Brian Graden
{{short description|American television executive (born 1963)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Brian Graden
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|3|23}}
| birth_place =
| education = Oral Roberts University (BA)
Harvard University (MBA)
| occupation = Media executive
}}
Brian Graden (born March 23, 1963) is an American television executive and founder and CEO of Emmy-winning Brian Graden Media, founded in 2013. Its series include Create Together (Emmy winner), Escape the Night, HitRECord on TV (Emmy winner), Finding Prince Charming, Lance Loves Michael: The Lance Bass Wedding Special, Walk of Shame, Gay Skit Happens, and The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
Graden was previously a senior vice president at Foxlab, Fox’s alternative programming unit. While there he oversaw shows like COPS and America’s Most Wanted. He also created the relationship show, STUDS. In 1997, he became MTV’s executive VP of programming, and was put in charge of all programming. This was a change for MTV, as the network previously had four programming executives. In 2002, he was promoted to president of programming for MTV and MTV2. Later that year, after being asked to assess a struggling VH1, he was named President of Entertainment, MTV and VH1. He was responsible for the programming strategy and development slate for VH1, and the creative and business developments of MTV, MTV2, CMT, and eventually Logo, which was launched in 2005 as the first 24 hour gay and lesbian network with Graden as president.
As President of Entertainment, Graden oversaw and/or greenlit shows like Total Request Live, The Osbournes, Jackass, Jersey Shore, and Teen Moms for MTV; Best Week Ever and I Love the 80s for VH1; and RuPaul’s Drag Race for Logo.
Prior to his work with MTV, Graden worked with Trey Parker and Matt Stone as an executive producer of the hit animated series South Park.
Early life and education
Graden grew up in Hillsboro, Illinois, and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1981. He graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1985 with a degree in business, and later graduated with an MBA from Harvard University.
Career
= Fox Network =
Graden began working in television, ultimately becoming a senior vice president at Foxlab, Fox's alternative-programming unit, where he oversaw shows like COPS{{Cite web |title=Cops |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/cops/1000242631/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}} and America's Most Wanted.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-01 |title=Brian Graden: Stress Less and Trust the Work |url=https://patch.com/california/los-angeles/brian-graden-stress-less-trust-work |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=Los Angeles, CA Patch |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=America's Most Wanted |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/americas-most-wanted/1000187655/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Allison |date=2003-09-08 |title=His Finger Is on the Pulse of Pop Culture |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/his-finger-pulse-pop-culture-100452 |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=Broadcasting Cable |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |date=1998-09-13 |title=Graden |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/graden/ |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=Los Angeles Business Journal |language=en-US}}
= [[South Park]] (Comedy Central) =
In 1995, he hired Trey Parker and Matt Stone to create a video Christmas card after seeing their animated short The Spirit of Christmas.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=George |date=2022-09-09 |title=10 Influential Early Web Animations |url=https://listverse.com/2022/09/09/10-influential-early-web-animations/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Listverse |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Gillette |first=Felix |date=2009-08-18 |title=The Reinvention of Brian Graden |url=https://observer.com/2009/08/the-reinvention-of-brian-graden/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Observer |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |date=2019-12-24 |title=Watch the First 'South Park' Short 'The Spirit of Christmas' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/south-park-spirit-of-christmas-video-short-39256/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} This led to the hit video “Jesus vs. Santa.” Parker and Stone decided to further develop their characters and pitch a show to Fox. When the network decided not to pursue Stone’s and Parker’s animated series South Park, Graden left Fox and became an executive producer for the series.{{Cite web |title=South Park |url=https://www.emmys.com/content/south-park-5 |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Television Academy |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2002-05-15 |title=Brian Graden Named President Entertainment, MTV and VH1 |url=https://idobi.com/news/brian-graden-named-president-entertainment-mtv-and-vh1/ |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=idobi Network |language=en-US}} It was picked up by Comedy Central.
South Park celebrated its 25th anniversary in August 2022 with a concert in Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater.{{Cite web |last=Kluft |first=Alex |date=2022-08-15 |title=Bass Magazine's South Park: The 25th Anniversary Concert Recap |url=https://bassmagazine.com/artists/bass-magazines-south-park-the-25th-anniversary-concert-recap |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Bass Magazine |language=en-us}} It was a three-hour, 30-song event with Trey Parker and Matt Stone, performances from Primus and Ween, and a musical cameo from two members of Rush.{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Ryan |date=2022-07-20 |title=Comedy Central to Air South Park 25th Anniversary Concert Event (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/south-park-25th-anniversary-concert-premiere-comedy-central-1235183448/ |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Eustice |first=Kyle |date=2022-08-11 |title=South Park's 25th Anniversary Concert at Red Rocks Is a Rush, in More Ways Than One |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/south-park-anniversary-concert-rush-red-rocks-primus-1235339159/ |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Variety}}
= MTV Networks =
In November 1997, Graden joined MTV as executive vice president of programming.{{Cite news|title=Vid channels feel merger mania; Strides made online|last=Hay|first=Carla|date=27 December 1997|magazine=Billboard|id = {{ProQuest|227102196}}}}{{Cite web |date=1997-12-17 |title=Graden's MTV mandate |url=https://variety.com/1997/music/news/graden-s-mtv-mandate-111780390/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Under the role, Graden was responsible for all of MTV’s programming. This was a new structure for the network as it had previously had four programming executives.{{Cite book |last=Epstein |first=Jeffrey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y2MEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Brian+Graden&pg=PA76 |title=The Advocate |date=2000-05-23 |publisher=Here Publishing |isbn= |pages=77–79 |language=en |issn=0001-8996}}
In 2001, MTV partnered with groups including the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to run a campaign that examined hate crimes.{{Cite news |last=Wehrman |first=Jessica |date=2001-01-10 |title=MTV to help head off hate |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/arts/mtv-to-help-head-off-hate/article1029392/ |access-date=2022-11-07}} The campaign included using 17 hours of air time to run a scroll listing the names of hundreds of victims of hate crimes.
In 2002, Graden was promoted to president of programming for MTV and MTV2.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2009-06-15 |title=Brian Graden leaving MTV Networks |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/brian-graden-leaving-mtv-networks-85409/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} He was responsible for creative content on all platforms, and oversaw music, news and specials, production, talent and artist relations, animation, scheduling, and series development.
In the spring of 2002 he was asked to assess VH1, which was struggling. After his review, he was put in charge of restructuring the network and was named President Entertainment, MTV and VH1. This made him additionally responsible for developing the programming strategy and development slate for VH1, as well as the creative and business developments of MTV, MTV2, CMT, and Logo.
In 2005, Graden helped oversee the launch of Logo, the first 24-hour, completely ad-supported gay and lesbian cable network.{{Cite web |last=Fonseca |first=Nicholas |date=2005-07-01 |title=The Logo channel begins its run this week |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/07/01/logo-channel-begins-its-run-this-week/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Entertainment |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2005-06-28 |title=Brian Graden looks forward to Logo launch (16370) |url=http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/entertainment-news/2005/06/28/brian-graden-looks-forward-logo-launch-16370 |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=www.advocate.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sternbergh |first=Adam |date=2005-06-16 |title=Brian Graden and Logo, the New Gay TV Channel |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/tv/12045/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=New York Magazine |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=June |date=2012-07-04 |title=Gay TV is not just for gays anymore, Logo is finding |url=https://www.startribune.com/gay-tv-is-not-just-for-gays-anymore-logo-is-finding/161255825/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Star Tribune}} Graden was also president of Logo.
In the April 2007 issue of Out, Graden was ranked the number ten most powerful gay person in America.{{Cite web |date=2007-04-03 |title=The Power 50 |url=http://www.out.com/out-exclusives/power-50/2007/04/03/power-50 |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=www.out.com |language=en}} He has also been named one of the most influential executives in reality programming.{{cite web |url=http://www.tvweek.com/real-power-08/index.php |title=Brian Graden: President of entertainment, MTV Networks Music Channels |publisher=Tvweek.com |access-date=2013-11-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104075906/http://www.tvweek.com/real-power-08/index.php |archive-date=2013-11-04 }}
= Brian Graden Media =
In 2009, Graden announced he was stepping down as the president of entertainment at MTV Networks in order to focus on writing a musical, Limbo, and two books. In 2013, he founded Brian Graden Media (BGM) and serves as CEO.{{Cite web |last=Kacala |first=Alexander |date=2021-11-05 |title=The 'Old Gays' are getting their own docuseries |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-pop-culture/old-gays-are-getting-docuseries-rcna4620 |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=NBC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2021-10-29 |title=Brian Graden Media Bolsters Development Team With John Magennis As SVP & Bri Reed As Manager |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/brian-graden-media-development-team-john-magennis-svp-bri-reed-manager-1234864939/ |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} The company’s original works have aired on Oxygen, Logo, YouTube, Netflix, and other networks.{{Cite web |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=2016-07-12 |title=Lance Bass To Host Logo's 'Finding Prince Charming' Gay Dating Competition Series |url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/lance-bassfinding-prince-charming-logo-gay-dating-series-1201785247/ |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} This includes Finding Prince Charming (Logo), Lance Loves Michael: The Lance Bass Wedding Special (E!), Walk of Shame (VH1), The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway (Oxygen), and Gay Skit Happens (Logo).{{Cite web |last=Robbins |first=Caryn |title=THE DISAPPEARANCE OF NATALEE HOLLOWAY is Highest-Rated True Crime Series Premiere in Oxygen History |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/THE-DISAPPEARANCE-OF-NATALEE-HOLLOWAY-is-Highest-Rated-True-Crime-Series-Premiere-in-Oxygen-History-20170830 |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}
BGM’s show HitRECord on TV, which was created, hosted, and directed by Joseph Gordon Levitt,{{Cite web |last=Easton |first=Anne |date=2015-06-10 |title=Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Why 'HitRECord ON TV' Is 'Bizarre and F*cking Awesome' |url=https://observer.com/2015/06/joseph-gordon-levitt-on-why-hitrecord-on-tv-is-bizarre-and-fcking-awesome/ |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Observer |language=en-US}} has been nominated for Emmys twice, and won an Emmy in 2014, and the program Create Together won an Emmy in 2020.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-09-01 |title=Television Academy Announces Juried Winners for 72nd Emmy Awards |url=https://soundandpicture.com/2020/09/television-academy-announces-juried-winners-for-72nd-emmy-awards/ |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Sound & Picture |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bolden |first=Juliana J. |date=2014-08-14 |title=Joseph Gordon-Levitt on 'Hitrecord On TV' Winning an Emmy Award |url=https://www.emmys.com/news/industry-news/video-joseph-gordon-levitt-hitrecord-tv-winning-an-emmy-award |access-date=2022-11-07 |website=Television Academy |language=en}}
In November 2021, BGM signed TikTok stars Robert Reeves, Mick Peterson, Bill Lyons, and Jessay Martin, to develop a docuseries about their lives. The four are known as the “Old Gays.”
In June 2022, Netflix greenlit Stand Out: The Documentary, which examines the history of LGBTQ stand-up comedy.{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2022-06-09 |title=Netflix Greenlights 'Stand Out: The Documentary', A Look At The History Of LGBTQ Stand-Up Comedy |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/netflix-greenlights-stand-out-the-documentary-a-look-at-the-history-of-lgbtq-stand-up-comedy-1235041445/ |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} It will combine original performances, interviews, archival materials, and backstage vérité footage while exploring themes such as “comedy as activism, diversity in stand-up, new queer culture, and mainstreaming the alternative.” The executive producers are Graden, Dave Mace, and LB Horschler from BGM, and Wanda Sykes from Push It Productions.
Series
Graden assisted in the development of and/or at one time oversaw:
Fox
Comedy Central
- South Park{{Cite web |title=South Park |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/south-park/1030177962/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}
MTV
- Boiling Points{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Denise |date=2004-12-10 |title=MTV dreaming of teens |url=https://variety.com/2004/scene/markets-festivals/mtv-dreaming-of-teens-1117914749/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Boiling Points |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/boiling-points/1000325598/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}
- Celebrity Death Match{{Cite web |title=Celebrity Deathmatch |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/celebrity-deathmatch/1030178662/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}
- Cribs
- High School Stories{{Cite web |title=High School Stories |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/high-school-stories/1030052664/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}
- Jackass{{Cite web |date=2010-10-26 |title=Jackass: An Oral History |url=https://www.maxim.com/entertainment/jackass-oral-history/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=www.maxim.com |language=en-US}}
- Jersey Shore
- Laguna Beach{{Cite web |title=Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/laguna-beach-the-real-orange-county/1030283610/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}
- Next
- Pimp My Ride
- Punk’d
- Room Raiders{{Cite web |title=Room Raiders |url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/room-raiders/1000237936/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=TVGuide.com |language=en}}
- Teen Mom{{Cite web |last=Hawks |first=Asa |date=2015-04-21 |title=MTV announces Teen Mom 2 Season 6 premiere date, more at 2015 Upfront presentation * starcasm.net |url=https://starcasm.net/mtv-announces-teen-mom-2-season-6-premiere-date-2015-upfront-presentation/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=starcasm.net |language=en-US}}
- The Hills
- The Newlyweds{{Cite web |last=Sternbergh |first=Adam |date=2005-06-16 |title=Brian Graden and Logo, the New Gay TV Channel |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/tv/12045/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=New York Magazine |language=en-us}}
- The Osbournes{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Bryan |date=2014-07-10 |title=What's the life cycle of a reality TV family? |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/television/2014/07/10/reality-tv-stars-kardashians-honey-boo-boo-duck-dynasty/12487897/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hartmann |first=Graham |date=2021-05-03 |title='The Osbournes' Is the Most Iconic Reality Show of All Time |url=https://loudwire.com/the-osbournes-iconic-reality-show/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Loudwire |language=en}}
- Total Request Live (TRL)
VH1
Logo
- RuPaul’s Drag Race (moved to VH1 in 2017){{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=2019-10-14 |title=How RuPaul Paved the Way for the Art of Drag to Be Celebrated by the Masses |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/rupaul-variety-vanguard-award-drag-race-pioneer-profile-1203360164/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Brian Graden Media
- Create Together - Emmy winner{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2022-02-22 |title=Brian Graden Media Promotes Dave Mace To President, LB Horschler Rejoins Company As EVP Production |url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/brian-graden-media-dave-mace-president-lb-horschler-evp-production-1234956963/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
- Escape the Night{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Alexandra |date=2018-10-11 |title=Brian Graden: Trust That the Universe Will Open the Right Doors |url=https://patch.com/california/los-angeles/brian-graden-trust-universe-will-open-right-doors |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Los Angeles, CA Patch |language=en}}
- Finding Prince Charming{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2016-09-29 |title='RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars' & 'Finding Prince Charming' Push Logo To Ratings Record |url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/rupauls-drag-race-all-stars-finding-prince-charming-logo-thursday-ratings-record-1201828172/ |access-date=2022-11-11 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
- Gay Skit Happens
- HitRECord on TV - Emmy winner
- Lance Loves Michael: The Lance Bass Wedding Special
- Walk of Shame
- The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway
Awards
Graden received:
- The EQCA Equality Leadership Award in 2005{{Cite web |date=2005-08-25 |title=Equality California Makes 2005 Awards |url=https://smmirror.com/2005/08/equality-california-makes-2005-awards/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=SM Mirror |language=en-US}}
- The GLAAD Media Vito Russo Award for Excellence in Media
- The EQCA Award for Commitment to Advancing LGBT Equality
- The Equality Forum’s National Role Model award for his commitment to civil rights for the LGBT community
Brian Graden Media received:
- 2014 Emmy Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media - Social TV Experience - HitRECord on TV
- 2020 Creative Arts Emmy Award - Outstanding Innovation in Interactive Programming - Create Together{{Cite web |title=Create Together With Joseph Gordon-Levitt |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/create-together-joseph-gordon-levitt |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Television Academy |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-06-26-logo-network_x.htm?csp=34 Interview] with USA Today
- {{IMDb name|0333536}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Presidents of programming of MTV}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Graden, Brian}}
Category:21st-century American Jews
Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people
Category:GLAAD Media Awards winners
Category:Oral Roberts University alumni
Category:Harvard Business School alumni
Category:American television executives
Category:20th-century American Jews
Category:American LGBTQ businesspeople
Category:LGBTQ people from Illinois