Hi, I'm Jim Miller, welcoming you back to Origins, a presentation of C-13 Originals,

a K-13 studio.

Let me begin with two quick but heartfelt rounds of thanks.

First, we usually appreciate your returning to Origins after the power is to be a K-13,

my production partner, allowed me to take a sabbatical to finish my latest book, Tinder

Box, HBO's ruthless pursuit of new frontiers.

Second, we can't thank you enough for the enthusiastic support you gave to our most recent

chapter of Origins, marking the 20th anniversary of almost famous and its renewed status as

a movie milestone.

The response was overwhelming, including incredible feedback from director Cameron Crowe, Kate Hudson,

Billy Crudup, and others who would generously share their memories.

Now, we rock on to where newest chapter of Origins titled HBO, Present, Past, and Future,

a look inside HBO, its beginnings, its programming pedigree, and its complicated route ahead.

You might think that after spending the past three years entrenched in all things HBO,

along with conducting 757 interviews for the book, I might feel burned out on the topic.

Well, I'm byy, but I don't.

And that's why I sought out new interviews since the book was published with key figures

to bring this podcast to life.

As HBO approaches its 50th anniversary this fall, there's much to discuss whether you read

or listen to Tinder Box or not.

It was very depressing once I was out.

It was a tough time leaving HBO.

...