Inside Thirteen blogger: Neal Shapiro, President

I had left morning religious services in Albany, NY, where my father lives, and decided to check in with the office. There was an urgent call from Charlie Rose and Charlie only uses the word urgent when it is…well, urgent. I called Charlie’s cellphone from my cellphone and there was a lot of static in the line, so I heard:

“…Neal…..chshshs….fiscal crisis…..chshsshshsshhh……exclusive interview…. cnssshhshsshh…… timing is so crucial with the vote pending…. xcvhchshchc….. get a a primetime audience….chshchshchshcs…. .what do you think?”

Who could he have been talking about? Who would be worth a special primetime interview?

“Charlie,” I replied, “I just didn’t hear who you thought you could interview.”

This time, I heard his answer loud and clear. “Warren Buffett.”

“Oh…..” I said and I instantly knew why he would be such an important interview. With all eyes focused on Capitol Hill, with much of the public divided about this rescue plan (or bailout depending on your point of view), Warren Buffett’s insights will be critical. And who better to conduct this thoughtful and probing conversation than Charlie Rose?

But this was Tuesday afternoon and we had lots of decisions to make. Where was Warren? Where should Charlie go to conduct the interview… How would we get it on the air and how many stations could carry it? Stephen Segaller, our VP of content, joined Charlie and his executive producer Yvette Vega in some urgent discussions early Tuesday afternoon.

By 1:30 we had confirmed that we could air the show at 9 pm on Wednesday or 8 pm Thursday, immediately before the VP debate. By 1:45 Stephen had WETA’s agreement to air the show on Wednesday at 9 pm - thanks to their programmer Kevin Harris and Production VP Dalton Delan. By 2 pm Kent Steele in programming had secured WGBH’s agreement to air the show Wednesday at 9 pm - we practically had a network!

As I ducked in and out of services and family obligations, Stephen connected with Charlie - or his cellphone voicemail. Charlie called back, and left a message.

“…Stephen…..chshshs…. Warren’s…..chshsshshsshhh…… tomorrow….cnssshhshsshh… before the vote….xcvhchshchc… after the vote….chshsshshsshhh.”

Mercifully, they connected soon afterwards. One slight problem: “Warren is willing to do it tomorrow but has to fly from Omaha to San Diego mid-day.” Hmm… Charlie could get to Omaha by 10 - maybe? But he’d have to tape before the markets close… how about San Diego? Warren has no trouble getting there - he owns NetJets. Charlie - first flight out. Where to tape? Next call to our friend Keith York, programmer at KPBS San Diego. He connects us and Charlie’s team to their studio manager Ena Newell - and by 3 pm a plan is taking shape. Charlie will tape at KPBS at 3 pm Pacific, after the markets close back east. KPBS will uplink to the PBS satellite at 7 pm… 8 pm Eastern… And with a bit of luck, PBS will announce and feed to the whole system. In the meantime, Keith already committed to carrying the show in San Diego.

Today’s New York Times carries a full-page ad (A17) announcing this primetime special - one full hour with the person America most wants to hear from on the economic crisis gripping the nation. We’re proud to be making it happen.

CHARLIE ROSE SPECIAL EDITION: WARREN BUFFETT
Airs on Thirteen 9-10pm, and rebroadcast at 11:30pm-12:30am; you can watch the special online the day after broadcast.