Publisher behind O.J. Simpson book fired

Associated Press ^ | December 15, 2006 | Hillel Italie

[Zakeet]

NEW YORK - O.J. Simpson's would-be publisher, Judith Regan, was fired Friday, her sensational, scandalous tenure at Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. ending with the tersest of announcements.

"Judith Regan's employment with HarperCollins has been terminated effective immediately," HarperCollins CEO Jane Friedman said in a statement. "The REGAN publishing program and staff will continue as part of the HarperCollins General Books Group."

Friedman offered no reason for the announcement, but it comes less than a month after Murdoch's cancellation of Simpson's hypothetical murder confession, "If I Did It," a planned book and Fox television interview that was greeted with instant and near-universal disgust when announced.

HarperCollins did not immediately return phone and e-mail messages seeking additional comment. Messages left with Regan's publicist, Suzanne Wickham, and her lawyer, Bert Fields, were not immediately returned.

[REPANDPROUDOFIT]

"Profiteering whore"

why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel about her...

Lol! I just picked up this thread, read your post and assumed "profiteering whore" was referring to OJ.

[Vision]

Brevity is the soul of wit.

[chiefqc]

Or if she runs as a dumb-o-crat she will be elected and then appointed by plastic face to some important position in the goverment.

[Shugee]

I think this project was despicable and at the very least lacking insight into public opinion. However, if you wanted publicity at any cost, you would get it with any project involving OJ. I can't believe that Rupert Murdoch didn't OK this deal and that Judith Regan did this without his go-ahead. As in politics, if the backlash gets too hot, someone has to be fired to appease the public. Judith Regan handled this poorly, citing her own unresolved issues as her motivation, and this cost her but it did take the heat off Murdoch. However, the publicity was enormous and got Regan in the headlines. She'll land a high profile job out of this as the media culture loves those who rise out of disgraced situations. I'm suspicious that this whole fiasco was planned and the reaction anticipated by Murdoch and company. The need to be noticed is fierce.

[Rightfootforward]

"Lol! I just picked up this thread, read your post and assumed "profiteering whore" was referring to OJ."

Talk about a photo finish. That's a tough match to call. After no consideration whatsoever I'd have to say they're both 'profiteering whore(s).' Only difference being that one of them should be on death row or long gone.

[Rightfootforward]

"Brevity is the soul of wit."

Tis, it tis. Intelligence, too.

[Vision]

Only in a shallow elitist fantasy that some live in.

[Rightfootforward]

"Only in a shallow elitist fantasy that some live in."

Aw geez. So much for the compliment I attempted to extend to you.

[Billthedrill]

...fry his sorry ass and strip his flesh to make jerky for those of us who like to devour the enemy...

I'm sure you meant that in the nicest possible way... ;-)

Thing is, in a project like this the author is offered an advance against future sales for walking-around money while the thing is hammered onto the page. Should the project be canceled the author is not obligated to return that money (usually, and depending on how the contract is written). In that case the publisher eats the loss.

OJ got a $3.5 million advance that he says is already spent. SOURCE I'm not saying that did it, but I'm thinking if it were my $3.5 mil I'd be for firing somebody too.

[Vision]

It's my loss.

[lndrvr1972]

Good, there is no reason for him to make any money off of a crime he committed. He is such a scum bag he will burn in hell for what he did.

[beyond the sea]

Having dealt with publishing and Hollywood, I can't say that about everyone."

Having dealt with publishing and Hollywood, I can't say that about anyone.

[beyond the sea]

He might want to take at what has become of FNC lately as well.

Amen