Earlier today, I got an urgent e-mail blast from The Wrap about Michael Douglas contracting throat cancer from cunnilingus. It was presented with the same traffic-pandering, classless urgency as similar blasts I’ve gotten from the same publication on health issues faced bravely by Angelina Jolie, again presented in an utterly sensationalized classless manner, and all based on the reporting of others. So to me, that’s The Wrap. Now, The Wrap is writing that Nikki Finke has been fired, and I don’t believe it for a moment. Nobody fires Nikki Finke. I was copied on this email that Jay Penske wrote to Wrap editrix Sharon Waxman: “Sharon, your story isn’t true and all of the ‘facts’ that you mention are completely erroneous.” As for me, I can only say this: Nikki convinced me to leave Daily Variety after 20 years, and it was the right move and I have never enjoyed collaborating with a journalist more than I have with her. I love what the reporters and editors here have built here with her guidance, it feels memorable and important, and I think we have a lot more to say and do together. Internal stuff happens from time to time and it gets worked out, despite the sensationalized reporting that amounts to wishful thinking on the part of The Wrap, which couldn’t carry Deadline’s jockstrap.
Here is an official response just sent internally:
Dear PMC Team,
As you may be aware, Sharon Waxman at TheWrap has just published a libelous, false, and defamatory story on her blog, in which she claims amongst other things that PMC has fired Nikki Finke from Deadline.
This is a complete fabrication, with not an ounce of truth to it. Just to be clear, Nikki Finke has a multi-year contract with the Company, and it is the Company’s absolute intention to continue its obligations under the agreement.
It is sad when a rival business feels the need to fabricate stories to create traffic and notoriety. Due to the defamatory and disparaging nature of some of the completely innaccurate statements made by Waxman, PMC has turned this matter over to our attorneys. Contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Lauren Gullion
Head of Communications–PMC
No offense but that letter leaves out the key issue here. Will Nikki be writing anymore here, or, will she be on “gardening leave” while the time runs out on her contract? The text above just says she wasn’t fired, which can often be a mere technicality when someone is pushed out of a position in other ways.
Toldja!!
Beyond her weekly box office posts, I don’t see as many of Nikki’s impassioned write-ups as I used to. Anyone out there remember her juicy attacks on Ben Silverman, Jeff Zucker, and other bigwigs? Even when you think she’s going too far, it can be a lot more entertaining than most movies. I haven’t seen those kinds of posts in a while. I always figured it meant she was devoting more time to the behind-the-scenes work to expand Deadline since Penske took over. The addition of Fleming, Andreeva, etc. has been fantastic, but sometimes I miss seeing more of Nikki’s unhinged take on this industry.
Don’t forget when she “Live-Snark’s” an Awards Show.
I would miss Nikki terribly…here’s the only place we get an honest POV! We can’t let her “garden”…tell her you love her and she’s too young, vibrant, with so much to say…she can’t roll over!
absolutely agree with you!! Wait and see, in a couple of months, Nikki will say she’s off to get rest or that she’s taking up a more behind-the-scenes role. Until her contract is up, which is next year.
Non denial denial.
WHY didn’t Nikki write a response?
Why would Sharon risk a big lawsuit for libel? Is she that jealous?
I love Nikki and she founded Deadline so I hope she sticks with it but if Penske really wants to fire her he can do that he bought this site.
The Wrap is like some sort of copy machine. Ewwww.
I love Nikki and i think she is the best part of the internets. She’s funny, honest and smart. She has great taste and I love reading her Oscar updates.
Thank G-d she’s not leaving and I look forward to many more years of reading her site.
They’d better not fire her, if they do most readers will leave the ship with her. All she has to do is set up another website (I guess with her connections it shouldn’t be an issue) and kick Deadline’s ass!
Nikki Finke doesn’t need Deadline but Deadline sure needs Nikki!
Nikki,
Honestly, this must get a little annoying after awhile.
However, on the other hand, as The Wrap seems to be suffering from a massive and ongoing, inferiority complex hanks to your skills, at the end of day their utter lameness does takes a comedic turn.
(walks away giggling.)
So is everything business as usual?
No offense Deadline, but she wouldn’t be missed that much if she was actually canned. She’s not bigger than this blog. Nobody is.
I wouldn’t be shocked if her “multi-year contract” wasn’t renewed when it comes up.
Please don’t sue me.
without Nikki, deadline would be ‘variety’ or ‘hollywood reporter’ – another boring, toothless copy machine for press releases trying to hawk handbags. yawn. without Nikki, the traffic to this site will slow to a crawl. no-one else comes close to having the balls she has when it comes to nailing the truth (though she sometimes displays bias). Mike is showing small signs of improvement, i have to say.
Wow this is getting out of hand and funnier.
Holy shit. There is not enough popcorn in the world for what Nikki’s response to this will be.
Mrowr! Ffffft!
The story certainly perked up everyone’s ears. I state on that site’s blog in the comments area about if Deadline is an entity without Nikki?
The whole staff of writers are great. But Nikki is Nikki and is Deadline IMO.
Glad she is staying put..
Let the snark continue
thank the movie gods i enjoy nikki glad she is not fired
oh thank goodness. Hollywood needs someone as prickly as Nikke. And Nikke, lighten up, retract fangs, we see this incident for the desperate effort it is. Sad and pathetic.
has Nikki maybe to a walk and PMC has threatened to sue for breach.
see…”Internal stuff happens from time to time and it gets worked out” and “Company’s absolute intention to continue its obligations under the agreement”
“You can’t fire Nikki…it would be like trying to fire the President.”
“If history has taught us anything, it’s that you can fire anyone…Rocco?”
“Difficult…not impossible.”
“Good.”
“It’s a Sicilian message. It means Nikki Finke sleeps with the fishes.”
Well, I think I may speak for many in wishing to hear from Ms.Finke herself about this . Obviously there’s more to this than meets the eye, or the print or the blog. Somehow this embroglio goes to credibility issues about this outlet, so in all bests interests I think it would be great for everybly to speak clearly about this and shed light into these issues, if, as suggested, it is all a fabrication it is disgusting and certainly paints an extrñemely unflattering portrait of The. Wrap, but if things go deeper than that and there are grey areas I believe it would be good for DH’s future to clear this up. Thanks,
No reason to refute the story… No one reads that site. I would have never known about their story had you not just told me. Rise above and don’t take the bait.
Nikki is Deadline, Deadline is Nikki.
Nikki is the best. I hope this isn’t true. The site will fall apart. She’s the reason people read Deadline.
“Not that Hollywood isn’t full of self important assholes who deserve to be torn a new one, but it’d be better if the tearing wasn’t done by one, also.”
Go get ’em, Mike!
So she’s not fired, but won’t be contributing anymore?
There are many ways to sideline someone without officially firing them. As long as collects her compensation due, Penske can pretty much do what he wants.
Nothing says it’s the truth like a good old fashioned Hollywood denial letter.
Take over the LA Times Entertainment Section Nikki.
Honestly, what an incredible idea. Why should they hire someone that millions of readers would care about when they can continue to focus on niche high art topics that the remaining few readers care about? On second thought their advertisers (Penile Implants, hearing aids, Medical studies, Life alert)
probably would be upset if they no longer delivered the valuable 85-105 year old Westside reader.
I’ll wait until Nikki comes out with a statement. Until then, Mike, your statement simply doesn’t cut it as it’s neither definitive nor even reads like someone who knows what’s going on. Granted, Sharon Waxman is a vile envious no-talent bitch who I could picture dancing wildly on Nikki’s grave but her article sounds very believable while yours here sounds too much like I have when I’m trying to ignore the flashing red lights and making excuses for the latest con artist fucking me over. Love Nikki but it’s true that with her health issues her attitude and talent have been watered down with you other writers.
Seems apparent that the story can be easily put to bed with a post authored by Nikki Finke. What we have are (a) a post by Mike Fleming in which he says how much he has loved working with Nikki;and (2) a PR Rep’s email to staff not saying that Finke will continue writing, but only that Penske intends “to continue its obligations under the agreement,” which is hardly committal on Finke’s role on the blog in the future.
TEAM NIKKI….I just had to go there!