Chapter 256: Halftime Show Performance?

Was Viacom the most aggressive? Why hasn't Barry Diller's QVC joined in? Arthur hadn't heard Sidney Sheinberg mention former Paramount Pictures Chairman Barry Diller's participation in the acquisition!

However, Arthur quickly let it go; after all, Barry Diller didn't have much capital now, and a tele-shopping company couldn't make a move in such a significant acquisition.

Barry Diller would need to find investors as backers if he wanted to get involved. Otherwise, he wouldn't be qualified to participate in this level of acquisition.

At the same time, because Audrey Hepburn had passed away in Sweden a few days ago, everyone at the scene paid tribute to this great Hollywood actress.

"It's such a pity that Ms. Hepburn was still doing hunger relief work in Africa even while she had cancer," remarked Winona Ryder, who had spent time with Audrey Hepburn while guest-starring in Schindler's List.

"People die eventually," Arthur, who also knew Audrey Hepburn, didn't feel much about her passing.

Soon afterward, on the balcony of the Four Seasons Hotel, Arthur made a call to Jim Colt, asking him to keep an eye on QVC.

"Arthur, are you interested in QVC or Barry Diller?" Jim Colt asked with a laugh on the other end.

"Neither. Didn't Barry Diller once say he wanted to return to Hollywood? Now that Paramount Communications is looking for a buyer and he was once the chairman of Paramount Pictures, he might be interested!"

"He'll definitely need to find capital support. I'll keep an eye on it," Jim Colt understood immediately.

"Great." After hanging up with Jim Colt, Arthur looked at his latest phone, the Nokia 1011, feeling relieved at how portable it had become.

The Nokia 1011, which came out late last year, was the first mass-produced GSM phone and much more convenient!

Arthur had just lit a cigarette when he spotted Michael Jackson. "Hi, Michael, we meet again so soon!"

"Hi, Arthur," Michael Jackson, who had performed at Clinton's inauguration a few days earlier, had met Arthur there.

"By the way, the 92-93 Dangerous World Tour still has several shows left this year, right?"

Michael Jackson nodded. "About twenty or thirty more. I'm currently preparing for the Super Bowl halftime show!"

Arthur smiled. This year's Super Bowl would be held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Los Angeles, with the AFC champion Buffalo Bills facing the NFC champion Dallas Cowboys. Michael Jackson's iconic moment, where he stood still on stage for more than a minute during the halftime show, was soon to come.

"Really looking forward to your performance," Arthur couldn't help but marvel at Michael Jackson's unparalleled fame.

"Thank you," Michael Jackson smiled.

As Michael Jackson left, he surely didn't know he would face his first child molestation case this year, which would haunt him for life.

"Ah," Arthur sighed. Humanity can't withstand trials.

With Michael Jackson as the star performer for the Super Bowl halftime show this year, Arthur had no doubt about the TV ratings. It would definitely set a new record. Traditionally, the Super Bowl halftime show had been more like a break time, similar to cheerleaders livening up the atmosphere during the game, usually with tributes or themes.

The first introduction of a pop star performance during halftime was in 1991, and having Michael Jackson perform this year was a stroke of genius.

Michael Jackson would rewrite the history of the Super Bowl halftime show this year, making the halftime performance a standard for measuring superstars!

That night, after leaving the Four Seasons Hotel with Winona Ryder, Arthur went directly to Hollywood Galaxy Cinemas to watch Emma with her.

"There aren't many people. Emma has just reached a box office of $10 million," Winona Ryder said as she looked around the theater, which was less than a quarter full.

"It's an art film, after all," Arthur replied, patting her. Before the movie started, some other movie trailers played on the screen.

Arthur suddenly thought of an exciting idea, "Commercials, movie trailers, Super Bowl halftime show?"

It didn't seem like movie trailers had been advertised during the Super Bowl halftime show yet!

Galaxy had two summer blockbusters this year: Speed and Mrs. Doubtfire, one action film and one comedy.

Looks like they would need to secure two commercial spots during the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show.

"Arthur, will Galaxy's Little Women start filming this year?" Winona Ryder asked.

Arthur nodded. "Of course. This is Amy's favorite novel. You've seen the first draft of the script, right?"

"I have, and I've also read the novel seriously. I like it a lot. I think Little Women is no worse than Emma," Winona Ryder said. Her current fame would make it easier to find a director and other actors for Little Women.

"One is British, the other American. Although both are set in the early 19th century, their styles are different," said Arthur as he touched Winona Ryder's face. "Louisa May Alcott can't be compared to Jane Austen, though."

However, Louisa May Alcott was indeed very famous in the United States, and Emma was considered a more niche novel among Austen's works.

Winona Ryder's vintage look in Emma was truly beautiful, her exquisite face and dark hair full of vitality.

"Darling, you look gorgeous in the movie," Arthur couldn't help but praise Winona Ryder, who was snuggled in his arms.

"Mm," Winona gave Arthur a kiss on the cheek.

"Mm," Arthur kissed her back, receiving a passionate response. Winona Ryder, wearing a dress with just a coat over it, soon felt Arthur's hands exploring her chest.

"Arthur, haven't we not been to the cinema in a long time?" Winona Ryder whispered into Arthur's ear.

"It has been a while. I've been too busy, so I rarely go to the cinema. Tonight, besides wanting to check on the release of Emma, I also wanted to look at the business situation of Galaxy Cinemas," Arthur said with a laugh.

"It didn't disappoint me. This new type of multi-hall cinema is definitely the future direction for chain theaters!"

"Alright, let's continue watching the movie. How can we mess around in our own cinema?" Winona Ryder patted Arthur, getting him to withdraw his hand. Although Emma didn't win her any acting awards, it showed others her strengths in classical roles.

Surely, things would be different when Little Women was released!

*****

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