Unscripted audiobook cover - The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy

Unscripted

The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy

James B Stewart and Rachel Abrams

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Unscripted
The Redstone Family+
Predatory Relationships+
The Coup and Reconciliation+
The CBS #MeToo Crisis+
Key Takeaways+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 5
What was a primary cause of the strained professional relationship between Sumner Redstone and his daughter Shari?
  • A. She refused to work in the family business and instead pursued a career in politics.
  • B. They frequently clashed over major business decisions, such as the 2004 plan to split Viacom and CBS.
  • C. She attempted to forcefully remove him from his position as chairman while he was still in perfect health.
  • D. He disapproved of her lifestyle choices and publicly threatened to cut her out of his will.
Question 2 of 5
How did Sydney Holland and Manuela Herzer secure $45 million each from Sumner Redstone in 2014?
  • A. They secretly transferred the funds out of his corporate accounts while he was medically incapacitated.
  • B. They threatened to release damaging information to the press about his past business dealings.
  • C. They convinced him to give them the money he was planning to leave them after his death while he was still alive.
  • D. They successfully sued him for emotional distress and breach of contract after he broke off his engagements.
Question 3 of 5
What sequence of events led to the removal of Sydney Holland and Manuela Herzer from Sumner Redstone's mansion?
  • A. Shari Redstone obtained a court order to forcefully evict them after winning a lengthy legal battle.
  • B. Adult Protective Services intervened and legally mandated their removal due to elder abuse.
  • C. Sumner's lawyer discovered they were embezzling company funds and had them arrested.
  • D. Herzer exposed Holland's secret affair to Sumner, getting her kicked out, and later the nursing staff exposed Herzer's lies, resulting in her removal.
Question 4 of 5
According to the text, what was the most scandalous aspect of the Les Moonves controversy at CBS?
  • A. The fact that he embezzled millions of dollars from CBS to pay off his accusers.
  • B. The CBS board's reluctance to investigate the allegations and their slow response to what was seemingly an open secret.
  • C. The revelation that Shari Redstone had fabricated the allegations to remove him from power.
  • D. His manipulation of Sumner Redstone's dementia to legally steal control of National Amusements.
Question 5 of 5
How did Shari Redstone's reputation fare at the end of the various corporate and family scandals?
  • A. She was disgraced after it was revealed she orchestrated the toxic culture at CBS.
  • B. She lost control of the family empire and was forced into early retirement.
  • C. She emerged with her reputation intact, viewed as a loyal daughter and competent business leader.
  • D. She was legally barred from taking over Viacom and CBS due to her mishandling of her father's estate.

Unscripted — Full Chapter Overview

Unscripted Summary & Overview

Unscripted (2023) is the outrageous true story of Sumner Redstone, the former chairman and controlling shareholder of ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global). It focuses on the eventful final years of Redstone’s life, as well as the downfall of his successor at CBS, Les Moonves.

Who Should Listen to Unscripted?

  • Fans of TV dramas like Succession
  • People who enjoy juicy nonfiction and true crime
  • Anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes glimpse of corporate America

About the Author: James B Stewart and Rachel Abrams

James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams are Pulitzer-winning journalists who have both written for the New York Times. Abrams was on the reporting team that exposed the sexual misconduct of Harvey Weinstein and other prominent figures. Stewart is the author of eleven books, including Den of Thieves and Deep State.

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