NBC Cold Shoulder for Hot Book [Read: Right of Center Screed Against Hollywood]

NY DAILY NEWS ^ | 2-23-04 | Lloyd Grove

[andrew]

The publicity campaign for "Hollywood, Interrupted" has apparently been interrupted.

Los Angeles writer Mark Ebner - co-author, with Andrew Breitbart, of the down-and-dirty indictment of the scandals and hypocrisies of Tinseltown celebs - told me NBC's "Today" and MSNBC's "Deborah Norville Tonight" canceled scheduled appearances because the book is just too hot.

Ebner said that within hours of the "Today" cancellation, Norville chimed in on a conference call between her producers and a PR type for his publisher, John Wiley & Sons. "I find this book offensive," she allegedly declared.

Ebner said Norville's producers indicated that publicizing "Hollywood, Interrupted" - which is Wiley's lead title this season, with a press run of 100,000 copies - would harm their ability to book Hollywood stars on the show.

But MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines insisted that an appearance by Ebner and Breitbart was only considered, not scheduled, and that Norville didn't take part in the call.

"That's bull!" Ebner retorted.

"Today" spokeswoman Lauren Kapp, meanwhile, confirmed that the authors had been scheduled months ago for next Wednesday's show, timed to the publication date, but noted that such bookings often fall out at the last minute.

"I don't blame them for being upset," Kapp said. "As everyone knows, the bookings are subject to change and they often do, because first and foremost, we're a news broadcast."

Ebner said he's skeptical of the "Today" show's explanation, and I hear that the "Today" folks were expecting a different book, not an ideologically conservative tome that Publishers Weekly panned as "a sour and joyless read."

But Ebner and his co-author saved most of their fire for Norville.

"She has no problem giving a platform to Enron whistleblowers or investigating the excesses of depravity in the lives of everyday Americans," said Breitbart. "But God forbid someone blew the whistle on her bread and butter - the sick Hollywood celebrity class."

Ebner, meanwhile, said: "She's a classic celebrity enabler. That, to me, is offensive."

[sarasota]

I've got a copy on hold at Borders. Now we need to post customer reviews on amazon.com. Let's get behind this book!

[tuesday afternoon]

Good luck bump :)

[techcor]

bump

[TC Rider]

You need to get on Imus.

[Mamzelle]

Good luck bump for you--will you be on Amazon?

Keep fighting.

[dubyagee]

Ebner said Norville's producers indicated that publicizing "Hollywood, Interrupted" - which is Wiley's lead title this season, with a press run of 100,000 copies - would harm their ability to book Hollywood stars on the show.

Glad to know they decide what to promote based on who they might offend.

[Quilla]

Amazon.com sales rank: 21 (in spite of Publishers Weekly's bitter, mean-spirited review).

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0471450510/103-7189548-3833448?v=glance

[Travis McGee]

I heard you on Laura Ingraham today, good work! You didn't sound too tired, you sounded like you were having a lot of fun!

Congrats on your store placement and billboards, was that in your contract?

[Travis McGee]

Let's get some good reviews on Amazon, that's a good place to start.

[justshutupandtakeit]

I saw you on Fox this morning. Sounds like an interesting read. Good luck.

[ATCNavyRetiree]

Go get 'em Andrew!
We will put pressure on Scarborough!

[Quilla]

WOW! Hollywood, Interrupted is now ranked #8 at Amazon.

[Travis McGee]

WOW! But I've never figured out how Amazon figures their ratings;they fluctuate wildly from day to day.

[Glenn]

Heard you on Hannity last night. Good job!

[Fraulein]

Wiley, our publisher, even gave us an awesome billboard on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood: "What This Town Needs is An Intervention!'

LOL! EXCELLENT!

[GOPJ]

Did you know who you were talking to here? It’s cool to know he was one of us...