LA Times TV critic Brian Lowry wrote a column on the challenges facing TV networks in the wake of the decline of Survivor and Millionaire. Since he often seems to enjoy talking about the tight spots his subjects are in, I asked him by e-mail if he would trade jobs with a network executive, and what would be the first thing he would do. He writes.

"Other than the money, no, those jobs don't appeal to me, and never really have. The first thing I'd do is blame everything on my predecessor. Then I'd probably go to five writers I truly respected, talk about a concept and tell them to go make a show, no research, no interference. Couldn't do any worse, and it might be great. I'd either succeed or go down in a blaze of glory."

Lowry columns