TMZ has learned the "Today" show has pulled the plug on the Rita Cosby interview about her book in which she claims Howard K. Stern and Larry Birkhead had a "relationship."
The cancellation comes after "Today" received a bristling, threatening letter from attorney Lin Wood, Howard's lawyer. Wood, who represented John and Patsy Ramsey, made it clear he would sue the "Today" show for any falsehoods that spewed out of Rita's mouth. Birkhead has also vowed to sue Cosby and others who he claims are in on a plot to "smear" him.
As far as we know, Cosby's assertion of a relationship is rooted in the testimony of Jackie Hatten, a known wacko whose brother served prison time for stalking Anna Nicole.
Make no mistake about it -- this cancellation is a big, frickin' deal.
46. I have to laugh at the posters who want so badly to be right about Larry & Howard they do not see logic and reason.
They jump on any small tid bit someone throws out like a crumb hoping this will vindicate them from their lonely paranoid perch.
It's tiring reading the same words over again each time this subject comes up. " One day the truth will come out! " " You will rue the day! " " Larry & Howard your day will come! "
lmao it's all a bit psychotic. Kinda like a drug addicts life.
49. 43. Watch the numbers on the poll. The same losers that post about Larry and Howard all day everyday are just sitting there voting for Rita. Less then 5 minutes ago it was Larry 67% now it is at 63% It takes 1000 votes to change it by 1%
posted at 1:43am on Sep 4th 2007 by Stern haters are losers
Stern lovers are whiners and complainers. Funny you're not questioning how it could have been pro Larry because someone kept voting for him over and over! hmmm...
Posted at 1:57AM on Sep 4th 2007 by Things that make u go hmmm...
50. I'm shocked that any news agency would let a Bully like Lin Wood burn thier constitutional right to free speech. Where was Lin Wood when Bush was lieing to the whole country? Not enough money coming from sueing a bunch of lieing politicians but he can work on a Holiday to keep something like a book review from happening? I think they do protest too much. This move is only going to increase the sales of the book. They can't keep it quiet forever. If it hits the best seller list someone with some balls is gonna have to talk about it on national tv. What could they possibly be trying to keep under cover ?
Posted at 2:02AM on Sep 4th 2007 by The Constitution
51. 40. TMZ needs to fix the poll so you can only vote once. The Stern haters are voting over and over so it looks like people believe Rita over Larry.
I LOVE how TMZ described Hatten as the wacko! LOL sooo true!
Posted at 1:38AM on Sep 4th 2007 by me
No kidding..But you know they are being paid by Harvey and Howie camp now so for every click they get a dollar. So they are clicking away tonight. I would cut my fee in half if I could get in on the pay to..Harvey only 50cents a click for me..But Harvey have to agree with the Hatten the Whacko...
Posted at 2:05AM on Sep 4th 2007 by Dr. Perper's Ex Girlfriend
52. COVER UP!!! NBC should be ashamed for buckling under pressure. Makes you wonder who else these news stations have gagged.
Posted at 2:10AM on Sep 4th 2007 by Things that make u go hmmm...
53. 47. I have to laugh at the posters who want so badly to be right about Larry & Howard they do not see logic and reason.
They jump on any small tid bit someone throws out like a crumb hoping this will vindicate them from their lonely paranoid perch.
It's tiring reading the same words over again each time this subject comes up. " One day the truth will come out! " " You will rue the day! " " Larry & Howard your day will come! "
lmao it's all a bit psychotic. Kinda like a drug addicts life.
Posted at 1:53AM on Sep 4th 2007 by = Karla ***** Good points! Yes, we see a lot of 'Howard Derangement Syndrome' people when yet another story is strongly positive for HKS & LB.
Posted at 2:12AM on Sep 4th 2007 by Only swim in the Ocean
54. Problem is…believe the accusations, as lets fact it that trio obviously was wild and crazy, look at the gay pride parade and party videos…hmmm hmmm hmmm. Guessing there were no rules for that group. But, infortunately, Rita's credibility is less than sterling and if the only person she has to corroborate the accusation is that "friend" that lends more questioning of it. However, if there is a film, that would really help Rita and pretty much just prove there were no holds barred with that group. I always questioned the "friendship" between Larry and Howard and did not believe the whole reason was Virgie. That there was more to that sudden friendship. And, quite frankly, I for one, do not think Larry is totally that sweet, wholesome? image being portrayed for all of us out there. Not that no one loves Danielynn, but think everyone is more concerned about the Money, not the child. Larry has just been restraining himself for pubic opinion I think. Time will show more, unfortunately. That’s my take which is worth zero :)
55. #51 - The constitution No where does it say that : Freedom of Speech - Will hold you unaccountable from Liability. That Liability / Responsibility lies with the speaker and that they will speak the truth. If you speak lies / untruths / or half truths you can be held accountable. If the today show felt the information was complete fact, you can bet they would air the segment. There legal team is vastly stronger than Stern, And they have vastly larger resources to continue the legal action.
This entire situation does not bode well for Rita C.
Unfortuanatly so many of us want to know the facts, that we will jump on any information that is thrown out. (At least its something) now we know we have to question her facts and integrity closer before rising to the bait.
Using a clearly emotionally troubled woman whose brother is in prison still for stalking ANS is lower then low. I await explanation from Rita Cosby as to why she jumped on this dead train wreck to make money in the first place by writing a book. I found no Interview or association with ANS before she died. Best guess is that Opri is in this somewhere.
No one is incapable of making a mistake. Why would Today back out on a guest who would bring high ratings if they weren't worried about her being wrong? They have an entire legal department advising them. If their legal department decided it was a bad idea to take on the little guys, they must be worried about Cosby's ability to back up her opinions.
Also, whether her relations with Opri are about getting back at Birkhead or not, she should know, with her years of experience, to stay away from a person who could cause people to question her morals.
And if she's not in it for the money, why not turn over the information to the courts without selling it for money first? That makes her no better than any of you are claiming Birkhead and Stern to be. If you think they are just in it for the money, you have to open your eyes and see that Cosby is in the same ship.
About the voting thing, I didn't think people had enough time to sit and vote repeatedly, so I looked when I started this post and it was at just over 5,000 votes with 54% for Larry. Now, about 3 minutes later, it's over 6,000 with 51% for Larry. I highly doubt over 1000 people are on here right now and felt compelled to vote. Really? That's the best you can do with your time?
58. Yeah well , maybe it's too RAW for the TODAY show , but have no fear this story has
legs longer than Anna Nicoles', and it'll be on everything else; (nancy , greta, you know)
i don't think FOX News will be cowed by linn wood ..
go vergie !
b
Posted at 2:21AM on Sep 4th 2007 by Brenda Bouquet
59. If I were faced with having my reputation threatened by allegations in a sensationalist "tell-all" book -- especially if custody of my baby was being challenged by the child's grandmother and not yet assured in a court of law -- I, too, would use every legal aid at my disposal to prevent the dissemination of these inflammatory accusations. If Larry Birkhead wasn't going full throttle in blocking the spread of the libelous contents of Rita Cosby's book, I'd question his commitment to retaining custody of his daughter. Additionally, as single parent to a very young child, Mr. Birkhead has to do everything he can to ensure his ability to earn a good living in the future, so as to be able to provide well for his daughter. If he were to allow Ms Cosby's accusations to be publicized without protest and if his legal efforts to prevent the reporter from slandering him were not effective enough to slow down the wildfire spread of these accusations -- as, apparently, they have been in convincing the "Today" show to cancel Ms Crosby's interview -- Mr. Birkhead would surely face a reduced ability to adequately care for his daughter and keep her living in the home of her late mother. I understand Mr. Birkhead's actions and would do the same, if I could, if my reputation were under similar assault. I suspect many of his detractors would also vigourously protect themselves if their lives were being scrutinized and criticized by a reporter known to have ties to a lawyer they were fighting in court and to the mother-in-law (so to speak) who was fighting to win custody of their beloved child.
60. As fas as we know Cosby's assertion of a relationship is rooted in the testimony of Jackie Hatten, a known wacko whose brother served prison time for stalking Anna Nicole. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thats alone speaks volumes. her source is the sister of a WACKO whose was STALKING Anna Nicole. ..Sure I'm belive her. UMMM can we say Idiot.!!!!!!!!!! It's no wonder The todays show pullout. I wouldnt believe a damn thing that book says. Today Show must of Lawyer agreed this wasnt to good of an idea. YOU NEED PROOF. talk is cheap. Not only that Rita Crosby is best friends with OPRI. smells like a rat to me
TMZ has learned the "Today" show has pulled the plug on the Rita Cosby interview about her book in which she claims Howard K. Stern and Larry Birkhead had a "relationship."
