Dirk Hoogstra, David McKillop & Rob Sharenow
Dirk Hoogstra
Title: EVP/GM, History and H2
Years in Cable: 18
Education: BA, Psychology
Best Advice: Follow your passion.
David McKillop
Title: EVP/GM, A&E
Years in Cable: 30
Education: BA, History & Biology
Best Advice: Have a vision, be demanding.
Rob Sharenow
Title: EVP/GM, Lifetime
Years in Cable: 14
Education: Brandeis University
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Know what you want and go for it. (that’s eight, but who’s counting?)
As the heads of A&E’s biggest nets, this trio has a pulse on what’s hot. From “Vikings,” to “Bates Motel” to those “Devious Maids.” But there’s more to their success than those hit series. McKillop led the rollout of a new brand identity for A&E this past year, including the new tagline “Be Original.” Sharenow and company are busy rebuilding Lifetime’s brand, bringing a record 400 hours to Lifetime in 2014. And Hoogstra can be counted on to lead the vision for H2, with a smorgasbord of new series in the works.
Hoogstra
Desert Island Album? Frank Black, Frank Black
Beach or Mountains? Both…simultaneously.
The last time I had a good laugh: When my daughter told her class during a presentation that her daddy makes adult films.
Dish I can make that would impress celebrity chef: Sloppy Joe from scratch. Wicked good.
Favorite show as a kid: “Tenspeed” and “Brownshoe”
McKillop
I watch the majority of programming on this device: iPad, thank you Google Drive
TV show I’d most like to have a cameo in: “Game of Thrones”
John, Paul, George or Ringo? Lennon and McCartney had successful careers on their own but they were clearly at their best writing together.
Cable exec I’d most like to see twerking: I think twerking may be dead, thank goodness.
Cable exec I’d least like to see twerking: No more twerking!
Frank Underwood or Nick Brody? Nick Brody
Twitter or Instagram? Instagram
My favorite newfound hobby: Snapchat
One thing I would do all the time if I could: Snapchat
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: Snapchat
Justin Bieber or Miley? Miley, scary to say she seems more in control.
Oscars or Grammys? Oscars
Favorite Restaurant: Nothing like a home-cooked meal
Favorite vacation spot: Northern France and Old Lyme, CT
Beach or mountains? Beach
Alec Baldwin… NY or LA? LA, it’s your turn.
Who’s on deck for the next celebrity meltdown? Betty White
The last time I had a good laugh: I’m having a good time with these questions.
Sharenow
I watch the majority of programming on this device: At home, my family and I watch most of our content together on a traditional TV. At work, however, I watch everything on my computer or iPad.
TV show I’d most like to have a cameo in: I’m already negotiating to be a bloody victim in one of our scripted series “Witches of East End” or “Devious Maids.”
John, Paul, George or Ringo? I could spend several hours answering this question. But if pushed for a reply, I would have to say Paul.
Twitter or Instagram? I’m pioneering a new platform that combines both. I’m thinking about calling it Instatwit. Or perhaps Twistagram.
One thing I would do all the time if I could: Watch more TV. Seriously. I’m way behind on almost all of my shows.
Justin Bieber or Miley? We are more of a Taylor Swift household.
Oscars or Grammys? Emmys, of course.
Favorite Restaurant: Rosa’s La Scarbitta in Mamaroneck
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere with my family.
Beach or mountains? Beach.
Favorite TV show as a kid: There are too many to list, but here are a few (yes, I’m a child of the ‘70s and ‘80s): “Mary Tyler Moore,” “Twilight Zone,” “M*A*S*H,” “Hill Street Blues,” “Star Trek,” “The Carol Burnett Show,” “Gilligan’s Island,” “The Brady Bunch” and “Lost in Space.” I just had breakfast with Peter Roth, who worked on the “Krofft Supershow,” which I also loved.
The last time I had a good laugh: My wife and I both laughed extremely hard during a few scenes of “The Wolf of Wall Street.” One of the reasons we’re so well matched is because we have the same strange sense of humor.
