Runaway Bride to Profit - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 06-15-2005, 11:20 AM

RUNAWAY DEAL AT NBC NEWS

DID NBC News pay for an interview with "Runaway Bride" Jennifer Wilbanks in a roundabout way, and has publisher Judith Regan turned into a booker for the Peacock Network?

Regan — who runs ReganBooks, an imprint of HarperCollins, which is owned by News Corp. — is widely credited with brokering the deal Wilbanks made with NBC.

Wilbanks became a huge "get" when she ran away from her fiancé, John Mason, without a word and fled cross-country. She later falsely claimed to police she'd been kidnapped and is repaying her hometown of Gainesville, Ga., $13,000 — the amount the town spent looking for her.

It was speculated the NBC deal would involve a book, a TV movie, a "Dateline" special and a "Today" show appearance.

But word out of Georgia is that Wilbanks has no intention of writing a book about her marital misstep, and instead scored a whopping $500,000 for a mini-movie deal with NBC's entertainment division — with the unwritten agreement that she would appear on "Today" with Katie Couric and do a Couric special on "Dateline," which are both produced by the news division.

Couric's interview with Wilbanks was taped Monday and is set to air next Tuesday and Wednesday. Her "Dateline" show will air Tuesday.

A network spokeswoman said: "NBC News has not, did not and will not enter any deals or put forth any money for an interview — ever. It sounds to me that this is sour grapes from a competitor who's missed out on a huge get."

Wilbanks' friends say: "There is no book." But they hear she will get $500,000 for the rights to her life story."

Another industry source said: "It is well known that NBC likes to keep NBC projects on the NBC lot. If the entertainment side is doing something, it is often promoted on the NBC News programs."

A ReganBooks rep said: "$500,000 for a mini-movie and 'Dateline' is incorrect," and refused to comment on whether or not a book was in the works. An NBC News-er denied Wilbanks got any consideration. "Oh, please. Sean Hannity at Fox News is also interviewing her" — albeit a day after Couric's interview airs.

Pus$y Galore · 06-15-2005, 11:31 AM

Only in America!

Janice · 06-15-2005, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Only in America!

Happens all around the world actually.

Pus$y Galore · 06-15-2005, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Happens all around the world actually.

I know - just using the expression.

Who really cares about this idiot's life? I think from the reactions in the threads even here its pretty obvious we're all tired of hearing about her so who's going to want to spend money on a book about her shoplifting and all. With all the interesting people in the world, I hardly think her story is special.....even for Readers' Digest!

Brian Damage · 06-15-2005, 11:39 AM

This is no big shock to me.

Seinatra · 06-15-2005, 11:40 AM

Well any of you bride to be's looking for a way to fund your honeymoon, keep this option in mind.

Brian Damage · 06-15-2005, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

I know - just using the expression.

Who really cares about this idiot's life? I think from the reactions in the threads even here its pretty obvious we're all tired of hearing about her so who's going to want to spend money on a book about her shoplifting and all. With all the interesting people in the world, I hardly think her story is special.....even for Readers' Digest!

Believe me, there are a ton of morons out there that will pay to read her memoirs.

Pus$y Galore · 06-15-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Believe me, there are a ton of morons out there that will pay to read her memoirs.

Doesn't it just kill you what people will soak up?! Rather read about that than someone who's actually done some good in their lives - crazy!

Ewan's My Man · 06-15-2005, 01:36 PM

That just...ugh...pisses me off...she completely disrupted so many people's lives she pulled all this crap and the American public with all of our "reality shows" are worshipping her.

Bobby F. · 06-15-2005, 02:07 PM

It's just a matter of time before a terrorist gets his own book deal or his own reality show.

MsOrange · 06-15-2005, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seinatra

Well any of you bride to be's looking for a way to fund your honeymoon, keep this option in mind.

ummm.... *checks out some new Running Shoes*

MsOrange · 06-15-2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby F.

It's just a matter of time before a terrorist gets his own book deal or his own reality show.

I can see it now... The Bachelour:Middle Eastern Style!

06-15-2005, 11:20 AM	#1
Janice Administrator Forum Celebrity Stormin' Norman Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 34,461	Runaway Bride to Profit RUNAWAY DEAL AT NBC NEWS DID NBC News pay for an interview with "Runaway Bride" Jennifer Wilbanks in a roundabout way, and has publisher Judith Regan turned into a booker for the Peacock Network? Regan — who runs ReganBooks, an imprint of HarperCollins, which is owned by News Corp. — is widely credited with brokering the deal Wilbanks made with NBC. Wilbanks became a huge "get" when she ran away from her fiancé, John Mason, without a word and fled cross-country. She later falsely claimed to police she'd been kidnapped and is repaying her hometown of Gainesville, Ga., $13,000 — the amount the town spent looking for her. It was speculated the NBC deal would involve a book, a TV movie, a "Dateline" special and a "Today" show appearance. But word out of Georgia is that Wilbanks has no intention of writing a book about her marital misstep, and instead scored a whopping $500,000 for a mini-movie deal with NBC's entertainment division — with the unwritten agreement that she would appear on "Today" with Katie Couric and do a Couric special on "Dateline," which are both produced by the news division. Couric's interview with Wilbanks was taped Monday and is set to air next Tuesday and Wednesday. Her "Dateline" show will air Tuesday. A network spokeswoman said: "NBC News has not, did not and will not enter any deals or put forth any money for an interview — ever. It sounds to me that this is sour grapes from a competitor who's missed out on a huge get." Wilbanks' friends say: "There is no book." But they hear she will get $500,000 for the rights to her life story." Another industry source said: "It is well known that NBC likes to keep NBC projects on the NBC lot. If the entertainment side is doing something, it is often promoted on the NBC News programs." A ReganBooks rep said: "$500,000 for a mini-movie and 'Dateline' is incorrect," and refused to comment on whether or not a book was in the works. An NBC News-er denied Wilbanks got any consideration. "Oh, please. Sean Hannity at Fox News is also interviewing her" — albeit a day after Couric's interview airs. __________________ God Bless Our Troops

06-15-2005, 11:31 AM	#2
Pus$y Galore Forum Veteran In God's Arms Now Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 11,990	Only in America! __________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

06-15-2005, 01:36 PM	#9
Ewan's My Man Senior Member I'll Cover You Join Date: Sep 29, 2001 Location: Beneath the opera house... Posts: 5,674	That just...ugh...pisses me off...she completely disrupted so many people's lives she pulled all this crap and the American public with all of our "reality shows" are worshipping her. __________________ Don't you ever wanna be somebody to envy Don't you wanna be footloose and free? Well, you could be the life of the party If you were more- Like me! All you have to do is jump over the moon Moo with me!

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06-15-2005, 11:39 AM	#5
Brian Damage Moderator Forum Legend I'm Rich Bitch Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 62,155	This is no big shock to me.

06-15-2005, 11:40 AM	#6
Seinatra Senior Member Member Join Date: Aug 29, 2004 Location: Gran Chaco Posts: 1,830	Well any of you bride to be's looking for a way to fund your honeymoon, keep this option in mind.

06-15-2005, 02:07 PM	#10
Bobby F. Banned!! "Bob hates you." Join Date: Nov 30, 2004 Posts: 3,803	It's just a matter of time before a terrorist gets his own book deal or his own reality show.