![]() Reid has seen his progress in television blocked several times. “I always want to be prepared to talk business.” “I read four newspapers a day and as many entertainment trade magazines as I can get my hands on,” said Reid, speaking with the confidence of an corporate vice president. He’s set himself up as an independent television producer pitching ideas to executives. ![]() After all, he went to work with DuPont in Chicago as a marketing representative when he graduated from Norfolk State in 1968.Įven though he scotched a white-collar career, Reid kept his eye on business. Though Reid is frustrated with the televison industry, he understands its business mentality. Most stories that appeal to adults are lost.” Ed’ and `Leave It to Beaver.'”Every show must be youth-driven. “They look at life from the portholes of a 747 jet on the way to a meeting. “Most of the people in power know nothing about the lives of real humans or about real stories,” he said. He doesn’t have many kind words to say about the quality of network television. Power struggles: Reid still harbors some bitterness from his days battling with television executives. “You can be sure that someone from Norfolk State somewhere heard you,” Williams answered. “I was hoping none of my old Norfolk State English teachers saw that.” “You know, I was interviewed on a television show recently and I split a verb,” he said. “Hello, Tim,” said Norfolk State President Harrison B. As the cameras prepared to shoot another take for his census commercial, Reid heard a voice from the back of the room. And I hadn’t accomplished most of what I’ve wanted to do.”īut on this day, Reid was doing his best to keep his actor’s composure. “When I turned 45 in December, I woke up with a frightening thought,” Reid said. Maybe he’s still attempting to live up to his own high standards or that of his school. Maybe it’s the fact that CBS quickly canceled two of his shows, including “Snoops” last fall after only an eight-week run. There’s an ironic edge of discontent to his voice. He sits on the college’s President’s Roundtable, which advises on fundraising activities and scholarships.īut Reid doesn’t seem like a man content to be either a symbol of making it in Hollywood or a philanthropist. He also pays four years of tuition costs for another student. Reid has already set up a scholarship in his name for a student in dramatic arts. “We don’t mind riding his coattails a bit.” “He’s the most famous alumnus we’ve had at the school,” said Norfolk State University Relations Director Gerald Tyler. They include Anita Baker, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lou Rawls and Hank Aaron. A growing list of entertainment and sports figures are planning to attend in Reid’s effort to help raise scholarship money. He’s also putting together a celebrity tennis tournament for Norfolk State, scheduled for April 27 to 29.
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