Fm: Marvin Skolnick, NBC Films

To: Irene Kramer, Network Research Department

Re: Saving Private Lynch: The Made-for-TV Movie

Kiddo, don't worry about the mess. That's what our high-priced writers get paid to clean up. It's a question of shaping, trimming, like keeping a plane on course. What people remember are the first sensational reports they heard, not the page 17, nit-picking follow-ups. We'll keep the issues uncomplicated, black and white, like G.W. Bush: evil vs. good. Don't muddy the waters by asking too many whys, putting in too many shades of gray.

For that matter, Gulf War II itself was a made-for-TV film, from the first breathtaking sound and light show over Baghdad, to George W. B's sensationally scripted jet landing on the Abraham Lincoln.

You gotta understand that what people want is something simple to believe in. Jessica's rescue gave Americans that; it gave us -- and our president -- a shot in the arm when we most needed it. And believe me, that's the way we'll tell it.

Marvin

P.S. Re your memo: Thanks. I've deleted it from my hard drive and backup. Make sure you and your staff do the same.

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