Changing of the guard: Burke toasted, Zucker roasted

Comcast's (Nasdaq: CMCSA) assumed merger with NBC Universal is changing the entertainment power broker landscape. Comcast COO Steve Burke, the man who has been running the whole merger thing, "shot to the top" of the list when Forbes media maven Lacey Rose compiled her list of "Names You Need to Know in 2011."

"He's months away from redefining what can--or can't--be done when you marry the pipes of the country's largest cable system with the offerings of a content giant behind shows like 30 Rock, The Biggest Loser and The Real Housewives franchise," she wrote. "Who he'll task to help carry out his vision remains a favorite parlor game among Hollywood insiders."

One person not invited to the party is lame duck NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker, who was roasted by colleagues, employees and former employees at the Center for Communications annual luncheon.

"I haven't felt so much love since I sat down with Steve Burke a few weeks ago," Zucker said, referring, of course, to the day he was fired.

For more:
- see this story
- and this story

Related articles:
Zucker: Cable networks are NBC's 'backbone'
Comcast, looking to tap into online viewership, says COO Burke will lead NBCU after merger
Comcast, GE agree to deal - finally - for NBC Universal