NBC programming chief Ben Silverman, known for making a killing by selling projects to competing networks and, um, his love for The Party, hit up the Los Angeles Lakers game last night — and managed to spoil things.

Not for the Lakers (they beat the Denver Nuggets 122-107), but for seatmates Garry Shandling and Sony Pictures Television president Steve Mosko. We hear a preppy-dressed Silverman sat next to these two near the courtside seats and spent a good portion of the game running Mosko's ear off. "Mosko just listened, nodded, smiled a bit, while Silverman went on and on and on," says a witness. "It was one of those conversations you can tell by observing for a few minutes, one person is waaaay too into it and trying to get so many points across, while the other is just patiently listening and waiting for the air to run out."

When Ben finally left to grab a drink, Mosko turned to Shandling, who "hilariously rolled his eyes at the whole thing, and they sat back down for the start of the 2nd half." Silverman eventually returned, seven minutes into the half. Hey, the bathroom line can be long!