LETTERMAN BLACKMAILER WAS JUST A WIMP

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THE WEB GOSSIP
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The guy or girl that writes this column is a very big industry insider who wishes to remain anonymous, but wants to write about all the headlines happening in Hollywood and the Music Industry.
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Roger Ebert

VARIETY TAKES A DIRECT HIT --- On Monday, Daily Variety’s chief film critic Todd McCarthy and chief theater critic David Rooney were cut loose. Also gone is film critic Derek Elley as well as several graphic people. A good review from the terrific writer McCarthy was always the start of a promising film campaign. He had the intelligence as well as writing chops to really speak to a film’s strengths … and, weaknesses. His review of “The Dark Knight,” is a perfect example. His review of that movie really set all guns firing. “It’s sad,” McCarthy said. “It’s the end of something. You can say it’s the end, or you can say it’s the end of the way it’s always been done.” Reaction from the film community was one of shock and dismay. “Variety fires Todd McCarthy and I cancel my subscription. He was my reason to read the paper. RIP, schmucks,” said film critic Roger Ebert. McCarthy was the longest-tenured writer at Variety, second only to columnist Army Archerd, who died last year. To me, it’s just another nail in the coffin of this business. The model is changing … to what I don't know, but it will be dramatically difficult and different.

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David Letterman

HALDERMAN HOSED --- What an idiot this guy Joe Halderman is. He'll never work in show business again. This is the fellow who tried to extort 2 million from David Letterman for the host’s so-called backstage politics. His lawyer Gerry Shargel talked tough and said he couldn't wait to get Letterman in court and grill him, but ultimately settled on a six month jail term, community service, and an agreement that HE COULD NOT PROFIT from this experience for his client. I think the question is: How did Halderman ever work in TV in the first place? For all the tough talk, Halderman crawled like a whimpering baby. What an idiot!

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David Chase


CHASE RULES ... AGAIN ---Two years after that terrific finale for the HBO show “The Sopranos,” creator David Chase has confirmed his return to film with a project from his own script that entails a music-driven coming-of-age epic for Paramount about a group of guys who form a rock band in the 1960s. The reaction to this has been for the most part positive; but, several people has said it’ll be his own interpretation of the illuminating book on ‘70s icon Tommy James “Me, the Mob and Music: One Helluva Ride With Tommy James and The Shondells. Others have commented that Tom Hanks has already done this tale with his wonderful “That Thing You Do.” Chase is a music fanatic … meticulously choosing all the music for his hit HBO show … so, there’s no doubt this will be a winner. Right before embarking on this Chase will write, produce and direct episodes of A Ribbon of Dreams, the HBO mini-series about the formative days of Hollywood.

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Andy Richter

RICHTER REBOUNDS – Conan’s go-to-guy Andy Richter was guest-host on yesterday’s “Regis and Kelly,” and it was actually his first viewing since the NBC/Conan/Leno debacle. He said some interesting things: “He did still harbor a lot of resentment against NBC and Jay”; that he was amazingly still under contract to NBC; and, he really couldn't say anything about a much-rumored live-club-tour with him and Conan. He also made a point that’s been somewhat overlooked in the media of “not only did most of the staff and crew re-locate to L. A., but more importantly they moved away from their contacts, so when the bloodbath occurred, they didn't even have their same network of contacts to reach out to.” Good point. Sure, the above the line talent had a great payday and payout, but many of the below-the-line talent obviously didn't. In these recession-times, that’s a major, major problem. If you’re a producer on the East Coast and you need someone … who’s now on the West Coast, it’d be a lot more expensive to get them. Still a black eye for NBC … and, big-jaw Jay Leno. Sad indeed.

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Farrah Fawcett

FORGOTTEN OSCARS --- The Oscar-delegation says that the only reason both Farrah Fawcett and Bea Arthur were left out of Sunday’s In memorial tribute … was time. Does that reek a bit or is it just me? I mean, Farrah made 10 movies, was a member of the Academy, and Arthur, just became an international star because of her hit series “The Golden Girls.” Sad, right? Ryan O’Neal is drafting an official reaction, along with daughter Tatum to the Academy. I don't know what they expect to win, other than a windfall of ink. A sad, sad situation that has overshadowed what was not a bad show at all. See, that’s why it's called Hollyweird.

Photos By: Sara De Boer/Walter McBride/Retna