I get his premise - companies whose stock isn't selling at peak (or nearly so) are underperforming for the shareholders. However, not for more than a few sentences did the show explore what happens when this philosophy is taken to the extreme. This means having to sell assets not contributing to the bottom line, or closing 'underperforming' assets, laying off hundreds, and thousands. This is the legacy of this philosophy. This is why we've got terms such as 'rust-belt', fly-over country, and so on.

This is why so many people are pushing for 'Stakeholder' Capitalism - take into account everyone effected by a job. Doesn't demand 100% efficiency, is more humane and spreads the rewards of a company more evenly.

This showing makes him seem altruistic. It's like praising the 1% for the illnesses effecting our country, instead of recoiling in horror.

Ichan The Restless Billionaire hits pretty close the "the dokumentary sweetspot". The is a certain amount of bias but way less than in similar documentaries. Neither is there much attempt to mystify Ichan's persona or ascribing him any qualities of genius merely based on the wealth acquired. That's good...

Icahn's philosophy is pretty straightforward: Find companies that are under-delivering profits, often due to a high cost structure. Make them profitable and reap the profits that come from increasing the value of the company.

The philanthropic rationale from Cahn's point of view is clear; if you're not profitable you're doomed. By streamlining businesses- jobs are being saved.

Axing the jobs of, overpaid, underperforming, top- and mid management is likely to meet little resistance. Cutting wage checks for workers is a very different matter.

As with many political issues - there are no clear cut answers; is Icahn part of an elite financial posse squeezing the last drop from their work force for huge personal financial gain - or is he a white knight trying to save businesses and jobs before "it's too late". The answer to Icahn is plain to see - the viewers viewpoint is yet to know.

There is a bias towards the "Icahn way" of viewing the world - but there is also a frankness and opening for critical views.

If nothing else - Icahn The Restless Billionaire offers a fair amount of insight into the world of "corporate raiding".

I have heard very kind things said of Mr. Icahn. He employed the now deceased wife of someone I know.

I would have left out the commentary from Mr. Gates. All I could think of were his alleged workplace transgressions while he spoke.

I looked up the ages of Mr. Icahn's children. His current wife said at a birthday dinner their paths had first crossed in 1978. 1978-the year his son was born. It was probably not something the viewer was meant to discern.

That Mr. Icahn had been able to push on with his business and not with the mother of his children fills me with regret for him.