McPherson v. Silverman: It's on

After his press session today, ABC Entertainment president Steve McPherson went after new NBC co-chairman Ben Silverman like Dick Cheney on Harry Whittington.

Speaking to reporters, McPherson implied Silverman knifed Kevin Reilly – former NBC Entertainment and current Fox Entertainment president and McPherson’s close friend – in the back.

“Kevin Reilly is the guy who stood up for ‘The Office’ (produced by Silverman's company Reveille) against all opposition,” McPherson said. “That made Reveille."

Silverman, when asked about Reilly’s firing 10 days ago, deflected the question. His colleague Marc Graboff said, “He wasn't fired. What happened was when Ben became available, about three months
after we made Kevin's new deal, we jumped at the opportunity to bring Ben on board to the company. We thought he would be able to be the person that was going to take us to the next level. Kevin, when that happened, realized or determined, frankly, that there was just no role for him at the company and decided to move on.”

"I got as big a laugh out of that as you guys did,” McPherson said.

Silverman also deflected questions concerning the controversy surrounding his hiring Isaiah Washington. “He's a wonderful actor and a great performer, and he became available,” Silverman said before being interrupted by reporters’ derisive laughter. “I started talking to him before he was available -- to deal with the laughter,” he added, defensively. “And the idea when he told me he was available, I was like, ‘You are? Wait. They let -- I don't understand. What do you mean? You're a huge star on a star television show.’ I didn't quite understand what had gone on there.”

Again: McPherson: "If that's the case, he's either clueless or stupid."