Trade Round-Up: 'Idol' Flap: Real Or Ratings Stunt?
· Is all of this American Idol hubbub news, or just a ratings stunt devised for maximum sweeps impact? We suppose that depends on whether or not anal is involved. [Variety]
· Sure, you heard it here yesterday, but the "facts" are now in: Revolution embarks in a "new direction" without partner Todd Garner, i.e., a direction that includes making somewhat less risibly awful movies. [Variety]
· Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett are in negotiations to star in F. Scott Fitzgerald story adaptation The Curious Case of Benjamin Button for director David Fincher. We can't wait for the carefully-orchestrated release of photos from Pitt and Blanchett's inevitable, sex-soaked African safari shortly before the movie's release. THR]
· Super-publicist Leslee Dart gets three new flacks on board for her "Dart Group" venture. We're assuming that "The Fuck Pat Kingsley Group" was already taken. [Variety]
· Finding that buying the rights to ER from NBC to be needlessly complicated, ABC picks up 13 more episodes of Grey's Anatomy. [THR]
· The Sarah Michelle Gellar space meaningfully signs up for Warner Independent Picture's adaptation of the book A Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing. [THR]