2005年NPR美国国家公共电台九月-Eisner Bids Farewell to Disney

In today's business news, we look at the end of an era at Walt/ Disney.
Today is Michael Eisner 's last day as chief executive of the Walt Disney company.
NPR's Kim Masters has this report:

Eisner held the top job at Disney for 21 years , that's a good run, but when he speculated on his longevity¹ a few years ago on the

Charlie Rose Show, he thought he might stay longer than that.
Well, assuming good health which I have, I would expect to stay there forever at least as long as I am alive.

When Eisner took over as chairman and chief executive in 1984, Disney was adrift, he moved quickly to exploit the company’s untapped resources. he boosted profits instantly merely by raising the price of a ticket to the theme parks.
The company made a fortune by releasing its animated² classics on video. Eisner’s team then transformed Disney into a media colossus.
The company acquired ABC and ESPN, opened new theme parks and launched cruise ships as well as Broadway shows .
It released animated hits like Beauty and the Beast and Lion King.
But in the latter half of his tenure³, Eisner engaged in a series of high profile battles, an embarrassing and costly⁴ lawsuit⁵ resulted after his 1994 firing of studio chief Jeffrey Katzenberg, who had presided over Disney's resurgence⁶ in animation⁷. More litigation sprang from his expensive firing of former super agent Michael Ovitz as president of the company in 1996.and there were other draining fights .
As Disney 's homegrown animation faltered⁸ after Katzenberg 's departure, the company enjoyed a partnership⁹ with animation powerhouse Pixar until Eisner clashed with Steven Jobs.
Then there was Einser's run-in with Roy Disney. Walt’s nephew led a devastating¹⁰ shareholder¹¹ revolt in 2004 ,that led to Eisner losing his chairman's title and eventually his job.
Eisner 's departure came far sooner than he anticipated .
At 63 Eisner may well have another act in him, but what he plans to do next is not known.
Back when he talked to Charlie Rose , he was only 55,and he couldn’t envision life after Disney .
Can you imagine leaving at 65? No . you cann't .
No ,no ,what would I do? I do not know ,I am not good at gardening ,you don't want to.......
It seems doubtful that Eisner 's future will involve a rake and a bag of fertilizer.
Replacing Eisner at Disney is former No 2 man Robert Iger ,he has already made peace with Roy Disney. Many in Hollywood expect/ that a new deal with Pixar is next .

Kim Masters ,NPR news, Los Angeles.

1 longevity   

n.长命；长寿

参考例句：

• Good habits promote longevity.良好的习惯能增长寿命。
• Human longevity runs in families.人类的长寿具有家族遗传性。

2 animated   

adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的

参考例句：

• His observations gave rise to an animated and lively discussion.他的言论引起了一场气氛热烈而活跃的讨论。
• We had an animated discussion over current events last evening.昨天晚上我们热烈地讨论时事。

3 tenure   

n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期

参考例句：

• He remained popular throughout his tenure of the office of mayor.他在担任市长的整个任期内都深得民心。
• Land tenure is a leading political issue in many parts of the world.土地的保有权在世界很多地区是主要的政治问题。

4 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

5 lawsuit   

n.诉讼，控诉

参考例句：

• They threatened him with a lawsuit.他们以诉讼威逼他。
• He was perpetually involving himself in this long lawsuit.他使自己无休止地卷入这场长时间的诉讼。

6 resurgence   

n.再起，复活，再现

参考例句：

• A resurgence of his grief swept over Nim.悲痛又涌上了尼姆的心头。
• Police say drugs traffickers are behind the resurgence of violence.警方说毒贩是暴力活动重新抬头的罪魁祸首。

7 animation   

n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作

参考例句：

• They are full of animation as they talked about their childhood.当他们谈及童年的往事时都非常兴奋。
• The animation of China made a great progress.中国的卡通片制作取得很大发展。

8 faltered   

（嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃

参考例句：

• He faltered out a few words. 他支吾地说出了几句。
• "Er - but he has such a longhead!" the man faltered. 他不好意思似的嚅嗫着：“这孩子脑袋真长。”

9 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

10 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

11 shareholder   

n.股东，股票持有人

参考例句：

• The account department have prepare a financial statement for the shareholder.财务部为股东准备了一份财务报表。
• A shareholder may transfer his shares in accordance with the law.股东持有的股份可以依法转让。