Anne Sweeney Quotes

I think American Idol is a great career launcher. A blessing for all of us.

Right after 'Desperate' sold to China, we were the most watched show around the world at the time. That's really something great to be a part of.

'Entourage' is a great show, but it's fantasy. I spent my twenties in L.A. in this business, and my life didn't look anything like that. 'Big Bang' reflects a side of men that is rarely shown. We see their flaws - all of them.

I'm always being asked if I watch 'The X Factor,' and I do from time to time. I know it makes for great TV and that Simon Cowell has a real gift.

I'm a shareholder in three networks in Holland. That allows me to put ideas that we create in Holland on air in Holland, and if it works, then we distribute the show's format globally.

Directors, like actors, get typecast. And because I've had great success with comedy and horror and TV shows, that's basically what I'm kind of offered.

If there's room for 30 reality shows, surely there's room for two amazing costume dramas.

'Orange Is the New Black' and 'Sense8' have enjoyed great success all over the world.

'Entourage' is a staple L.A.-based show, and people say it's pretty real, and I thought it was. It's an exaggeration of the truth.

For me, I feel like reality TV is anything but these days.

Reality is a genre that seems to be here to stay. I don't know how many of the new shows will last, but the more competition you have, the harder that pie is to slice up.

My entire schedule gets turned around for 'The Bachelor' and 'Bachelor in Paradise.'

The first time I did Cake Boss or Ice-T or Andrew Lloyd Webber was on 'Best Week Ever.'

After my show and others like it began airing on TV, network executives started to see that there was a market for outrageous, over-the-top content.

I don't like reality television, but it pays so much money.

'The X Factor' was the final push I needed to have the presence and confidence on stage, which I didn't have before. It's a crash course in the music industry. If you can survive the show, you're ready for the industry.

We're fortunate to have had success, not just in America but worldwide.

I hope K-dramas can make inroads into more Asian countries.

Reality shows make you more bold and you learn new skills like dancing, anchoring.

A lot of people make hay about 'American Idol's ratings and 'Empire.'

Many people have been able to get pitch meetings by just cold calling, especially the smaller networks and especially with the reality shows.

Do we really require so many gardening programmes, makeover programmes or celebrity chefs?

The truth is there's so many great TV shows out there now that none of us take absence of awards personally. The most important feedback is the feedback we get from the fans.

I just recently crossed over into Europe. They're showing my special Hot and Fluffy in Europe and selling the DVD there too. And they're doing the same thing in Australia and Canada. And I think the biggest part was I did the special in a predominantly Latino area, but I kept the show mainstream and across the board.

Moving people into reality TV is a mistake.