Upfront News and Views: A+E Networks' Impressive Parade of Powerful Women

Venue amp160The New York Public Libraryamp8217s main branch on Fifth Ave between E 40th and 41st Sts amp160Usually a stately and sedate place to hold events the main lobby and the Celeste Bartos Forum room were turned into bright sparkling spaces for a cocktail hour and dinnerpresentation respectively amp160Both sides of the lobby became distinct spots for celebrity snapshots a white paperMache background on the right greenery of a rainforest nature on the left amp160Orange lights brought a party glow to the Bartos room with a long video stage to the right amp160In something of an unexpected preshow workers decorated the outside steps to the lobby with signage featuring the nightamp8217s motto amp8220Step Up to Great Storiesamp8221 amp160Passersby on Fifth Ave paused to capture the image on their smartphones amp160When I left to head home at 915 pm the amp8220Step Upamp8221 signage was still in place still attracting picture takersamp160 Grade 4 JacksPresentation amp160A testimonial approach giving nine notable women the opportunity to express their involvement with various productionsamp160 The group included attorney turned AampampE host Marcia Clark singeractress Toni Braxton actressmusic starentrepreneur Queen Latifah and craft brewer Meg Gill from Vicelandamp8217s Beerland series amp160The rousing ovation of the night came early on for Abbe Raven back as interim Chief Executive of AE replacing Nancy Dubuc who is moving as CEO of Vice Media next month amp160amp8220Women are leading hereamp8221 Raven told the audience amp160amp8220This is one of the most powerful portfolios in all of cableamp8221 amp160All of the speakers coming after her in one way or another cited the companyamp8217s willingness to bring important subjects and underrepresented communities to the screen whether in scripted or unscripted fashionamp160 Six costar Olivia Munn pictured at bottom added that AE showcases women as multidimensional amp160amp8220We have to be more aware of the socioimpressions we put out in the worldamp8221 she declared amp160amp8220Iamp8217m unapologetic for being strong and for being smartamp8221 amp160Grade 4 JacksNews amp160Lifetime delivered both scripted and unscripted newsamp160 On September 9 the longawaited new adaptation of the classic chiller The Bad Seed will debut followed by the launch of new relationship drama series You from Sera Gamble and Greg Berlanti amp160Oscar nominee Patty McCormack the played the title character in the original 1950s play and movie will play the psychiatrist who treats this versionamp8217s killer child amp160Braxton who starred in the recent madefor film Faith Under Fire will do more original flicks for the network starting with a holiday season production amp160Latifah has two specials in the worksamp160 Where Did the Women of HipHop Go and a look at a new rendition of her breakthrough rap song UNITYamp160 amp160Over on History look for History 100 a collection of 100 original documentary specials capturing landmark events over the last century amp160History also will go live July 8 for a threehour recreation of stunts by motorcycle legend Evil Knievel amp160On AampampE Born This Way Live PD Intervention and Leah Remini Scientology and the Aftermath will return for new seasons this fall or winter joined by series newcomers Many Sides of Jane Lost For Life The Accused and Employable Me amp160Grade 35 JacksHosts amp160Each speaker stayed on engaging point no matter what channel they were speaking about Leah Remini praised AampampE for giving a home to her TCA Award and Criticsamp8217 Choice Awardwinning seriesamp160 amp8220Iamp8217m one of the lucky onesamp8221 she said having been given the chance at a new life after Scientology amp160Added Gill amp160amp8220I raise my glass actually a beer can to youamp8221 amp160Grade 4 JacksStar Time amp160There were stars everywhere during the cocktail hour including John Stamos Olivia Munn Leah Remini Desus Nice and the Kid Mero Dan Abramsamp160and Penn Badgley amp160A performance of the song amp8220Save Meamp8221 kicked off the presentation amp160Wish I could say who the female singer was but she was not identified on the video screen amp160Young girls joined her midway through for a modern dance sequence amp160Grade 3 JacksCuisine amp160A mixed bagamp160 There was a wonderful assortment of appetizers to nosh on during the cocktail hour followed by two dinner entrees from which guests could choose amp160Both looked extremely unappetizing amp160Best eats Peking duck wontons and Caesar salad bitesamp160 Worst eat the filet mignon served at dinner amp160Grade 4 Jacks for the appetizers 2 Jacks for the dinner menu amp160Note Cuisine ratings do not impact the overall Jacks scoreData Insight amp160AE History and Viceland showed yeartoyear increases in viewership according to Executive Vice President of Ad Sales Peter Olsen amp160More clarity on what viewer demographics were leading this charge and why would have raised this Jacks callamp160 Grade 25 JacksInnovative Opportunity amp160Utilizing results of an upcoming AE research study concerning the impact content has on specific product purchasesamp160 The study is expected to come out before summer amp160Grade 3 JacksOverall Grade 4 Jacksamp160amp160 Nicelypaced salute to some of the women involved oncamera or off taking place in a sparkling yet intimate environmentOur Jacks rating system5 Jacks Excellent4 Jacks Very Good3 Jacks Good2 Jacks Fair1 Jack Poor0 Jacks Donamp8217t go therePhotos by Juan AyalaClick the social buttons above or below to share this content with your friends and colleaguesThe opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author andor subjects and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNet Inc management or associated writersamp160

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Upfront News and Views: A+E Networks' Impressive Parade of Powerful Women

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Simon Applebaum

We Are the Outliers - By Jack Myers

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Upfront News and Views: A+E Networks' Impressive Parade of Powerful Women

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We Are the Outliers - By Jack Myers

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