As the Redstone Turns

Even though patriarch Sumner is basically a 94-year-old vegetable (I mean that in the nicest possible way), the Redstone family is still causing problems with CBS and Viacom. From this morning's Daily Skimm...

CBS sued its controlling shareholder Shari Redstone for trying to make a merge with Viacom happen. CBS and Viacom used to be one company. Over a decade ago, Redstone's father Sumner - the billionaire media mogul - decided to split them up so Viacom (which runs MTV and Comedy Central) could thrive on its own. But CBS was the one that did well post-breakup. In recent years, the Redstone family has been toying with the idea of CBS and Viacom getting back together. But CBS CEO Leslie Moonves and its board of directors aren't fans of the potential merger. They're going for a "nuclear option" that takes away some of Redstone's voting power and gives it to shareholders. And requesting a temporary restraining order to keep her from making what they think are bad decisions for the company. The Redstones called the lawsuit "outrageous." Expect more drama. A crucial board meeting and a hearing about the restraining order are both happening later this week.