Apr 7, 2008  Morten M****** wrote:

Dear Tristan,

We have been reviewing your idea on several occasions, and I’m sorry to have to tell you, that this time around, we don’t see any future for your format on our channel.

As a courtesy to you, I hope it’s allright with you, if I may address, briefly, the two main issues for future reference:

1. On TV2 Zulu we adhere very passionately to our set of values: “Humor, Passion, Zest, Positiveness, Loving & Caring etc.” This means that our own productions are always positive, happy, bright, full of joy, community feelings and lots of laughs.

We don’t want to promote negative competition or emotions, or as we say: “We don’t vote people off, we vote them onwards!” (This is why you won’t find Survivor or Paradise Hotel on Zulu)

So looking through those glasses, I simply can’t see a program format promoting “drunken patrons being kicked out of a bar” as befitting our standards especially well 😉

2. The sheer scale of operations, live feeds from several bars, live voting etc. is simply way beyond our budgetary means.

For Zulu, think smaller, think comedy, think fun & games.

I hope this may give you a little food for thought, and I hope of course, that you’ll still want to call on us, when you have your next great idea.

I wish you all the best, until then.

Sincerely Yours

Morten M******

Exec. Producer / Commissioning Editor

TV2 Networks (Zulu, Charlie, Film, News, Radio)

 

Apr 7, 2008  Tristan Winter wrote:

Dear Morten,

Many thanks -sincerely- for your letter and your overview.

You statement of values, while commendably altruistic, nonetheless left me in some confusion, as my program is comprised of precisely those elements, and I fear someone has overlooked 90% of its positive aspects. On the other hand, I notice that Zulu’s leading show, indeed the pride of the nation, is a ‘reality-based’ sitcom about two beer aficionados ripping each other off.

Of ideas, I confess I have many, some of which should certainly fit the Zulu criteria. Just off the top of my head, for example:

Firstly, we could do a series wherein I go around pitching my ideas to various producers. After establishing the interoffice congress, the audience actually sees the hilarious ideas played out on screen. Then, in the finest Fieldsian tradition, we periodically cut back to the producer as he exclaims: “Why, we can’t do that, Mr. Winter; I’d lose my job!”

For a more community-minded format, we could do a show in which I traverse Denmark, going door-to-door, trying to borrow money. To further hone the excitement, I could be competing for a set sum against another fellow working the opposite side of the streets. For this competitor we could use, for example, the producer from the previous (above) series.

Finally, if that is still too much of a budgetary strain, I recommend the “X/Y Factor.” Chromosomes are always hot. In this program the contestants get to go on television and each one votes on whether they themselves are male or female. Naturally, the one who guesses right wins. First prize is a premature baby. Second prize is a hand saw.

Of course these are just for starters. I’m sure I could do better with the support of your team beside me, and I look forward to the day when we can work in concert. Please do not hesitate to contact me should these extemporizations suggest lunch.

Yours In Couth,

Tristan Winter