Introduction
In the glittering world of Hollywood and high-stakes media, few stories are as captivating and shocking as the one told in "Unscripted" by James B. Stewart. This book peels back the curtain on the Redstone media empire, revealing a tale of power, greed, family drama, and scandal that would seem far-fetched even for a soap opera.
At the center of this story is Sumner Redstone, the billionaire mogul who built a media empire including National Amusements, Viacom, CBS, and Paramount. But as Sumner's health declined in his later years, the power struggles and scandals surrounding him intensified, involving his daughter Shari, much younger girlfriends, and even a high-profile case of sexual misconduct at CBS.
"Unscripted" takes readers on a journey through the last decade of Sumner Redstone's reign, offering an insider's look at the drama that unfolded behind closed doors in Los Angeles mansions and New York boardrooms. It's a story that proves truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.
The Redstone Dynasty
Sumner Redstone: The Tenacious Tycoon
Sumner Redstone was not your average nonagenarian. While most people in their 90s might be content with a quiet retirement, Sumner's final years were marked by business battles, family feuds, and scandalous relationships with much younger women.
Sumner's life had always been extraordinary. As a young man, he served in the military, helping to crack Japanese codes before attending Harvard Law School. His business acumen and relentless ambition led him to build a media empire, amassing a fortune estimated at over $2.5 billion.
One incident that perfectly encapsulates Sumner's tenacity occurred in 1979. Trapped in a burning hotel, Sumner hung from a window ledge as flames engulfed his arm. Despite the excruciating pain, he refused to let go, demonstrating the same iron will that made him a titan of industry.
Sumner's personal life was equally dramatic. He remained married to his first wife, Phyllis, for over 50 years, despite numerous affairs. It was only when Phyllis finally had enough of his infidelities that their marriage ended.
Shari Redstone: The Heir Apparent
While Sumner was the patriarch of the Redstone empire, his daughter Shari was a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Ranked by Forbes as one of the most powerful women in the world (even outranking Queen Elizabeth II), Shari shared her father's intelligence and business acumen.
As president of National Amusements and with increasing involvement in Viacom and CBS, Shari was positioned to take over the family empire after Sumner's death. However, the father-daughter relationship was far from smooth sailing.
Despite Shari's adoration of her father and desire for his approval, they frequently clashed over business decisions. One notable dispute arose in 2004 over plans to split Viacom into two separate companies. These disagreements often led to explosive confrontations, with Sumner sending profanity-laced emails to Shari, sometimes copying in Viacom executives.
The tension between Sumner and Shari would only intensify in the years to come, setting the stage for dramatic power struggles within the Redstone empire.
Sumner's Romantic Entanglements
The Unlikely Lothario
Despite his advanced age and unconventional appearance (complete with dyed red hair), Sumner Redstone's wealth and power made him an unlikely but persistent lothario. His romantic pursuits became increasingly eyebrow-raising as he aged, with some of his love interests young enough to have dated his grandson.
One particularly cringe-worthy incident involved Malia Andelin, a 26-year-old flight attendant on Sumner's private jet. After propositioning her with the question "Do you like to be spanked?", Sumner pursued her relentlessly. When Andelin initially refused his advances, she lost her job. Sumner then sent her an extravagant gift – a jewel-encrusted handbag – with a note reading, "I'm a panther and I'm going to pounce." Eventually, Andelin gave in, becoming Sumner's "companion" and accompanying him to Hollywood events.
Lavish Gifts and Financial Entanglements
Sumner's generosity towards his romantic interests was legendary. Women he dated often received extravagant gifts, Viacom stock, and even multimillion-dollar properties. He frequently amended his trust to include his girlfriends as beneficiaries, estimated to have given away more than $20 million to several women, with smaller amounts distributed to many others.
Two women, in particular, would play significant roles in the last years of Sumner's life: Sydney Holland and Manuela Herzer.
Sydney Holland: The Fiancée
Sydney Holland, an attractive 39-year-old entrepreneur struggling financially, met Sumner through a celebrity matchmaker. Sumner became infatuated with her, showering her with gifts and eventually proposing in 2011 with a nine-carat diamond ring.
Manuela Herzer: The Ex-Girlfriend Turned Caretaker
Manuela Herzer, a glamorous Argentinian, had a long history with Sumner. Although she had turned down his marriage proposal years earlier, they remained close, and Herzer continued to benefit from Sumner's generosity.
The $90 Million Payday
In 2014, Holland and Herzer convinced Sumner to give them substantial "gifts" instead of waiting for their inheritance. After selling a large amount of stock, Sumner transferred $45 million to each woman, nearly draining his account in the process.
This arrangement raised eyebrows among Sumner's acquaintances, but his lawyer's response was telling: "You know how he is about women."
The Beverly Park Mansion Drama
A Bizarre Living Arrangement
By 2014, Sumner's Beverly Park mansion had become the setting for an unusual living arrangement. He shared the home with his fiancée, Sydney Holland, as well as his ex-girlfriend, Manuela Herzer. Herzer, who was supposedly staying temporarily while her house was being renovated, showed no signs of leaving.
The atmosphere in the mansion grew tense as staff realized the extent of Holland and Herzer's influence over Sumner. Herzer, in particular, began giving orders and overseeing Sumner's medical care.
Shari's Growing Concern
Shari Redstone watched these developments with increasing alarm. She felt that Holland and Herzer were not only taking advantage of her father but also driving a wedge between her and Sumner. Her distrust of the two women would soon be justified.
Allegations of Abuse
As Sumner's physical and mental health declined, he became entirely dependent on Holland and Herzer. Staff members noticed disturbing behavior from the two women, who were often dismissive, neglectful, or even abusive towards Sumner. There were incidents of them feeding Sumner pieces of food too large for him to swallow, causing him to choke.
Sumner's grandson even confided in Shari, saying, "I think they're trying to kill him." Nurses at the mansion were so concerned that they contacted Adult Protective Services, but no action was taken.
The Downfall of Holland and Herzer
The situation came to a head when Holland's infidelity was exposed. In 2014, she began an affair with a soap actor named George Pilgrim, even getting engaged to him while still engaged to Sumner.
When Herzer discovered the affair, she gave Holland an ultimatum to confess to Sumner. As Holland was pleading for forgiveness, Herzer burst into the room with wild accusations, claiming Holland was a prostitute plotting to kill Sumner with Pilgrim.
Confused and betrayed, Sumner gave Holland two weeks to leave, but Herzer ensured she was gone within 48 hours.
Herzer's Brief Reign and Fall
With Holland out of the picture, Herzer attempted to consolidate her power. However, her reign was short-lived. The mansion staff, led by Sumner's nurses, banded together to inform Sumner of Herzer's deceptive behavior. When confronted, Sumner broke down in tears and told Herzer to leave.
The Aftermath
In the wake of Holland and Herzer's departure, Sumner repeatedly insisted on reclaiming the millions he had given them. A series of lawsuits followed, with both sides slinging mud. During a deposition, when asked about Herzer, Sumner's response was blunt: "She's a fucking bitch."
Eventually, the lawsuits were settled, though Sumner didn't recover the $90 million. With the girlfriends gone, Sumner and Shari finally reconciled, with Shari taking over her father's medical care.
The Changing of the Guard
Sumner's Declining Health
By 2016, Sumner had been diagnosed with dementia and brain damage. It became clear that he could no longer continue as chairman of Viacom and CBS. Philippe Dauman took over at Viacom, while Shari was offered the chair position at CBS.
Enter Les Moonves
In a decision that would have far-reaching consequences, Shari turned down the CBS chairmanship and instead nominated Les Moonves for the position. Little did she know that this choice would lead to another major crisis for the company.
The Les Moonves Scandal
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Les Moonves, the new chairman of CBS, presented himself as a supporter of the #MeToo movement. However, it would soon emerge that he was hiding a dark secret – a history of sexual misconduct that rivaled that of disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein.
Allegations Surface
Rumors of Moonves's inappropriate behavior began to circulate, including accusations of sexual assault from multiple women. It also came to light that Moonves had been involved in sexual relationships with various CBS staff members, including his assistant, whose "duties" reportedly included performing oral sex in his office.
CBS's Slow Response
Despite the mounting allegations, CBS was slow to investigate and reluctant to take action against Moonves. The board seemed content to dismiss the accusations as mere rumors, even as the evidence piled up.
Shari Redstone Takes Action
When Shari Redstone learned of the allegations against Moonves, she was furious. She pushed for an investigation and action, but the CBS board continued to drag its feet.
The New Yorker Exposé
The situation reached a boiling point when The New Yorker published an exposé on Moonves's behavior, sparking public outrage and calls for his suspension. Still, the CBS board hesitated to act.
The Final Straw
A second New Yorker article, written by investigative journalist Ronan Farrow (who had also exposed Harvey Weinstein), proved to be the final nail in Moonves's coffin. The article revealed accusations from six additional women, including incidents of indecent exposure, physical violence, and forced oral sex.
Moonves's Downfall
Despite releasing a statement denying the accusations and claiming any relationships were consensual, Moonves was forced to resign from CBS. The board also decided to withhold his $120 million severance package.
The True Scandal
While Moonves's alleged behavior was undoubtedly appalling, the real scandal lay in CBS's attempted cover-up. The board's reluctance to act, even when Moonves's inappropriate conduct seemed to be an open secret, raised serious questions about corporate culture and accountability.
It's worth noting that without Shari Redstone's pressure on the board to investigate and the negative publicity from The New Yorker articles, Moonves might have remained in his position at CBS.
The Aftermath and Legacy
Sumner Redstone's Final Years
Despite the drama and indignities of his final years, Sumner Redstone's legacy as a media mogul remained largely intact. His personal scandals, while embarrassing, were overshadowed by the larger controversy surrounding Les Moonves at CBS.
Shari Redstone's Triumph
Throughout the tumultuous events described in "Unscripted," Shari Redstone emerged as perhaps the only figure with her reputation enhanced. She proved herself to be a loyal daughter, a competent business leader, and someone willing to take a stand against misconduct, even when it was inconvenient or unpopular.
The Fall of Les Moonves
Les Moonves's downfall served as a stark reminder that even the most powerful figures in entertainment are not immune to the consequences of their actions. His case became another high-profile example of the #MeToo movement's impact on the industry.
Reflections on Power and Accountability
The events chronicled in "Unscripted" offer a sobering look at the dark side of power in the entertainment industry and corporate America. They highlight the need for greater accountability and the importance of listening to and believing victims of misconduct.
Final Thoughts
"Unscripted" by James B. Stewart is a gripping account of the final years of Sumner Redstone's reign over his media empire. It's a story that has it all – family drama, corporate intrigue, scandalous relationships, and the downfall of powerful men.
The book serves as a reminder that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction. The events that unfolded in Sumner Redstone's Beverly Park mansion and the boardrooms of CBS would seem outlandish if presented as a screenplay, yet they actually happened.
Several key themes emerge from this tale:
The corrupting influence of power and wealth: Sumner Redstone's behavior, particularly in his later years, demonstrates how unchecked power and vast wealth can lead to excess and poor decision-making.
The complexity of family dynamics in business: The relationship between Sumner and Shari Redstone illustrates the challenges of mixing family and business, with personal conflicts often spilling over into professional disagreements.
The persistence of "old Hollywood" behavior: The scandals involving both Sumner Redstone and Les Moonves show that despite progress, the entertainment industry still grapples with issues of sexism and abuse of power.
The importance of corporate governance: The CBS board's reluctance to act on the allegations against Les Moonves highlights the need for strong, independent corporate governance to hold even the most powerful executives accountable.
The impact of the #MeToo movement: The downfall of Les Moonves demonstrates the growing power of the #MeToo movement to bring about real change, even at the highest levels of the entertainment industry.
The role of investigative journalism: The New Yorker articles that ultimately led to Moonves's resignation underscore the crucial role that quality journalism plays in exposing wrongdoing and holding the powerful accountable.
As readers, we're left to ponder some difficult questions:
- How much responsibility do corporate boards bear for the actions of their executives?
- What does it take to change entrenched cultures of misconduct in powerful institutions?
- How can we balance the presumption of innocence with the need to take allegations of misconduct seriously?
- What role does the media play in exposing and sometimes perpetuating these scandals?
"Unscripted" doesn't provide easy answers to these questions, but it does offer a compelling look at the human drama behind the headlines. It reminds us that behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and the cold, hard numbers of Wall Street, there are real people making decisions that affect not only their own lives but the lives of many others.
The book is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of accountability. It's also a reminder that even in the highest echelons of power and wealth, human nature – with all its flaws and foibles – remains a driving force.
For anyone interested in the inner workings of media empires, the dynamics of family-run businesses, or the changing landscape of power in the #MeToo era, "Unscripted" offers a fascinating and often shocking glimpse behind the curtain. It's a story that will likely be discussed and dissected for years to come, as its implications continue to ripple through the entertainment industry and beyond.
In the end, "Unscripted" is more than just a salacious tell-all about the rich and famous. It's a deeply human story about ambition, desire, family, and the often blurry line between right and wrong. It serves as a mirror to our society, reflecting both our fascination with power and wealth and our growing demand for accountability and justice.
As we close the book on the Redstone saga, we're left to wonder: What other unscripted dramas are unfolding right now, behind the closed doors of mansions and boardrooms? And when they come to light, as they inevitably will, how will we respond? These are the questions that "Unscripted" leaves us pondering, long after we've turned the final page.