Bill Clinton to speak at HRTS event

Ex-president to address 'newsmaker' reception

By DANIEL FRANKEL

Clinton

The status of its annual network prexy luncheon remains on hold, but the Hollywood Radio and Television Society has managed to ink an ex president for an evening event to kick of its "newsmaker" season.

The org has secured Bill Clinton for a private reception, speech and moderated Q&A (moderator TBA) to be held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel Oct. 18.

It's understood that the Clinton event does not replace the network chieftains lunch, a biz tradition that has been in limbo for the past few weeks pending the resolution of a disagreement with NBC Universal TV over which exec should rep the Peacock.

According to insiders, NBC doesn't think either of its co-chairman, Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff, would be appropriate to put onstage next to a cadre of rival entertainment presidents (Daily Variety, Oct. 6).

NBC has instead suggested putting its scripted series topper, the exec VP Teri Weinberg, on the panel, but rivals have balked, noting that Silverman was at the powwow last year as chair.