And now a promising update on the ongoing crisis at Turner Classic Movies. EW reports that after Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and P.T. Anderson‘s “emergency call” with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav last week, TCM has rehired Charles Tabesh, its senior VP of programming and content strategy. And while Tabesh is just one of several TCM execs laid off last week, his return should assuage some of the fears that the network’s future was in doubt.
In a new joint statement about TCM and its future, Spielberg, Scorsese, and Anderson also stated they’ll serve as unpaid volunteers to help curate the network’s programming. The three filmmakers will also provide host new intros and outros to films on the network. And TCM’s Classic Film Festival will also continue; the latest rendition happened this past April.
“We have already begun working on ideas with [Warner Bros. executives Michael de Luca and Pamela Abdy], both true film enthusiasts who share a passion and reverence for classic cinema that is the hallmark of the TCM community,” the directors said in their statement. “This unique arrangement, initiated by David Zaslav, reflects his commitment to honoring the TCM legacy while also involving us on curation and programming. We are thrilled that longtime programmer Charlie Tabesh will be staying with TCM and gratified to know that the team is focused on preserving TCM’s mission of celebrating our rich movie history while at the same time ensuring that future generations of filmmakers and film lovers have TCM as a valuable resource.”
Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group provided its own statement on TCM’s future. “TCM is a cultural treasure, and we are honored to help steer the future direction of this beloved brand with the partnership of three of the most iconic filmmakers of our time, Steven, Marty, and Paul.”
Beyond Tabesh, other TCM execs laid off last week include EVP and General Manager Pola Changnon, VP of Brand Creative and Marketing Dexter Fedor, VP of Enterprises and Strategic Partnerships Genevieve McGillicuddy, and VP of Studio Production Anne Wilson. So while Tabesh’s return bodes well for the immediate future of TCM, also bear in mind that WBD still cleared house at the network, and it’s likely that significant changes are in store. But at least this update demonstrates that Spielberg, Scorsese, and Anderson’s call with Zaslav last week wasn’t for naught. Expect more news about the future of TCM soon.