Brandon Tartikoff

Brandon Tartikoff

Tartikoff was NBC's programming genius. He helped develop many hit shows such as Hill Street Blues (1981–87), Cheers (1982–93), L.A. Law (1986–94), The Cosby Show (1982–89), and Family Ties (1982–89). He was hired as a program executive at ABC in 1976 and moved to NBC in 1977, becoming the youngest-ever president of NBC at the age of 30. During his tenure (1980–91), NBC climbed from third to first place among the three major networks.Tartikoff later became chairman of Paramount Pictures (1991–92) and worked for America Online's entertainment service.