an NBC miniseries about bioterrorism in NYC that was scrapped after Sept. 11.
26 Alan HORN & Lorenzo di BONAVENTURA President-COO, Warner Bros.; President, Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures LAST YEAR - 16
AGES 58/44 CREDITS Slag Spielberg's muddled A.I. all you want, but WB managed to stage a $29 million opening. Harry Potter and Ocean's 11 should salvage an otherwise dreadful year (Osmosis Jones, Angel Eyes, Valentine). DEBITS Horn displays mainstream smarts (Miss Congeniality) and a nose for franchises (Cats & Dogs), but studio often seems rudderless. Insiders say di Bonaventura--crucial to relationships with Village Roadshow (Analyze This), Joel Silver (The Matrix)--is itching for Horn's job. How long will he be patient?
27 Brian BECKER Chairman-CEO, Clear Channel Entertainment LAST YEAR - 82
AGE 44 CREDITS Conglomerate (formerly SFX) controls 70 percent of U.S. concert biz and is behind nearly all of music's top-grossing tours (Madonna, U2, Janet, 'N Sync). Production unit spawned hit movie Hardball; theatrical division coproduced The Producers. Growing interests in venue ownership. DEBITS Philip Anschutz's Concerts West is taking a run at Channel, snatching the Britney tour out from under them. High guarantees to artists mean ever-higher ticket prices--and too many empty seats in an economic downturn.
28 Stu BLOOMBERG & Lloyd BRAUN Cochairmen, ABC Entertainment Television Group LAST YEAR - 34
AGES 52/43 CREDITS There's some good news: Drama development--finally a priority--paid off with two modest hits, Alias and Thieves. Good move sparing critical darling Once and Again. DEBITS With just one top 10 show this season so far (Monday Night Football), the third-place net desperately needs more Practice-size hits--which the painful Jason Alexander sitcom Bob Patterson and Philly definitely are not. Mole II is getting buried by time-slot competitor Providence. If The Runner doesn't fly, they're in trouble.
29 Jim CARREY Actor LAST YEAR - 42
AGE 39 CREDITS Grinch's $260 million gross proved even thick makeup and a bodysuit can't obscure his popularity in broad comedy. A quest for serious thespian cred could finally succeed with The Majestic, a promising (as in Oscar talk for Carrey) Capra-esque Christmas release from Frank Darabont (The Green Mile). DEBITS Currently no projects on deck. Me, Myself & Irene hinted that audiences won't accept a manic Carrey blindly. If tender Majestic is sent to Boo-ville, he should have a carefully chosen comedy ready.
30 Jimmy IOVINE Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M Records LAST YEAR - 38
AGE 48 CREDITS Moved up to assume chairmanship of a musical empire that includes Eminem, Dr. Dre, Limp Bizkit, and other platinum-selling biggies; was a key player in organizing the post-disaster America: A Tribute to Heroes telethon (Interscope may release the CD version). DEBITS Jimmy and Doug's Farmclub.com website/label/TV show (cocreated with Doug Morris) bought the farm; Interscope's macho-man roster might be out of step with the new American sentiment--even Fred Durst is talking sensitivity.
31 Ridley SCOTT Producer-Director LAST YEAR - RISING
AGE 63 CREDITS After reeling off Gladiator and Hannibal back-to-back--grabbing a Best Picture Oscar and a combined $353 million in U.S. box office in the process--Scott has catapulted himself in two short years back into the Hollywood elite. He's wrapped Black Hawk Down, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. He's got a piece of Red Dragon. And after a fierce bidding war, Scott Free (his production company with brother Tony) just landed a first-look deal at Fox. DEBITS Runs like this never last. Or do they?
32 Richard COOK Chairman, Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group LAST YEAR - --
AGE 51 CREDITS The Princess Diaries was a regal surprise, Pearl Harbor's numbers won't live in infamy (it even turned a profit), hopes are high for The Royal Tenenbaums and Monsters, Inc., and they still have strong execs (Nina Jacobson, Tom Schumacher). DEBITS Some troubles were due to bad luck (Bad Company, Big Trouble bumped after Sept. 11). Ugly b.o. (Bubble Boy, 102 Dalmatians), an exec shake-up (Walt Disney Studios' chair Peter Schneider resigned), and an animation team producing bland fare like Atlantis: The Lost Empire were not.
33 Judy McGRATH & John SYKES President, MTV Group; President, VH1 and CMT LAST YEAR - 37
AGES 49/46 CREDITS MTV's power to market music and shape the pop landscape is still without equal. TRL remains critical for bands and actors hyping PG-13 projects--especially the net's own (Save the Last Dance was a $91 million hit). Expanded MTV.com picked up Napster's slack. VH1's growing slate of original shows and news makes it more than just a Leif Garrett sob-story stop. DEBITS As teen pop fades, so may the screams for TRL; MTV can't make all its films hits: Witness Pootie Tang (on second thought, don't).
34 Ron HOWARD & Brian GRAZER Chairmen, Imagine Entertainment LAST YEAR - 41
AGES 47/50 CREDITS Only some of the biggest b.o. of 2000. Adding the $260 million haul of Grinch (which Howard directed) to Nutty Professor II's $123 million makes Grazer one of the highest-grossing producers of the last year. Oscar buzz is already building for Russell Crowe in the Howard-directed A Beautiful Mind (Dec. 25). TV arm has hot fall series 24. In the wings: The Cat in the Hat. DEBITS More a home for mainstream fare than artistic daring, though their Curtis Hanson/Eminem project could change that.
35 Don IENNER Chairman, Columbia Records Group LAST YEAR - 39
AGE 50 CREDITS Maintained label's winning formula of class (Bob Dylan's Love and Theft, Bruce Springsteen's Live in New York City) and cash (hit discs from Destiny's Child, Crazy Town, Train, Maxwell, etc.). Promotional commitment to artier acts like Cake, and Five for Fighting paid off with modest hits. Mariah Carey's post-Columbia career meltdown makes label look smart for letting her leave. DEBITS Couldn't squeeze a second hit album out of Ricky Martin. Also failed to get any pop out of fading teen star Jessica Simpson.
36 Peter ROTH President, Warner Bros. Television LAST YEAR - 40
AGE 50 CREDITS Most profitable studio is home to Friends, ER, and The West Wing as well as hitmakers Jerry Bruckheimer, Tollin/ Robbins, and Will & Grace's David Kohan and Max Mutchnick. Critics love Smallville and Thieves, and Aaron Sorkin promises to create another show for 2002 or 2003. DEBITS The last successful comedy to come out of the studio was The Drew Carey Show (Nikki doesn't count). Astronomical deal with Dharma & Greg cocreator Chuck Lorre has yet to yield results.
37 Roger AMES Chairman-CEO, Warner Music Group LAST YEAR - 32
AGE 52 CREDITS Ailing Elektra back on track with hits from Staind, Missy Elliott, Gerald Levert. Revamped Warner Bros. Records executive team finally in place now that former Interscope Geffen A&M exec Tom Whalley is on board as chairman. Unexpectedly successful Linkin Park CD proved commercial bright spot on famously graying rock roster. DEBITS That graying rock roster: New discs from Eric Clapton, Stevie Nicks, R.E.M., Depeche Mode mostly met with yawns.
38 'N SYNC & Britney SPEARS Pop Stars-Actors LAST YEAR - 54/20
AGES 20-30/19 CREDITS Teen pop ain't over till it's over, and a 1.9-million-unit opening week for 'N Sync's Celebrity suggested there won't be any fat lady singing at TRL soon; response to upcoming Lance-'n'-Joey movie will determine solo careers beyond Justin's. Britney's only slightly less iconic than Madonna--or Pepsi (reportedly paying her an estimated $2 million a year). DEBITS Radio hasn't gotten behind Celebrity, and Spears' Nov. 6 album may also meet resistance.
39 Denzel WASHINGTON Actor LAST YEAR - --
AGE 46 CREDITS The past year brought the two biggest opening weekends of his 20-year career: last fall's Remember the Titans ($20.9 million) and this month's Training Day ($22.6 million); the latter tour de force performance has placed him at the forefront of 2001's Best Actor race. Now shooting his directorial debut, The Antwone Fisher Story, for Fox Searchlight. DEBITS Still hasn't successfully branched out with lighter roles. His next film, New Line thriller John Q, was pushed to February 2002.
40 Madonna Singer-Actress/Co-CEO, Maverick Recording Co. LAST YEAR - 31
AGE 43 CREDITS Drowned World Tour 2001, her first since '93, was well received by critics and accountants alike; probably no other artist alive--much less one in her 40s--could instantly sell out an arena tour with ducats priced up to $250. The upcoming second "best-of" should do well. DEBITS The so-so 2.7 million-selling Music hardly justifies expensive follies like hubby Guy Ritchie's unairable "What It Feels Like for a Girl" video; his upcoming Wertmuller remake unlikely to revive her acting career. Maverick label is a weak hand.
41 George CLOONEY Actor-Producer-Director LAST YEAR - 43
AGE 40 CREDITS Ambitious little devil, this one. Cult charmer O Brother, Where Art Thou? boosted his acting cred (his mantel got a Golden Globe); he's primed to direct Charlie Kaufman's much-lauded script Confessions of a Dangerous Mind; his Section Eight production company (with partner Steven Soderbergh) is behind quirky indies (like the upcoming Welcome to Collinwood) and mainstreamers (Soderbergh's highly anticipated Ocean's 11 remake, in which Clooney also stars). DEBITS Too bad about those looks.
42 Creative Artists Agency Talent Agency LAST YEAR - 47
CREDITS When the list of clients includes both Toms, Gwyneth, Sandra, and Will, plus helmers Chris Columbus and Michael Mann, you've got quite a lead. Supreme team packager of talent is synergistic model for rival talent agencies; plans to package TV series with advertisers could generate income in a sluggish economy. DEBITS Two words: Patrick Whitesell. When the superstar agent bolted for Endeavor, CAA lost the brightest of its non-partnered agents. Don't hold your breath getting the agency to admit that, however.
43 Clive CALDER Chairman-CEO, Zomba Group of Companies LAST YEAR - 33
AGE 54 CREDITS Reported annual sales of $1.2 billion. Holding distributor BMG over a lucrative barrel with option to exit their deal next year. Still enjoying spoils of spiriting 'N Sync away from RCA. R. Kelly and Tool are fail-safe standbys if boy-band scene implodes. DEBITS Backstreet arena tour far-from-SRO even before rehab time-out. Aaron Carter follow-up stiffed. With no immediate contenders to expand the teen-pop franchise, a lot rides on whether the public can stomach Britney's increasingly trampy vibe.
44 George LUCAS King of the Clones LAST YEAR - 23
AGE 57 CREDITS Spent year fine-tuning next summer's preordained megahit Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones. Impressively upgraded starwars.com, which is chockablock with Episode II teases. Rumored to be scaling back on the sequel's merchandising--smart. Meanwhile, his Industrial Light & Magic toiled brilliantly for Spielberg (A.I.) and Chris Columbus (Harry Potter). DEBITS Attack of the Clones? Who writes this stuff? (Oh, wait--he does.) Early Internet buzz on Episode II: Action scenes rock; dramatic scenes do not.
45 Amy PASCAL Chairman, Columbia Pictures LAST YEAR - 45
AGE 43 CREDITS Aside from jiggle juggernaut Charlie's Angels, there's not much to crow about. Still, the future looks bright: Will Smith's Ali, as well as popcorn slam dunks Spider-Man, Men in Black II, and another Angels. Now that boss John Calley has re-upped until March 2003, Pascal can quit worrying about succession rumors. DEBITS Despite her rep for excellent taste, we got dumb (A Knight's Tale) and dumber (Joe Dirt). Final Fantasy, though revolutionary, was a pricey belly flop. And that fake-critic ad scandal was plain ol' shameful.
46 Nicole KIDMAN Actress LAST YEAR - --
AGE 34 CREDITS Moulin Rouge and The Others proved that Hollywood's most daring actress can open a film Stateside and overseas. Oscar is buzzing. Nasty split from Tom hurt him more than her. Following up strong with the classy drama The Hours and darkly comic Birthday Girl. DEBITS Exhausted, she's scaling back: Turned down George Clooney's Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. May only produce Jane Campion's sexy thriller In the Cut. A taste for edgy projects (next: Lars von Trier's Dogville) may hinder Julia-style b.o.
47 Alex YEMENIDJIAN & Chris MCGURK Chairman-CEO; Vice Chairman-COO, MGM LAST YEAR - 52
AGES 45/44 CREDITS Not only was the studio profitable for the second year in a row, it's been breaking box office records: Hannibal had the biggest opening for an R-rated film ever; Jeepers Creepers, the biggest Labor Day weekend. Then there was that little runaway surprise Legally Blonde (which got an able assist from marketing head/smart new hire Bob Levin). DEBITS Thanks to its cash cow of a film library, MGM can keep its production slate small--making stinkers like Original Sin all the more obvious.
48 Michael LYNNE & Robert SHAYE Cochairmen-Co-CEOs, New Line Cinema LAST YEAR - 29
AGES 60/62 CREDITS Lord of the Rings is a potential blockbuster franchise. Rush Hour 2's $222 million b.o. biggest in studio's history. DEBITS One hit doesn't make up for deadwood slate and internal chaos, with 100 layoffs in wake of AOL Time Warner merger. Replacing production prexy Mike De Luca (blamed for Little Nicky, Town & Country) with relative newbie Toby Emmerich was a way to reassert control, but he's no De Luca...yet. If Rings doesn't click, New Line could flatline--even with third Austin Powers on deck.
49 Jerry BRUCKHEIMER Producer LAST YEAR - 53
AGE 56 CREDITS Who'da thunk Hollywood's flashiest purveyor of big-screen spectacle would have his sweetest success on the small screen? Thanks to his CSI, Bruckheimer just snagged a juicy development deal with CBS. And, when all was said and done, his pricey scapegoat Pearl Harbor ended up big here and huge overseas. DEBITS Pearl Harbor didn't exactly earn Bruckheimer the Spielbergian respectability he was hoping for. How will the combat drama Black Hawk Down fare in the current geopolitical climate?
50 Jim WIATT President-Co-CEO, William Morris Agency LAST YEAR - 48
AGE 54 CREDITS Two years into his presidency, he continues to revitalize the once-tired agency--often through luring away former ICM colleagues (and their clients); strong actor list includes heavyweights (Eddie Murphy, Ray Romano, Billy Crystal) and up-and-comers (Hilary Swank, Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett); packaging Big Brother and Mole, the agency dominates the reality genre. DEBITS A very tenuous hold on the No. 2 agency spot (see Endeavor, UTA); more CAA-like synergy wouldn't hurt.
51 Eminem Rap Artist-Producer LAST YEAR - 19
AGE 28 CREDITS Parlayed notoriety into his own record label and a movie career. Shady Records' first release, Devils Night--featuring Eminem with D12, his Detroit crew--debuted at No. 1, selling 372,000 copies in its first week. Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential) will direct the rapper's untitled starring debut, with Kim Basinger as Mathers' beleaguered mother. DEBITS Remains to be seen whether Slim Shady's angry, victimized posturing still plays in the wake of terrorism.
52 Will SMITH Actor-Rapper LAST YEAR - 67
AGE 33 CREDITS Boasts the best upcoming one-two punch in Hollywood: December's prestigious Michael Mann biopic Ali followed by next summer's no-lose sequel Men in Black II (the first one only earned $588 million worldwide). Early gossip says the former Fresh Prince may be an Oscar nominee come February. DEBITS But that's what we kept hearing last year, before The Legend of Bagger Vance (in which he played a golf caddy some critics deemed offensive) bogeyed at the box office and earned not one nod.
53 Joe ROTH Founder, Revolution Studios LAST YEAR - 11
AGE 53 CREDITS Audiences saw The Animal despite critics' warnings ($56 million). With Paul Thomas Anderson's next film and Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down, the future looks brighter. DEBITS Still, it was a tough first year for the industry golden boy and his studio: first, a boneheaded comedy (Tomcats), then Roth's return to directing (America's Sweethearts--which managed to do the unimaginable: make Julia Roberts look bad). Let's hope it was just growing pains: On the other hand, there's the upcoming loser romp The New Guy.
54 Eddie MURPHY Actor-Producer LAST YEAR - 73
AGE 40 CREDITS Who knew playing an ass would prove such a smart career move? His diarrhea-mouthed Shrek donkey (actual character name: Donkey) provided the biggest laughs in the year's No. 1 film ($265 million so far). No-brainer Dr. Dolittle 2 also scored $113 million domestic. Hee-ha! DEBITS Sci-fi comedy The Adventures of Pluto Nash, which failed to attract Jennifer Lopez or Halle Berry, was delayed till January 2002--never a good sign. With all the talking animals and special effects, his live-action stuff is beginning to play like cartoons.
55 Endeavor Talent Agency LAST YEAR - 92
CREDITS Boldest and youngest of 10-percenteries is becoming the agency everyone wants to do business with: Impressive TV division--David E. Kelley, Aaron Sorkin, the Turners--attracts rising talent. Largely thanks to new partner Patrick Whitesell, formerly weak talent division boasts strong list of under-35s (Drew Barrymore, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Vin Diesel). DEBITS CAA-style arrogance could backfire and blow deals. Some say agency, with its 10 partners, suffers from "too many chiefs, not enough Indians" syndrome.
56 Drew BARRYMORE Actress-Producer LAST YEAR - 78
AGE 26 CREDITS With the underrated Charlie's Angels, she proved she could produce a box office smash (along with partner Nancy Juvonen, cohead of their Flower Films production company). What she intends to prove with her planned Barbarella update is anybody's guess, but there isn't a studio in town that wouldn't pay to find out. DEBITS Even Drew might be able to open the sap-fest Riding in Cars With Boys, but she won't win any MTV movie awards. Should probably keep husband Tom Green out of future films.
57 Peter OLSON Chairman-CEO, Random House LAST YEAR - 58
AGE 51 CREDITS With a nearly 10-percent bump in worldwide revenues, a record number of New York Times best-sellers (169), and some nice awards (Pulitzers for Kavalier & Clay and Founding Brothers; NBCC prizes to Ted Conover, Cynthia Ozick), his hands-off approach has paid off. DEBITS Embroiled in high-profile suit against e-book publisher RosettaBooks. Flagship Random House imprint is said to be in red, despite sleeper hit Seabiscuit and blockbuster Black House. Expect more ousters a la 1999's Delacorte housecleaning.
58 Jeff BERG Chairman-CEO, International Creative Management LAST YEAR - 50
AGE 54 CREDITS William Morris continues to lure clients, but Julia, Mel, Denzel, and Cameron have stayed true; promising hunk-of-the-moment Paul Walker just signed; still has big-screen helmers from edgy innovators (Baz Luhrmann, Darren Aronofsky) to classics (Woody Allen); packaging of Fellowship of the Ring and sequels promises big rewards. DEBITS When the most high-profile new signings are Sylvester Stallone and Sean Penn, it's not a good year; seen as weak in writers; rumors that agency is being sold or merged don't help.
59 Jim CAPARRO & Lyor COHEN Chairman-CEO; President, Island Def Jam Music Group LAST YEAR - 56
AGES 49/41 CREDITS IDJ continues to dominate the competition, offering the year's deadliest one-two-three-four combo of rap releases: Jay-Z, Ja Rule, DMX, and Ludacris (all this fall). And with the July acquisition of Roadrunner (home to Slipknot and Nickelback), the hip-hop heavyweight vastly improved its holdings in the rock world as well. DEBITS Despite the roster of rap all-stars, most of the exciting newcomers (Fabolous, Petey Pablo, Coo Coo Cal) record for other labels, suggesting IDJ may be past its innovative prime.
60 United Talent Agency Talent Agency LAST YEAR - 65
CREDITS Feisty agents keep the impressively aggressive agency competitive in writing and directing talent (M. Night Shyamalan, Paul Thomas Anderson, Stephen Gaghan, Wes Anderson, Christopher Nolan, and Ben Stiller); television department stirs envy (Dick Wolf, David Chase, Tom Fontana, Joss Whedon, and Alan Ball); music got big boost with addition of former CAA heavyweight Rob Prinz. DEBITS A so-so movie list keeps this up-and-comer from besting ICM--for now.
61 Ang LEE Director LAST YEAR - --
AGE 47 CREDITS Just when we thought movies had lost their ability to evoke wonder, Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon made us believe people could fly; Tiger helped make Gotham-based production company Good Machine into a boutique to watch, nabbed 10 Oscar nominations, and turned Mandarin into moola ($128 million at the b.o.). Speaking of green, Mr. Versatility's upcoming projects include an adaptation of Marvel Comics' The Incredible Hulk. DEBITS Just one: We have to wait till '03 for Hulk.
62 Roger AILES Chairman-CEO, Fox News LAST YEAR - --
AGE 61 CREDITS The once-mocked net turned a profit after four years thanks to his carefully stocked stable of punchy pundits (most notably Bill O'Reilly). Now CNN is aping FNC's style and hiring its talent (Paula Zahn)--the ultimate compliment; Ailes retaliated by nabbing CNN's man in Afghanistan, Steve Harrigan. DEBITS FNC's barking anchors thrived during the election morass and Gary Condit scandal, but suffer when field news is breaking; Fox is in bad shape for war coverage: Harrigan is their only man in Afghanistan.
63 Jane FRIEDMAN President-CEO, HarperCollins Publishers LAST YEAR - 57
AGE 56 CREDITS Her bent for best-sellers helped News Corp.'s books division hold its own, with HC capturing marquee names (Michael Crichton, Elmore Leonard) from rival Random House Inc., launching U.S. imprint of new British acquisition Fourth Estate, and making money: operating profits up 25 percent over last year, to a healthy $111 million. Children's division scored major hit with Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. DEBITS Paid reported $40 million for two books by Crichton. He's popular, but that popular?
64 David E. KELLEY Writer-Producer LAST YEAR - 63
AGE 45 CREDITS Kelley's choice to cast Robert Downey Jr. as Ally McBeal's love interest was the smartest creative decision since that dancing baby. Fox hit Boston Public looks poised for more growth; ABC's The Practice remains a time-slot winner in season 6. DEBITS Although Downey gave Ally McBeal a creative shot in the arm, his stint did little to stimulate the dramedy's ratings; the actor's April 2001 arrest in Culver City forced Kelley to abruptly write out the best thing about the show.
65 Hilary ROSEN President-CEO, Recording Industry Association of America LAST YEAR - 96
AGE 42 CREDITS Finally defeated once-mighty Napster; huge RIAA court victory forced the notorious music-file swapping site to shut down until it can work out licensing deals to pay record companies for their copyrighted music. Proven to be an outspoken and articulate advocate for the music industry on hot-button issues ranging from free speech to antipiracy. DEBITS Gnutella, Aimster, and other defiant free-music networks are still alive and swapping (the RIAA has lawsuits pending against some).
66 Geoffrey GILMORE, Piers HANDLING, Gilles JACOB Film festival directors, Sundance, Toronto, Cannes LAST YEAR - --/--/--
AGES 51/52/70 CREDITS Behind-the-scenes tastemakers who can make or break a movie--indie or mainstream. Filmmakers and execs kowtow with good reason: Toronto launched Memento and American Beauty, Sundance launched Steven Soderbergh and Neil LaBute, and Cannes creates worldwide buzz. DEBITS Festival fever means faves don't necessarily track in the real world; internal politics are rife with rumors that Jacob is leaving and Gilmore will go Hollywood.
67 Aaron SORKIN Writer-Producer LAST YEAR - 62
AGE 40 CREDITS His controversial decision to write a West Wing episode responding to the events of Sept. 11 delivered the show some of its highest ratings ever, and the momentum continues. His creation scored an impressive 18 Emmy nominations for the 2000-01 season. DEBITS Landslide ratings for the terrorism episode did not translate into critical raves: Many felt the tone was preachy and overwrought--a tendency the show needs to watch in season 3. Something else for Sorkin to avoid: those trips to Vegas.
68 Mark BURNETT Executive Producer LAST YEAR - 81
AGE 41 CREDITS Buoyed by Colby's intriguing mother complex, Burnett's second Survivor installment, the No. 1 show last season, managed to mount the first successful challenge to NBC's Must See Thursday-night lineup. DEBITS Burnett's plans for Destination Space may have disintegrated along with the Mir. And with America's appetite for reality seemingly peaking (Survivor: Africa's debut was strong, but down from last year's average), his other projects--Combat Missions and Eco-Challenge (both for USA)--could have trouble surviving.
69 Bruce BERMAN Chairman-CEO, Village Roadshow Pictures LAST YEAR - 71
AGE 49 CREDITS Established Aussie-owned Roadshow as a crucial production/financing cog in the WB machine. Ramped up to 12 pics this year, with varying degrees of investment in Cats & Dogs, Training Day, and Hearts in Atlantis. Upcoming: Ocean's 11. More than just a moneyman, Berman's marketing savvy and clout are prized by filmmakers. DEBITS Upcoming slate includes two bumped-around flicks: The Adventures of Pluto Nash and Queen of the Damned, starring the late Aaliyah--sure to be a marketing headache.
70 Jackie CHAN Actor LAST YEAR - --
AGE 47 CREDITS The pool of Hollywood stars who can routinely "open" a movie gets shallower by the week. So when Rush Hour 2 did $221 million (and counting), Chan joined an elite dojo, shoulder to shoulder with the two Toms and Julia. Seems he's also a one-man franchise machine: After a Shanghai Noon sequel (Shanghai Knights), look for an inevitable Rush Hour 3. DEBITS Stepping into Jerry Lewis' clown shoes in a Bellboy remake sounds iffy. Jet Li, take note: At 47, how long can Chan continue doing his own stunts?
71 Jordan LEVIN President, Entertainment, The WB LAST YEAR - --
AGE 34 CREDITS The only net to post major gains in ad sales this year. Got kudos from critics for Gilmore Girls and from viewers for Popstars (which also scored record sales). New sitcom Reba helped deliver net's best-ever Friday-night numbers; Smallville should keep the teens hot and bothered. DEBITS Angel's not looking as celestial without Buffy; the kids of Dawson's Creek are almost up one; and fall's comedy offerings Off Centre and Men, Women & Dogs are laughable, but for all the wrong reasons.
72 David LETTERMAN TV Host/Producer LAST YEAR - 83
AGE 54 CREDITS From codger to comforter: In his TV return after Sept. 11, the irony-clad host skillfully calmed a jittery TV nation with his heartfelt opening remarks (he also reassured us that yes, it was still all right to make fun of Regis Philbin). Letterman's subsequent shows garnered some of the best reviews--and ratings--of his career. Letterman's Worldwide Pants produces hits for CBS (Everybody Loves Raymond) and NBC (Ed). DEBITS He may be scoring big ratings for now, but Leno has been ahead all year.
73 Jay LENO TV Host LAST YEAR - --
AGE 51 CREDITS The genial host has been No. 1 in late night for six years running (his contract keeps him at The Tonight Show through 2005). That popularity carries over to his day job: Busy standup schedule generates nearly as much income as his reported eight-figure NBC salary. He gives America what they want... DEBITS ...but also gets no lovin' from critics for playing to the cheap seats. It didn't help that Leno had the unenviable task of following a pitch-perfect David Letterman after the Sept. 11 attacks.
74 Bruce WILLIS Actor LAST YEAR - 9
AGE 46 CREDITS After achieving Travolta-style movie ubiquity in 1999-2000 (The Sixth Sense, The Whole Nine Yards, Disney's The Kid, Unbreakable), Hollywood's most dependable $20 million workhorse laid low in 2001, dodging Travolta-style overexposure. Back in Bandits, his next big-budget top-liner, MGM's Hart's War, isn't until next year, followed by a three-picture deal with Revolution Studios. DEBITS Let's hope it pays off; Revolution's output thus far has been about as satisfying as a $10 burger from Planet Hollywood.
75 Jennifer LOPEZ Actress-Singer LAST YEAR - 86
AGE 31 CREDITS The first woman to have a No. 1 movie (The Wedding Planner) and non-soundtrack record (J.Lo) in the same week. Now wants to conquer TV (her NBC deal includes a sitcom and TV specials) and fashion (teamed up with Andy Hilfiger to design her own line). Distanced herself from bad press by blowing off P. Diddy and marrying comparatively innocuous choreographer Cris Judd. DEBITS Angel Eyes did unheavenly business; maybe that explains the hissy fit over a rubber puppet at MTV's Video Music Awards.
76 Ray ROMANO & Philip ROSENTHAL Actor-Executive Producer; Executive Producer, Everybody Loves Raymond LAST YEAR - --/--
AGES 43/41 CREDITS What's not to love? TV's No. 2 comedy has raised its numbers every season (and is off to a nice syndie start); CBS paid a reported $140 million-plus to renew for two more years; Romano's new deal makes him one of the highest-paid tube actors; Rosenthal is emerging as a behind-the-scenes player (directing Clinton's hilarious White House Correspondents' dinner video and writing tributes for recent celeb telethon). DEBITS Romano's film Bridge and Tunnel wasn't done in time to shoot this summer. Big debit, right?
77 Jack ROMANOS & Carolyn K. REIDY President and COO, Simon & Schuster Inc.; President, Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group LAST YEAR - --/--
AGES 58/52 CREDITS Despite intermittent rumors of impending sale by parent Viacom, house continued to build on its rep for serious nonfiction, snagging Hillary Clinton's memoirs and making oft-overlooked American president John Adams into blockbuster material. Strong commercial fiction--Mary Higgins Clark, Ed McBain--complements literary Scribner imprint, which didn't embarrass itself too much with Anne Heche's autobiography. DEBITS Hillary's $8 million may prove risky business.
78 Arthur A. LEVINE Vice President and Editorial Director, Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic LAST YEAR - --
AGE 39 CREDITS Quality children's-lit editor with his finger on the pulse of the 12-and-under set. Hit the commercial big time with Harry Potter (U.S. rights for the first book purchased for a mere $100,000), catapulting the lower-profile Scholastic to the No. 4 slot in revenues, behind behemoths HarperCollins and Penguin Putnam. Continues to aim high, publishing first children's book by Irish novelist Roddy Doyle. DEBITS How high can he fly with no new Potter until next year?
79 Clive DAVIS Chairman-CEO, J Records LAST YEAR - FLUX
AGE 68 CREDITS Demonstrated that there's life after Arista--a mighty rich one, in fact. J broke newcomer Alicia Keys faster than you can say "Fallin'" and racked up hits for O-Town and successes for Jimmy Cozier and Luther Vandross. Waiting in the wings: a new album from neo-soul gal Angie Stone, who traded Arista for J; and motormouth rapper Busta Rhymes, who defected from Elektra. DEBITS Yes, ageism is odious, but let's be real: How long can a senior citizen stay on top of a youth-driven market?
80 Harrison FORD Actor LAST YEAR - 51
AGE 59 CREDITS Those who say Ford's best years are behind him ought to check out his asking price, recently pegged at $25 million for the upcoming submarine drama K-19: The Widowmaker. What's more, his interest in another Indiana Jones installment might revive the franchise. If this guy says he can play Indy again as a sexagenarian, who's gonna contradict him? DEBITS Young audiences, for one. Having passed the Jack Ryan torch to Ben Affleck, maybe it's time for Ford to do the same with Dr. Jones.
81 Sex and the City's Women: Kim CATTRALL, Sarah Jessica PARKER, Cynthia NIXON, Kristin DAVIS Actresses LAST YEAR - --/--/--/--
AGES 45/36/35/36 CREDITS Emphatically prove there's showbiz life for women over 35. Ratings flourished in first half of season 4, and show earned 10 Emmy nods. Blame them for reviving stilettos, but they've launched enough trends to be players in fashion biz. Off-duty from orgasm debates, Parker has an ad gig with Nutrisse; Nixon got stage role in The Women. DEBITS An engagement, a baby, a functional relationship? The rest of season 4 is sounding awfully Lifetime.
82 Robert B. BARNETT Senior partner, Williams & Connolly law firm LAST YEAR - --
AGE 55 CREDITS Washington Uber-lawyer and Democratic Party loyalist has become inside-the-Beltway broker, negotiating two of the biggest deals of the year: Hillary's $8 million Simon & Schuster memoir and Bill's reported $10 million Knopf deal. High-powered clients include Jeff Greenfield and Sam Donaldson. Keeps 'em all happy charging only $600 hourly rate (no 15 percent commission), and he's bipartisan, repping VP wife Lynne Cheney. DEBITS Some insiders say he doesn't work New York literary landscape like a native.
83 Mike MYERS Actor-Writer LAST YEAR - FLUX
AGE 37 CREDITS Voiced the big green ogre Shrek, the highest-grossing movie of 2001. Certain to regain his title as the king of mojo next summer with Austin Powers in Goldmember--as close to a sure hit as you can get in the movie biz. His payday for cowriting, producing, and starring in it? A reported $25 million against 21 percent of the gross. DEBITS He's got a rep (as in his loony legal wranglings with Universal and Imagine over the now-defunct Dieter) for acting like a big green ogre.
84 Kelsey GRAMMER Actor-Producer LAST YEAR - --
AGE 46 CREDITS Other TV actors would be wise to take some Grammer lessons: In June, the Frasier star signed a record-breaking $75 million-plus deal, keeping him on the couch through 2004 (he's worth it, too; with Friends possibly moving out, NBC desperately needs the three-time Emmy winner's lynchpin sitcom). The UPN comedy Girlfriends, which he exec-produces, entered season 2. DEBITS He'll have to do better than UPN to launch a respectable producing career. As for big-screen cred, 15 Minutes got clocked at the box office.
85 Dean VALENTINE President-CEO, UPN LAST YEAR - --
AGE 47 CREDITS Dude, you're on this list for two reasons: luring Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Roswell from The WB, and greenlighting Enterprise, the latest Star Trek installment, whose debut yielded the highest numbers since your net bowed in '95 (12.5 million viewers). DEBITS But you're still in a shaky fifth place. And let's face it, all of your best shows were established franchises. Instead of suing your network for breach of contract (hello?), perhaps you should be focusing on developing a couple of solid shows of your own.
86 Ben STILLER Singer-Songwriter-Producer-Actress LAST YEAR - --
AGE 35 CREDITS Quadruple threat proved with Zoolander (developed through his on-the-rise Red Hour production company) that he can single-handedly open a movie. The blockbuster success of last year's Meet the Parents (a sequel is in development) means he's starred in two of the highest-grossing comedies of all time (There's Something About Mary being the other). DEBITS Zoolander is only a modest hit, suggesting his quirky brand of comedy may lack mass-market mojo of certain international man of mystery (see #83).
87 Beyonce KNOWLES Actor-Writer-Producer-Director LAST YEAR - --
AGE 20 CREDITS J. Lo, watch your back: Knowles coproduced and cowrote most of Destiny's Child's three-times-platinum Survivor; the group's "Say My Name" from The Writing's on the Wall, netted two Grammys; her acting debut in MTV's "hip-hopera" Carmen drew a fiery 3.1 million viewers and critical acclaim; in talks for female lead in Austin Powers 3; and she's inked a deal with L'Oreal to become a spokesperson. DEBITS Heavy rotation on MTV, plus Levi's, Candie's, and L'Oreal ads, is too much of even a bootylicious thing.
88 David CHASE Creator-Executive Producer, The Sopranos LAST YEAR - --
AGE 56 CREDITS Chase's angst-ridden gangster saga has raised the bar for TV quality, realism, and brutality, as well as popularizing a gritty (and refreshingly adult) sexuality in Emmy-magnet stars James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, and Lorraine Bracco. For his trouble, the auteur recently inked a deal north of $15 million (plus back-end bucks) to keep the cannolis coming through the fifth season. DEBITS With the increasing lag time between the seasons, less committed viewers may ultimately fuhgeddaboudit.
89 Craig ZADAN & Neil MERON Executive Producers LAST YEAR - --
AGES 52/46 CREDITS Reports of the death of TV musicals and movies were greatly exaggerated. Thanks to these two, classy productions have updated a dusty genre (Annie, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella) and delivered big audiences: ABC's Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (with Judy Davis) was last season's most watched mini. Remakes are in order for Mame (with Cher), The Music Man, The Wiz, and Footloose (which Zadan first produced for the big screen). DEBITS Their own Emmys would be nice.
90 Michael BARKER & Tom BERNARD Copresidents, Sony Pictures Classics LAST YEAR - --
AGES 47/48 CREDITS They may not possess the same look-at-me showmanship as the brothers Weinstein, but these indie tastemakers proved they could probably sell sand in the Gobi Desert with their brilliant marketing of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Was it a chick flick or for Matrix fan boys? Yes.) Add Pollock to the mix and the pair has become the indie studio to watch. DEBITS Their cupboard for the rest of the year isn't exactly loaded for bear. They'll need to prove that 2000 wasn't a fluke.
91 Susan STROMAN Director-Choreographer LAST YEAR - --
AGE 47 CREDITS A one-woman Broadway revival, she performed a rare hat trick, with three hit musicals running simultaneously: The Producers, Contact, and The Music Man. This month she goes for four with Thou Shalt Not, featuring a Harry Connick Jr. score. (How about five concurrent hits? The acclaimed British revival of Oklahoma!, which she choreographed, reaches New York early next year.) For uniting critics and popular audiences, Stroman deserves a Nobel Peace Prize as much as her stack of Tonys. DEBITS Harry Connick Jr.?
92 Jay ROACH Director-Producer LAST YEAR - --
AGE 44 CREDITS With Meet the Parents and both Austin Powers flicks (plus next summer's third, Goldmember), Herculean helmer surpassed the Farrelly brothers to become the comedy director du jour. Cinched a deal with Fox earlier this year. Effortlessly massages difficult talent (see: Stiller, Myers, De Niro). In the works: Parents sequel Meet the Fockers, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Spy vs. Spy, and Walter Kirn's Up in the Air. DEBITS The problem with being in demand: percolating projects have a way of never happening.
93 Jon STEWART Comedian/Talk-Show Host/Actor LAST YEAR - --
AGE 38 CREDITS After capturing the absurdity of the 2000 election on the witheringly satirical yet commonsensical The Daily Show With Jon Stewart (winner, this year, of a Peabody Award and its first Emmy nods), this fake anchor has earned more trust from young, savvy viewers than the real desk jockeys. Starring with Robin Williams in Death to Smoochy could finally make his acting career news. DEBITS A time of unconditional support for politicians can be deadly for someone whose job is to mock them.
94 Cast of FRIENDS Sitcom Stars LAST YEAR - 49
AVERAGE AGE 34.5 CREDITS Rachel's pregnancy helped Friends' season opener draw the sitcom's largest premiere in six years--and those 30 million viewers have stuck; while their stylish coifs proved no match for the matted hair of CBS' Survivor 2, the six Friends have so far bested Survivor: Africa. Is it any wonder that, after eight seasons, Madison Avenue still pays top dollar for a 30-second spot? DEBITS The little question of what the actors do next; season 9 is up in the air, and Son of Rock Star doesn't look like a go.
95 Warren F. LIEBERFARB President, Warner Home Video LAST YEAR - RISING
AGE 58 CREDITS More or less pioneered DVD--both the technology and the business; predicted its success in the early '80s. Partnered with Toshiba in early '90s to score 13 jointly held patents on the then-developing format. Priced discs to buy, spurring a boom that now accounts for over 20 percent (and climbing) of studio revenue. DEBITS There's his ongoing disagreement with Blockbuster over how the video biz is run; with economy shuddering, the buying frenzy may flag; video-on-demand could cut into his packaged entertainment empire.
96 Vin DIESEL Badass LAST YEAR - --
AGE 34 CREDITS Having answered the question "Is Vin Diesel a star yet?" with the surprise summer smashup The Fast and the Furious, the former bouncer joins the $10 million club with his upcoming spy movie XXX. A sequel to word-of-mouth hit Pitch Black finally gets the green light, and his name has been linked to such high-profile projects as Terminator 3. DEBITS Furious wasn't 100 percent Diesel-driven: Girl magnet Paul Walker and the current fast-car trend probably had something to do with its success.
97 Herb SCANNELL President, Nickelodeon, TV Land, and TNN LAST YEAR - 37
AGE 44 CREDITS Runs top-rated basic-cable net/trendsetting empire for under-12 set. Sales of Blue's Clues tie-in products top $1 billion a year, but it takes more than a Sears kidswear line to triple profits in three years--which is where low-cost, high-yield kid flicks like Rugrats in Paris come in (and just wait until Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius hits). Nick Records--a partnership with Jive--should clean up. DEBITS Writers Guild of America accuses net of refusing to give contract coverage for animation writers; Nick is awaiting ruling from labor board.
98 Matt BLANK & Jerry OFFSAY Chairman-CEO; President of Programming, Showtime Networks LAST YEAR - 88/--
AGES 51/47 CREDITS Cable net is often the last hope for controversial subject matter (as in The Believer, the acclaimed Sundance film no movie studio would touch), and first hope for filmmakers (House of Mirth and Gods and Monsters started at Showtime). Original series (Queer as Folk, Soul Food) cater to viewers the broadcast nets often ignore. DEBITS Those same series lack critical support and the network gets little Emmy love; reviewers and nominators are too busy lauding HBO.
99 Neal H. MORITZ Producer LAST YEAR - --
AGE 42 CREDITS Pulled a fast one with The Fast and the Furious, crossing the summer finish line with a modestly budgeted, minimally star-powered hit, guaranteeing entree into any studio in Hollywood. After producing The Skulls and Cruel Intentions, he's now shifting gears, from teensploitation to more mature fare like the savvy TV satire Greg the Bunny (Fox midseason) and Vin Diesel's spy flick XXX. DEBITS Unfortunately, he didn't shift quickly enough. (See The Glass House, Soul Survivors, and Saving Silverman.)
100 The ROCK Superstar, World Wrestling Federation LAST YEAR - RISING
AGE 29 CREDITS The "most electrifying man in sports entertainment" contributed in no small part (and let's face it, it was a very small part) to a $419 million worldwide payday for The Mummy Returns. Next year's prequel, The Scorpion King, and a starring role in the upcoming Hunting Bronze have the man also known as Dwayne Johnson positioned to become the 21st-century Ah-nold. DEBITS The all-too-real physical risks of his day job (including WWF SmackDown!) leave him vulnerable to catastrophic injury.
101 Angelina JOLIE Actress LAST YEAR - --
AGE 26 CREDITS If Paramount goes ahead with a Tomb Raider sequel--and after grossing $131 million domestically with the first one, why not?--Jolie will become the first actress with her own action franchise since Sigourney Weaver bitch-slapped aliens. Meanwhile, that Oscar for Girl, Interrupted continues to kick open doors to serious roles (like the refugee-camp drama Beyond Borders). DEBITS But can she open a movie as anyone other than Lara Croft? (See Original Sin--nobody else did.)
101.5 The Potter Kids: Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe Actors LAST YEAR - --/--/--
AGES 11/13/12 CREDITS The plucked-from-near-obscurity Brits are wizard-in-training Harry and pals Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Collectively, they're the stars of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone--the biggest sure-thing phenomenon since The Phantom Menace--and potentially six more features, should Warner Bros. turn all of J.K. Rowling's novels into movies (talk about job security). DEBITS This whole Harry Potter thing? It'll follow you the rest of your lives.
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INDEX
AILES, ROGER 62 ALBRECHT, CHRIS DARRYL ESTRINE 10 AMES, ROGER 37 BARKER, MICHAEL 90 BARNETT, ROBERT B. FOCUSED IMAGES PHOTOGRAPHY, INC. 82 BARRYMORE, DREW STEVE GRANITZ/WIREIMAGE 56 BECKER, BRIAN JOHN SIMON 27 BERG, JEFF 58 BERMAN, BRUCE 69 BERMAN, GAIL 22 BERNARD, TOM ROBIN HOLLAND 90 BEWKES, JEFF MARCO GLAVIANO 10 BLANK, MATT ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 98 BLOOMBERG, STU BOB D'AMICO 28 BRAUN, LLOYD 28 BRUCKHEIMER, JERRY ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 49 BURNETT, MARK GREGG DEGUIRE/WIREIMAGE.COM 68 CALDER, CLIVE LARRY BUSACCA 43 CAPARRO, JIM 59 CARREY, JIM PAUL SMITH/FEATURE FLASH/RETNA 29 CHAN, JACKIE STEWART MARK/CAMERA PRESS/RETNA 70 CHASE, DAVID ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 88 CLOONEY, GEORGE ARMANDO GALLO/RETNA 41 COHEN, LYOR ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 59 COOK, RICHARD 32 COURIC, KATIE FITZROY BARRETT/GLOBE PHOTOS 11 CREATIVE ARTISTS AGENCY 42 CROWE, RUSSELL JAMES MCCAULEY/RETNA 23 CRUISE, TOM PAUL SMITH/FEATURE FLASH/RETNA 9 DAVIS, CLIVE ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 79 DI BONAVENTURA, LORENZO DENNIS WALMAN 26 DIESEL, VIN ELLIS PARRINDER/CAMERA PRESS/RETNA 96 DOLGEN, JONATHAN L. ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 7 EMINEM ANDREA RENAULT/GLOBE PHOTOS 51 ENDEAVOR 55 FORD, HARRISON ROSE HARTMAN/GLOBE PHOTOS 80 FRIEDMAN, JANE GEORGE LANGE 63 FRIENDS CAST 94 GEFFEN, DAVID ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 4 GIANOPULOS, JIM 17 GIBSON, MEL ALEC MICHAEL/GLOBE PHOTOS 20 GILMORE, GEOFFREY 66 GRAMMER, KELSEY DAVID ROSE 84 GRAZER, BRIAN ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 34 GRUSHOW, SANDY 14 HANDLING, PIERS 66 HANKS, TOM SARA DEBOER/AMERICAN FOTO FEATURES/RETNA 2 HARRY POTTER KIDS PETER MOUNTAIN 101.5 HORN, ALAN ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 26 HOWARD, RON ANDREA RENAULT/GLOBE PHOTOS 34 IENNER, DON 35 IOVINE, JIMMY 30 JACOB, GILLES LAURENT REBOURS/AP/WIDE WORLD 66 JOLIE, ANGELINA DAVE HOGAN/ALL ACTION/RETNA 101 KATZENBERG, JEFFREY ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 4 KELLEY, DAVID E. PAUL SKIPPER/GLOBE PHOTOS 64 KELLNER, JAMIE JAMES SORENSEN 13 KIDMAN, NICOLE ARMANDO GALLO/RETNA 46 KING, STEPHEN ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 24 KNOWLES, BEYONCE ANDREA RENAULT/GLOBE PHOTOS 87 LANSING, SHERRY 7 LEE, ANG PAUL SKIPPER/GLOBE PHOTOS 61 LENO, JAY PAUL SKIPPER/GLOBE PHOTOS 73 LETTERMAN, DAVID CHRISTOPHER LITTLE 72 LEVIN, JORDAN MICHAEL GRECCO 71 LEVINE, ARTHUR A. MILTON L. LEVINE 78 LIEBERFARB, WARREN F. 95 LOPEZ, JENNIFER LESTER COHEN/WIREIMAGE.COM 75 LUCAS, GEORGE JOSEPH MARZULLO/RETNA 44 LYNNE, MICHAEL ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 48 MADONNA PHIL LOFTUS/RETNA 40 MCGRATH, JUDY 33 MCGURK, CHRIS 47 MERON, NEIL 89 MEYER, RON ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 1 MOONVES, LESLIE ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 3 MORITZ, NEAL H. 99 MORRIS, DOUG 6 MOTTOLA, THOMAS D. ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 18 MURPHY, EDDIE STEVE GRANITZ/RETNA 54 MYERS, MIKE DOUG PETERS/RETNA 83 'N SYNC SCOTT WEINER/RETNA 38 OFFSAY, JERRY 98 OLSON, PETER MARYANN RUSSELL 57 PASCAL, AMY 45 REIDY, CAROLYN K. 77 ROACH, JAY STEVE GRANITZ/WIREIMAGE.COM 92 ROBERTS, JULIA BILL DAVILA/RETNA 5 ROCK, THE JEFF SLOCOMB/RETNA 100 ROMANO, RAY JEFF VESPA/WIREIMAGE.COM 76 ROMANOS, JACK GASPER TRINGALE 77 ROSEN, HILARY MARY NOBLE OURS 65 ROSENTHAL, PHILIP MONTY BRINTON 76 ROTH, JOE GREGG DEGUIRE/WIREIMAGE.COM 53 ROTH, PETER MILAN RYBA/GLOBE PHOTOS 36 ROTHMAN, TOM ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 17 ROWLING, J.K. ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 15 SCANNELL, HERB ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 97 SCOTT, RIDLEY JOHN SPELLMAN/RETNA 31 SEX AND THE CITY'S WOMEN NIGEL PARRY 81 SHAYE, ROBERT ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 48 SMITH, WILL SAINLOUIS/STILLS/RETNA 52 SNIDER, STACEY SANDER/LIAISON AGENCY 1 SODERBERGH, STEVEN HENRY MCGEE/GLOBE PHOTOS 19 SORKIN, AARON ANDREA RENAULT/GLOBE PHOTOS 67 SPEARS, BRITNEY ANDREA RENAULT/GLOBE PHOTOS 38 SPIELBERG, STEVEN ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 4 STEWART, JON FRANK MICELOTTA 93 STILLER, BEN STEVE GRANITZ/WIREIMAGE.COM 86 STROMAN, SUSAN ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 91 SYKES, JOHN ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 33 UNITED TALENT AGENCY 60 VALENTINE, DEAN 85 WASHINGTON, DENZEL JEFF VESPA/WIREIMAGE.COM 39 WEINSTEIN, BOB ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 12 WEINSTEIN, HARVEY ANDREA RENAULT/GLOBE PHOTOS 12 WELLS, JOHN ARMANDO GALLO/RETNA 21 WIATT, JIM 50 WILLIS, BRUCE SONIA MOSKOWITZ/GLOBE PHOTOS 74 WINFREY, OPRAH TRICIA MEADOWS/GLOBE PHOTOS 8 WOLF, DICK ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 25 YEMENIDJIAN, ALEX ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 47 ZADAN, CRAIG 89 ZUCKER, JEFF ROBIN PLATZER/TWIN IMAGES 16
THE POWER ISSUE WRITTEN AND REPORTED BY
Rebecca Ascher-Walsh, Scott Brown, Rob Brunner, Josh Chetwynd, Clarissa Cruz, Amy Feitelberg, Daniel Fierman, Mike Flaherty, Matthew Flamm, Gillian Flynn, Jeff Jensen, Dave Karger, Caroline Kepnes, Alice M. Lee, Allyssa Lee, Chris Nashawaty, Degen Pener, Brian M. Raftery, Lynette Rice, Joshua Rich, Erin Richter, Evan Serpick, Jessica Shaw, Tom Sinclair, Dan Snierson, Daneet Steffens, Benjamin Svetkey, Allison Hope Weiner, Chris Willman, Josh Wolk, Josh Young
