Les Moonves

Les Moonves: (on extending his 2011 contract thru 2015) I have the privilege of working with the greatest team of people in this or any other business,... ...I am very gratified that my relationship with the Company will continue as we build on the strong foundation we have laid for ongoing growth and success.

Les Moonves: (on how technology has been a friend to the content business) I think the broadcast model is better now than it was five years ago because there are all of these places to take your content...

Les Moonves: I think when people look back at my career, they'll say I was a loyal guy, I built a great team and I knew how to appreciate talent and what they do.

Les Moonves: (On CSI: New York) CSI: New York is not going to beat Law & Order. "However, CSI: New York is going to do better than we've done in that time period in decades, so it's very exciting to be able to attack that." It is currently winning the time slot in the ratings.

Les Moonves: (On Dick Wolf and CSI vs. L&O) I think Dick Wolf is one of the greatest producers in the history of network television, and I think 'Law & Order' is a spectacular show, I think clearly he showed that he's a little worried about the 'CSI' franchise by those remarks.There's also a rating thing that's going on. CSI is going up; the 'Law & Orders' are going down.

Les Moonves: (On CSI:New York) We talked about New Orleans, we talked about San Francisco, we talked about Chicago...but New York became the front-runner fairly early.

Les Moonves: (On Gary Sinise and CSI: New York ) We're thrilled to get an actor like Gary Sinise, who is someone we've been chasing for many years. What especially makes it great is to get an actor who will give such distinction to the third CSI and really distinguish it from the other two shows. He's just a great get for us.

Les Moonves: (On the "firings" of George Eads and Jorja Fox from CSI) There comes a point where we feel a contract is a contract. We had been having discussions with their lawyers. There were certain veiled threats about their not showing up, and there comes a point where we all have to look out for the future of the network television business. I'm sort of old-fashioned. I believe when you and I shake hands and we sign a deal, it's a deal.

Les Moonves: (On the the possibility of ever changing actors on CSI) CSI has wonderful actors, but if we make a change here and there, I don't think it will hurt the show.

Les Moonves: (On American Idol) American Idol continues to be a monster. It's a phenomenon. If somebody would kill that show, I'd really appreciate it. But it's a national phenomenon, and it continues to do extremely well. It's tough to compete with it. (March, 2008)

Les Moonves: (On Director Danny Cannon) The visual style of CSI is so distinctive, and Danny has a lot to do with that. He's a very important part of the team.