It seems a little bit unfair doesn’t it? Nikki Finke, the feared, off-her-rocker shrew and “toldja!”-obsessed reporter at Hollywood Deadline is purportedly already stinking rich thanks to the deal she made with Mail.com when they acquired her site for some questionably high numbers (rumors ranged up to the $40 million dollar mark).
And according to an article at THR, she stands to become that much more wealthy thanks to her feared, litigation-happy reputation (when you got deep pockets that’s all that matters).
Finke, a total shut-in, and an acidic, backbiting personality with the maturity seemingly of a teenage harridan (she’s in her 50s) is such a fascinating and vile character that Bill Condon pitched an HBO show called “Tilda” which the cable network immediately greenlit earlier this year sensing all kinds of comedic and dramatic situations (Diane Keaton will star; the character however will have to leave her house once and a while to make for engaging TV).
However, even when the show was originally announced it was a not-so-thinly-veiled description of Finke’s actual life (hmm, a feared, sociopathic, shut-in movie blogger – who could that be? Though fellow medusa Sharon Waxman is probably rolled in there a little bit too).
Many assumed she’d likely sue and it appears she’s already made some tentative overtures, as HBO look like they’re going to strike a deal with her (which sounds like a pre-emptive strike on their part). Apparently the deal is not 100% complete, but they’re basically negotiating an arrangement with her so she’ll “bless” the show (read: will not sue their pants off). While she’s absolutely ripe for skewering, might means right in the end and she’ll probably allow HBO to characterize her in any way, for a price. Sigh…
Finke’s a good reporter with excellent sources, and she’s a champion of great causes and or sticking it to those that deserve it. We just wish she didn’t read like an angst-ridden adolescent all the time.