There's no how-the-mighty-have-fallen pleasure to be extracted at the latest celebrity bust. Chris Albrecht, who has masterminded HBO's phenomenal, precedent-busting run of innovative TV hits, was arrested for hitting his girlfriend after they watched the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight. It's easy to argue that Albrecht's the most important producer of his generation, even though he works in the ghetto of TV (a ghetto that he's helped regentrify). His list of credits:* The Sopranos* (which wraps its final season next month, more bad news for the network), Sex and the City, Oz, Six Feet Under, Deadwood, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Band of Brothers and Entourage, plus *Everyone Loves Raymond *and Martin.
Before entering the TV fray, Albrecht worked as a stand-up comic, owned The Improv and was a leading talent agent (clients included Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy and Whoopi Goldberg). HBO's strong tradition of comedy programming is part of his legacy. Albrecht, as much as being a tastemaker and talent watcher, is also an innovator. HBO hasn't shied away from video-on-demand services, making its hit shows available to subscribers for anytime viewing.
Nikki Finke posted the letter Albrecht gave his staff.
