The Barry and Larry Show

Tisch's CBS plans a merger with Diller's QVC, and everybody's happy -- especially the other media giants that may seize the chance to bid for the network

At a Manhattan dinner party three weeks ago, Barry Diller was constantly asked what he was going to do next. The flinty mogul, whose QVC cable network had lost an expensive bid to buy Paramount Communications, would say only, "I'm onto something." Late in the evening, he stood at the door chatting with Don Hewitt, executive producer of CBS's 60 Minutes, and Hewitt's wife, TV newswoman Marilyn Berger. "Barry," Berger said nonchalantly, "you really should come around the show more often." Diller, twinkling and almost winking, replied, "Oh, I'll be around."

Around? Diller is never just around. And he is always...

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