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.
61. When considering their position, I'm sure the massive organization behind 'Today' knew that there is 'de facto defamation'. Some claims, written or spoken about people, are on their face, shocking to the sensibilities of the Court, whether true or not.
Even with the alleged video playing in the background, there would be no excusing anyone saying publicly that the action on the tape lead to a murder and fraud conspiracy.
The media was burned, on separate occasions, by Opri, O'Q and Hatten before; imagine deliberately allowing someone who wrote a book synthesizing all three's illegitimate positions into one, to appear on TV.
Posted at 2:25AM on Sep 4th 2007 by Only swim in the Ocean
63. Next they will be burning books and we won't be able to express our opinions on anything. When this happens we will be able to point to TMZ, Lin Wood and now MSNBC as the "Big Brother" who insidiously took our constituational rights away in order to line thier pockets with money.
I'll be boycotting MSNBC and every other network who allows that little hitler to dictate thier programming.
Posted at 2:34AM on Sep 4th 2007 by Ashamed of NBC
64. #52 Dottie I totally agree with your post including the part about the Cosby/Opri connection with exception of this one sentence
"I don't for one minute think Howard is innocent of Daniel and ANS's deaths."
I respectfully disagree with that only. I do not feel he is guilty of anything more then dependency and enabling as many partners of drug addicts become. I also know I am alone in believing Howard used drugs also, just to a smaller degree as he was responsible for keeping them afloat, in time he would have been as bad as her though. It escalates as Anna's addictions did. He has to live with it all every day. I think that is enough punishment for the enabling he did.
66. Guest_95 : swim in the ocean AND butterfly have verified on here that the Sterm Camp, Art Harris and, even more likely, Mark Steines have all known of this relationship for a very long time. Made fools of the American public who supported pathetic Birkhead who bought his child! Good Luck, Larry Birkhead, as nobody will ever buy into your acting, again!
67. # 67 - by Ashamed of NBC What does any of this have to do with expressing your opinion? Your confusing two issues because you want something out of this you cant have! You do have a right to express your opnion but if it included's slander about someone expect to be sued! what does any of this have to do wth TMZ? i find your thoughts disjointed. No rights have been violated by NBC/TMZ! calm down.
68. No big deal. You accept it and move on. There are plenty of other tv, shows, magazines, newpapers, etc that will report this story. I respect Rita Cosby. She is a strong woman, and I believe she will get the story out. I do not really watch the Today Show. I have not watch it since Walters left. I believe the more controversy and publicity made about this book will only make it more popular. IMO
70. Guest_95 : Matt Lauer can avoid having Rita Cosby on, however it will not diminish the truth from being revealed from this point forward no matter how many threats are made by the attorneys for these people. There is a greater power than the egos of Howard K. Stern and Larry Birkhead and things will be made right in this or another lifetime!
This is a person that was on mr. controversy. A person who is very educated and has a peace that very few people of us have on this earth. It is the truth and now we can stop fighting between ourselves.
Posted at 2:56AM on Sep 4th 2007 by lets don't fight between us
71. Re: "I wonder if Lauer is LB and HKS buddy! Three some aww how sick!
Posted at 2:48AM on Sep 4th 2007 by bro"
Sick in what way? Sick because you disapprove of homosexuality? Please clarify your disgust.
72. Hi, Howiedu’n? Does anyone remember when I commented some of you might need to call 911 after the Autopsy report? Does ya have speed dial? How ya dung’n?
73. An appearance on 'Today' is seen live by millions of young professionals, before work, and stay at home moms and retirees. Politicians for instance 'kill' to be seen by that demographic.
Any big news from 'Today' interviews is excerpted and courtesy provided to every TV station on earth. Exponentially, many tens of millions of people will see it later the same day.
A Book could become a run away Best Seller if featured just once on the program. A good performance on 'Today' would also lead to featured interviews on many Network and Cable programs that are seen on NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo, etc.
It's good to see a major Network say no to yet another sleaze merchant trying to profit from the ANS tragedy. Only HKS (ANS's Executor) and LB (Baby Daddy) should earn money since it goes to protect and secure ANS's sole heir, DL.
Posted at 3:02AM on Sep 4th 2007 by Only swim in the Ocean
74. Re: "This is a person that was on mr. controversy. A person who is very educated and has a peace that very few people of us have on this earth. It is the truth and now we can stop fighting between ourselves.
Posted at 2:56AM on Sep 4th 2007 by lets don't fight between us"
You sound like a gentle soul who is distressed by the controversy over Ms Crosby's book. Please be kind to yourself and find other places to spend your time, rather than exposing yourself to the inevitable arguing that will continue for some time to come.
By the way, the comments you copied and pasted from the Mr. Controversy site are the opinion of an anonymous person. His/her views are no more "true" than mine, yours or a single person posting on this site. None of us is going to agree with everyone else on the truth or inaccuracy of the accusations in that book.
75. Guest_95 : swim in the ocean AND butterfly have verified on here that the Sterm Camp, Art Harris and, even more likely, Mark Steines have all known of this relationship for a very long time. Made fools of the American public who supported pathetic Birkhead who bought his child! Good Luck, Larry Birkhead, as nobody will ever buy into your acting, again!
This is another blog and only swim in the ocean and butterfly said this on Mr. Controversy
Posted at 3:08AM on Sep 4th 2007 by lets don\\\'t fight between us
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."
