Pre- "Enron" Viewing ---Homework If You Like!

[Scottsacto]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 3:46am

Since "Enron" is one of the viewing choices that I have made for my upcoming NYC Sojourn, I found this documentary playing on CNBC---"Enron-The Smartest Guys in The Room". I TIVO'd it and watched tonight. Really helped to Reacquaint myself with the players in this story. It is also available on Amazon as either a Disc or download. Next Airing on CNBC is tonight @ 8pm EST or 5pm PST.

It is a bit lengthy, but good over view of how this erupted.

(And NO- I am not a shill for NBC or the documentarians!! LOL)

[Katurian2]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 9:20am

Even better- read Kurt Eichenwald's "Conspiracy of Fools." Best book that has been or will be written on Enron, and Arthur Andersen too for that matter.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 9:24am

I really don't think it is necessary though. I saw ENRON knowing nothing about the company or how they operated and everything was explained so clearly that you would have to be extremely thick to not understand it.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 10:37am

CNBC ran it last night. I watched it and it was very good and very informative. I missed the 1st half hour and intend to actually watch the entire documentary again. Not sure that I will get to see the show but if I do, I am glad I saw this. It's worth watching even if you aren't seeing the show. Those recorded conversations between the traders made me want to strangle them. Talk about "American Greed".

They are running it again tonight at 8:00 ET and on April 15th at 8:00 ET.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/35836210/

Updated On: 4/5/10 at 10:37 AM

[wonkit]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 11:00am

I only caught the beginning of the documentary but thought it was very insightful. I followed the ENRON story carefully at the time but had forgotten some of the more intriguing character flaws of the "players," especially Skilling, who was the king of arrogance. Will definitely watch it all the way through tonight (or TiVo).

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 11:11am

I think their documentaries usually run for 2 hours but this one runs for 2 1/2. Well worth the time though.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 11:37am

Saw it on Friday and thought it was very interesting and Uncageg, I wanted to strangle those traders too..will definitely catch what i missed tonight.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 12:07pm

That section where they compared them to the people in that study where people will do things they don't want to when they are told it is ok was interesting. (The electric shock thing)

[coolboi952]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 12:44pm

its also available on Netflix for instant streaming.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 1:27pm

Ahh, I was wondering how old the documentary was. It says on Netflix it was done in 2005. I will watch it tonight. I don't watch movies on my computer. But I am thinking of getting the box to connect my Netflix to my TV for instant viewing. But for people who may want to see it before seeing the show, that's a good option.

[bwaybug85]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 2:10pm

I watched the documentary in prep for the show in London. Loved how they were able to take the major points addressed in the documentary and present them in a fun, entertaining way in the show. But yes as someone else said earlier, you really don't need to know anything about it or business in order to understand it but it is fun to watch for certain things you learned about (ie: the whole a-hole mishap)!

[hotjohn]

Posted: 4/5/10 at 2:41pm

I read the book 'The Smartest Guys In The Room' while lying by the pool on holiday (not your typical vacation reading, granted) to prepare myself for the London production. Not surprisingly, I learnt a lot about the dodgy dealings that are either glossed over or not mentioned in the play so I felt that it increased my enjoyment of the show immensely.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/6/10 at 12:44am

I would suggest seeing it just to be able to connect the dots. I was just thinking that I was glad that I read "Wicked" right before i saw it. Even though you can follow the story, I was glad I read the book first.