While Simon was on the phone with Robert Iger, ABC Television Network also faxed over more detailed ratings data.
On its premiere day, 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' achieved 13.65 million viewers, with a viewership percentage as high as 13%.
Furthermore, the 18-to-49 core audience rating, which is most valued by networks and advertisers, reached 5.9. This means that 5.9% of the entire North America core audience population aged 18 to 49, regardless of whether they had their TVs on, watched the program last night. Based on the total size of this demographic in North America, approximately 120 million, the specific core viewership reached 7.1 million people.
All of these figures far exceeded ABC Television Network's previous expectations.
Due to viewing habits, the North America summer audience is only about 60% to 70% of the popular fall season audience, so ABC Television Network had set a passing line of 6.5 million viewers for 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'.
The reality is that the show's 18-to-49 core audience size alone had already reached that level. Moving forward, even if the pilot week's ratings all stayed at the Monday level of 13.65 million, by the time the fall season arrived, 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' was destined to become a hit show capable of drawing 20 million viewers.
Seeing the first-day ratings for 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?', ABC Television Network executives instantly began regretting not having finalized all cooperation terms beforehand. Although they currently held some initiative, at least Daenerys Pictures couldn't sell 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' to another network, ABC Television Network would still have to pay a hefty price to secure the show.
Robert Iger stated over the phone that ABC Television Network wanted to hold a meeting with him immediately to finalize more cooperation details. However, since the show was already a success, and perhaps destined for even greater success, Simon naturally wasn't as eager as ABC Television Network.
Simon politely declined Robert Iger's meeting invitation and flew back to the West Coast as planned.
Over the next few days, as its popularity spread further, 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'s ratings continued to climb steadily.
Following 15.5 million on Tuesday and 16.8 million on Wednesday, the pilot episode's ratings peaked on Thursday, with 17.3 million viewers, an 18% viewership percentage, and the core 18-to-49 audience rating soaring to 8.2% (10.2 million viewers).
If calculated using the average that the summer season audience base is 65% of the fall season, 17.3 million viewers in June would be equivalent to 26.6 million viewers in the fall season.
Even in this era where cable television was just emerging and public television networks still dominated, TV programs capable of reaching 26.6 million viewers were extremely rare.
Therefore, as 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' began to sweep through the viewing public, North America media immediately took notice of this suddenly appearing reality show.
The New York Times unreservedly marvelled, 'Simon Westeros seems to have suddenly created another miracle, perhaps even a cultural phenomenon rarely seen in years. In just a few days, Regis Philbin's nerve-wracking multiple-choice questions have become the most talked-about topic among the American public. Some friends around me have even suggested that George Bush and Michael Dukakis abandon their boring debates full of mutual insults and accusations, and instead participate in 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' to decide who will become the next US President'.
ABC Television Network's operating condition in recent years had actually not been good.
After Warren Buffett and Tom Murphy acquired the network for a massive $3.5 billion in 1985, internal turmoil caused by the change in ownership led ABC Television Network to lose $70 million in 1986 and $30 million in 1987.
If 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' had not appeared, ABC Television Network would have been destined to continue losing money this year due to the Hollywood writers' strike.
For a large media conglomerate, if it were simply a matter of losses, tens of millions of dollars would be entirely within their tolerance. However, the continuous decline in the stock price of Metropolitan ABC Group, ABC Television Network's parent company, caused by these losses, was not something shareholders and management wanted to see.
As the pilot episode became more and more successful, ABC Television Network's desire to finalize the cooperation plan quickly grew more urgent. ABC Television Network executives also generally hoped that 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' could become a permanent fixture on the network starting in July, instead of just the originally planned 69 episodes intended to fill scheduling gaps and cope with the lack of programs for this year's fall season.
After holding out for a few days, Metropolitan ABC Group President Daniel Burke personally rushed to Los Angeles on Thursday to discuss the specific cooperation matters for 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' with Daenerys Pictures.
Santa Monica.
Inside an audition room at the Daenerys Pictures headquarters, Simon and Terry Semel sat in the centre, surrounded by other staff members who were either standing or sitting.
On the other side of the audition table, a man and a woman were performing.
The woman was Valeria Golino, who had already been confirmed to play Catwoman-Selina Kyle, and the other tall man was named Adam Baldwin. Mentioning the surname Baldwin often easily reminds people of Hollywood's famous Baldwin Four Brothers.
However, Adam Baldwin was not a member of the Baldwin family.
Adam Baldwin is 26 years old this year, debuting in 1980. His most famous role prior to this was the savage marine image in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket.
In Simon's memory, this Hollywood actor, who possessed a famous 'cop face', had also appeared in 'Independence Day', 'Firefly', 'Serenity', and many other films, though all were supporting roles. In the original timeline, Adam Baldwin was primarily a television actor, having regular roles in famous American TV series like 'The X-Files', 'Bones', and 'CSI'.
Among Daenerys Pictures' final batch of candidates for the batman lead role, Adam Baldwin's advantages were very clear: debuting at 18, rich acting experience, no bad habits, and his appearance, image, and age all matched most of Bruce Wayne's characteristics.
Therefore, today was the final audition for Batman. If confirmed, Bruce Wayne's casting would be completely finalized.
Inside the performance area, Adam Baldwin and Valeria Golino had clearly prepared meticulously, carefully studying the acting segment Simon had provided.
This audition scene depicted Batman having just finished a fight with a villain, and Catwoman intervening at a critical moment to help Batman. After multiple interactions, batman had developed feelings for Catwoman but stubbornly refused the emotion, while Catwoman likewise felt affection for Batman.
Although they were only wearing ordinary casual clothes, both actors were deeply immersed in their roles.
Following the script's requirements, Adam Baldwin lifted a staff member acting as a 'prop' and placed him on a chair in the corner; this represented a criminal Batman had just apprehended.
Valeria Golino followed closely, her expression showing a hint of post-battle fatigue. Seeing Batman ignore her, she couldn't help but feel some resentment, and mockingly adopted Batman's persona, saying, "Thank you, Selina, thank you for stepping in to help at the crucial moment. Your actions were absolutely heroic".
'Batman' remained standing in place, turning around with a slight hesitation, and uncharacteristically defended himself: "Everything was under control".
'Catwoman' moved closer like a little wildcat, placing a hand on 'Batman's' shoulder, and said, "Yeah, yeah. Now, be a good girl and give your fearless Hero a passionate kiss".
Having said this, 'Catwoman' leaned forward to kiss 'Batman,' but was firmly pushed away by 'Batman.' The 'Catwoman,' who had just been tender, instantly turned hostile, true to her cat-like fickle nature. She extended her 'claws' and unhesitatingly swiped at 'Batman's' face, only to have her wrist easily caught.
Having subdued 'Catwoman,' 'Batman's' tone remained cold. Looking down at the struggling wildcat in front of him, he said, "Nice performance".
'Catwoman' pressed her body closer again, her tone turning seductive once more: "Then why aren't you playing along?"
'Batman' shook off 'Catwoman's' wrist, stepped back to put distance between them, and shook his head slightly: "No, I wasn't acting. Never will".
'Catwoman' watched 'Batman' turn and move away, taking a step forward but immediately stopping, her tone once again laced with mockery: "Oh, what does that mean?"
"It means, Selina, this is where we stop," 'Batman' said with his back to 'Catwoman,' before turning around again. "It means we can't—I can't... Gotham needs a protector. I need to guard this city".
Hearing 'Batman's' words, 'Catwoman' stepped closer again, placing a hand gently on 'Batman's' shoulder. The little wildcat now had a touch of tenderness and pity in her demeanour, saying, "But I don't need your protection".
'Batman' raised his hand, pausing as if unsure whether to press it onto the back of 'Catwoman's' hand resting on his shoulder or push her away again. After a moment, he lowered his hand and said, "Selina, I have to go".
'Catwoman' rubbed 'Batman's' shoulder for a moment, finally withdrawing her hand, and said, "Alright, I'll see you next time".
"I hope not to see you again".
"Heh, how is that possible? You're Gotham's vigilante, and I'm a villain. Cops always have to catch bad guys, right?" Having said this, without waiting for 'Batman's' reply, 'Catwoman' voluntarily retreated and left. 'Batman' stood in place, watching 'Catwoman's' figure disappear, then turned and departed as well.
When the performance ended, everyone in the audition room applauded softly.
Simon also clapped. After Adam Baldwin and Valeria Golino nodded to the crowd and temporarily left the audition room, he asked Terry Semel beside him, "Terry, what do you think?"
"Excellent", Terry Semel affirmed with a nod, but then added, "However, Simon, for a $50 million major production, isn't selecting these two a bit hasty? Valeria Golino is acceptable, but Adam Baldwin, honestly, if you hadn't put his profile in front of me, I wouldn't have known who he was".
"Don't you know now?" Simon said with a smile. "And by the end of next year, everyone will know this name, just like Christopher Reeve, the lead in Superman, back then".
Terry Semel knew Simon's mind was made up, and Warner had no say in the matter. After saying a few brief words, he stopped pressing the issue. The two continued discussing production matters, and then Terry Semel stood up and took his leave.
Adam Baldwin and Valeria Golino were already waiting in another conference room. Simon saw Terry Semel off, dismissed the other staff in the audition room, leaving only Jonathan Friedman and the two agents for the Batman lead actor and actress, Matthew Stewart and Ilian Borman.
Although WMA has attempted to strengthen its collaborative mechanism through reforms in the past two years, it is clearly not easy for a talent agency established longer than The Big Seven to implement change.
Adam Baldwin and Valeria Golino each had their own agents. Although Jonathan Friedman was WMA's Vice President, he could not receive a commission from this collaboration.
However, in order to expand his influence and compete for the next WMA President position, after failing to push his client Matt Dillon into the Batman role during this casting process, Jonathan Friedman still proactively stepped in to mediate. The other two agents naturally joined Jonathan's faction.
None of the four sat down again. Simon stood by the audition table and said to Adam Baldwin's agent, Matthew Stewart, "I heard Adam is getting married soon?"
Matthew Stewart nodded: "Yes, he has a girlfriend he's been dating for five years".
Simon didn't beat around the bush, saying, "Have him postpone the wedding for two years. I don't want to see a situation like Robin Williams, who immediately divorced his long-time wife right after becoming famous. If he is still willing to marry his girlfriend after Batman is released, Daenerys Pictures will send him a generous wedding gift".
Robin Williams became a first-tier star at the end of last year thanks to "Good Morning, Vietnam," and this year he divorced his first wife of ten years.
Matthew Stewart agreed: "I will take the time to talk to him".
Simon shook his head: "Talk tonight, and give me a result tomorrow. Tell him to treat this as a test of their relationship. Of course, if he insists on marrying his girlfriend, Daenerys Pictures will not object. But, as I just said, I don't want to see messy divorces right after he becomes famous. So, have him sign a rather generous prenuptial agreement with his girlfriend, the kind that makes a man feel too much pain to divorce".
Upon hearing this, Jonathan Friedman and the two agents couldn't help but show wry smiles.
Simon stopped bargaining with them. As the group was about to leave the audition room, Amy Pascal rushed in, pushing the door open. After only glancing at the other three, she said to Simon, "Simon, the Producers Alliance just issued a ban. The Producers Alliance stated that they will no longer purchase any television programs from production companies that have prematurely signed contracts with the Writers Guild".