Here's how I start my piece in today's -- Monday, December 22nd, 2008 -- Los Angeles Times:

Fifteen years ago, I had a stupid idea.

I was the co-executive producer on TV's long-running comedy "Cheers." NBC, the network on which "Cheers" appeared, was faltering: Ratings were sliding, money was tight, management was nervous and the then-king of late-night television, Johnny Carson, legendary host of the "Tonight Show," was retiring, and no one knew how his replacement, Jay Leno, would do. 

The rest is here....