On Sunday, I was perusing the weekend edition of the LA Times, when I spied a feature criticizing TMZ gossip-mongers for swooping down like vultures on the Michael Jackson tragedy - and patting themselves on the back after-the-fact - for scooping the rest of the ravenous blood-thirsty pack come press deadline.
"Everyone knows we broke the story," Levin boasted in so many words.
Frankly, I was a little surprised by Harvey's curious conduct in this regard.
For starters, in my estimation, it is pretty much a given on the cut-throat landscape of news (and scandal) reporting on the West Coast, that Levin - or one of his eager-beaver cub scouts - will usually nab a breaking-news feature long before the competition has finished scratching around trash bins and dirty laundry for the clues.
Is Levin feeling the heat?
Aw, come on!
Those other newsies are a bunch of jealous cry-babies, anxious to carve up your territory, Harv.
Yup, they're lookin' to knock 'ya off your high horse.
In this shake-down scenario, anyway.
"This is a critical moment for TMZ, " the Times' writers snicker.
Naw, don't think so.
You'd like to bet the farm on it, though, right?
After throwing a little scare into Levin, who was no doubt anxiously perusing the red-hot copy on the sidelines, the troublesome twosome proceeded to sing the TMZ host's praises for a paragraph or two.
"Its reputation for breaking big celebrity news has made TMZ.com an online sensation with an estimated readership of 4.1 million according to Web Measurement Services."
Then, Scott Collins and Meg James go in for the kill.
"But the Jackson drama puts the spotlight on TMZ at a delicate time: its tactics have stoked growing outrage among publicists (hate 'em!) and government officials (they come in handy, on occasion). "
For this reason, the dynamic newsies at the Times, conjectured that advertisers have been hesitant to plunk cash down for print ads at TMZ.com or for lucrative commercial spots on the TV version of the pot-boiler bill-of-fare which broadcasts in tandem with the webbie offering.
Others will come running, so what's the big deal?
In fact, just as I was pondering this, the article zig-zagged off and noted for the record that TMZ officials were pleased with the outcome in recent days.
After all, the Jackson "scoop" took TMZ to a new level of recognition.
And, some touted that outcome as a triumph of the new rich media over the staid old.
Even still, in spite of silly off-point hysterical musings over the issues that missed their mark for the most part - and a lot of positive press for TMZ - the slightly-harried-looking Levin complained that "no one" gave TMZ the credit - for not only getting the story right - but getting it on tap for consumer consumption before the ink at big gun media outlets was even dry.
On the contrary, when I penned and posted my report on Twitter at approximately 3:23 pm on the fateful day in question, I noted that Levin and TMZ.com were abreast of the story as it was unfolding.
Specifically - I gave Levin and his team the nod for getting the word out to fans and the public in general - about Jackson's cardiac arrest, the CPR efforts by a firefighter to revive the ailing Pop Star, and the subsequent whirlwind emergency flight by helicopter to UCLA Medical Center.
Apologies accepted, Sir!
The front-page article went on to probe some of the tactics TMZ has allegedly facilitated in the past to unearth documents and obtain highly-sensitive information with the sinister aim of securing said for "exclusivity" rights.
Hard-core critics like Rob Silverstein - Executive Producer at Access Hollywood - griped that the TMZ staff were not beneath paying for top-secret paperwork and crucial eye-witness testimony.
Along with high-profile rivals, Silverstein contended that Levin and his company have been engaging in unethical journalistic practices which most news-gathering organizations do not allow reporters and editors to entertain from the get-go.
"But, I don't have absolute proof," the annoyed Exec fessed up.
In response, individuals on the other side of the battle lines simply shrugged, and innocently argued that people "just wanted to get their stories out".
Levin, who usually sidesteps the issue, confided to a New York Times reporter (in the wake of the pointed fingers and raging controversy) that the site paid "tip fees" that usually led to stories.
But, spokespeople for TMZ stressed for the record that the mad money laid out for "leads", were not used for "buy outs" or "exclusivity agreements".
The lawyer-Levin - well-versed in the law - is no fool.
The New York Times would probably scrounge about - and ferret out any smoking gun by simply enlisting the sniffing capacities of their own well-placed moles - so the genial gossip maven was smart to "admit" up front.
All of the characters in this tawdry tale sound like scrappers and dirty street-fighters to me.
To add a little color to the mix - and twist the knife in just a tad - the Times' staff writers also took a brief foray into the shadowy realm of TMZ's routine sleaze-ball coverage - sensational peak-a-boo out-takes and scandalous low-brow celebrity teases, for instance - they argued sullied legit attempts by TMZ to gain solid footing in mainstream reporting around the country where ethics in journalism are a prerequisite.
What is the crime committed here?
TMZ led the horses to water, and they slurped it all up, naturally.
Which segues into the next titillating point.
Popularity is up!
"We're very pleased with the ratings," quipped the Senior Vice President of programming for Fox, which airs TMZ on 17 stations around the country.
It is no mystery then as to why Fox intends to broadcast TMZ for at least two more years.
If he isn't already, maybe Levin should start slipping a little something into that designer cup glued in his hand during broadcast - brimming with a mystery elixir 'til now - to help him relax.
Is that the next scandal brewing?
News at 11!
http://www.julianayrs.com
