Too bad he's long, long gone. To Regions Beyond.
But what would he say if he came back?
People are talking about Bob Iger (The Weatherman) replacing Bob Chapek (Chappie) like it's actually a good thing. How dumb do you have to be? I know we had a pandemic, an insurrection, multiple elections and more mass shootings than new Marvel shows on Disney+, but seriously. Do these people all own stock in My Pillow?
You do all remember who put Chappie in his position to begin with, right? Who gave him his marching orders? Who approved of every major MAGIC-sucking, money grubbing, woke pandering, turning the world's largest media/entertainment company into 'All About That Streaming' move he was charged with? (BTW, same goes for Joshie D'Amaro who so many of the social media influencers love)
You think Iger is your savior?
The man who ran countless execs out of the company after building them up as possible successors. The man who is now, after his horrific no succession, succession plan exploded like the bowels of an obese Guest after dining at Chef Mickey's, somehow back at the helm for 24 months (until that changes to 36 or 52 or ...)?
I hear people talk about never being so optimistic about Disney's future and I just wonder again, what alternate facts are they playing with. I have seen this all over. From real media types to Wall Street insiders to former Imagineers to (naturally) online (can I use the W-word yet here Mom? Is she still around these parts, I hope!) influencers/bloggers/w-words to 20-year-old O-Town fanbois flashing their pronouns (oh, gawd, do my 77-year-old nerves need this crap?) on Elon's end of days platform.
I see no reason for optimism. None. And I've spent a lot of time around Disney properties of late. Even 1401, which wasn't as deserted and depressing as I expected/feared. Operationally, I've never seen WDW and DLR so bad. Ever. Show quality is simply nonexistent. Lines are horrendous (so, no, price increases and paid FP were not the answer, not that some of us ever thought they were). And CMs (I don't want to sound like a right wing crackpot) are showing their uniqueness in ways I find distracting and distressing (and off-stage and in real life I'd be completely supporting them ... but, no, I don't want to see dudes with black nail polish and nose rings on MSUSA). The Disney Look was once considered a great thing and a model for other corporations. Of course, last time I was here, Splash Mountain was a Top 3 attraction and Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah was considered a great Disney anthem, so there's that too. Y'all waiting on that LE Splash Mountain closing merch line (HINT: it ain't coming) before the ride closes for good on 1/23?
I recall many year ago discussing here that Disney was in danger of becoming just another BRAND and well, the last five years have more than proven me right.
Anyone who has experienced WDW's 50th Anniversary want to disagree? Anyone who sees so many disparate brands and IP watering down Disney (again, Splash Mountain can no longer be Disney, but Family Guy can ... ) to where you wonder what exactly is left? 1970s and 80s retro merchandise. BTW, you may love it because it harkens back to a better time, but you do realize how much cheaper it is than creating new designs and new items, right?
You think if WDW eases its reservation system, something already in the works, that is the doing of Iger? Ah, no.
I don't get anything about the company right now. Or the industry that says streaming is absolutely the future when a broadcast network (those are like ABC and CBS and NBC, kidz) here in the future year of 2022 pulls in many times the numbers that these services do. The fact that broadcast TV also is quite profitable, while every streamer (that charges) out there loses billions of dollars might speak to a Titanic sized miscalculation there.
But I must return to my peaceful slumber. This is not a realm I can exist in for very long. I thought the fan community online was a cesspool a decade ago, but it was really heaven compared to now (seriously, guys and gals, how many vlogs showing a BLT one bedroom MK view must we have?)
I will say this, The Weatherman would like nothing better than to be the last head of TWDC. And he'd drop Willow (even in her stunning Yoda dress) for Tim Cook tomorrow and he ain't even gay. He is the same lousy man he was back when he left ... all of ... how many months ago?
If you think The Weatherman is the answer for Disney, then you probably think T ... nope, just nope.
To the few online pals I have who are left here, hope y'all survived (you know what I mean) and are doing well.
Leota just arrived with her ball ... must be going.