How to Manage Other People's Expectations

There was once a man, an infamous man, named Fred Freiberger.

He came in as the executive producer for the third season of Star Trek, a season famous for a noticeable drop in the show’s overall quality. At the end of the third season, Star Trek was canceled.

Later, he executive produced the second season of Space: 1999, a season that saw many drastic changes to the tone and cast of the show, and in many people’s opinions, a noticeable drop in quality. At the end of the second season, Space: 1999 was canceled.

Fred moved on to a spot as the executive producer of the fifth season of The Six Million Dollar Man. There was no sixth season.

It’s tempting to blame him for killing these three beloved science-fiction series, and many people do, but it’s not entirely fair. He had a hand in many successful, long running shows, including the Super Friends and All in the Family. (Didn’t expect those shows to share any creative staff, did you?) Also, all three of those shows had seen drastic budget cuts and creative changes as he was brought in. Indeed, that’s why he was brought in.

So, it’s not fair to say that Fred Freiberger killed TV shows. But, it is fair to say that the hiring of Fred Freiberger as an executive producer was not a good sign.

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