The network bidding war over key interviews in the Casey Anthony case has gone into the stratosphere ... because TMZ has learned a syndicated talk show was laughed at with a bid of $250,000 for Casey's PARENTS!!!
The bidding has gone crazy ... we're hearing the bidding for a Casey interview was over $1.5 million.
Now ABC News has just released a statement, saying it will no longer pay for photos and video in exchange for interviews.
The announcement comes days after TMZ published a story ... that Casey's lawyer, Jose Baez, was holed up in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City, taking bids from NBC, ABC and CBS. As we reported, Baez was in the Hotel bar Thursday night, discussing strategy with famed lawyer Mark Geragos.
Our sources say all three networks were offering the same deal -- they would pay a fortune to license photos and video from Casey. Short story -- it's a dishonest way of saying they don't pay for interviews.
We're told NBC -- which paid for Baez' hotel room -- was leading the pack in the Casey bidding war, even though the Network denied it was offering any money for an interview -- which is technically correct.
In its statement, ABC says, "We can book just about anyone based on the strength of our journalism."
Sure they can.
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Jose Baez -- Casey Anthony's lawyer -- is holed up at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City, holding court with all of the major networks -- to determine who will score the first interview with Casey -- and big bucks are involved.
Sources tell TMZ ... NBC, ABC and CBS are all competing for the first interview. Sources connected with the negotiations tell TMZ there is a "big price tag" for the interview. We're told the networks -- which say they don't pay for interviews -- are offering to license photos and other material and pay big bucks ... that's S.O.P. in the network game.
We're told NBC looks like the frontrunner so far, but ABC is in the game. We're told CBS "is a distant third." We're told NBC is paying for Baez' hotel room.
Baez spent part of the night Thursday in the Mandarin Oriental bar with famed lawyer Mark Geragos (right) -- who knows a thing or two about high-profile cases. We're told Geragos gave Baez pointers on negotiating the deal.
We took your questions today on everything -- including Mel Gibson's letter to Oksana Grigorieva, Lindsay Lohan may be heading back to jail, and the bad omen for "American Idol."
Plus: Madonna fan arrested outside her NYC apartment.
Nicollette Sheridan won't be surprised if ABC and "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry team up to paint her as a difficult diva who is making up claims she was physically abused by Cherry.
TMZ broke the story Nicollette is suing ABC and Cherry for more than $20 mil, claiming Cherry actually struck her in the face in anger, ultimately firing her.
Nicollette's rep tells TMZ the actress was "a model employee" and Cherry's behavior toward her was "abusive and appalling."
The rep says Nicollette asked ABC for "help and protection" from ABC, to no avail, adding she did not want to file suit but felt "compelled" to do it to stand up for her rights.
The rep says, "It will not be a surprise if ABC and Mr. Cherry try to depict Nicollette to be something other than a team player and long-standing industry professional."
Nicollette Sheridan has sued Marc Cherry, the creator of "Desperate Housewives," alleging he struck her across the head and face on the set, and after she complained he fired her.
In the legal papers, obtained by TMZ, Nicollette is suing for assault and battery, gender violence and wrongful termination.
Sheridan is suing for more than $20 million.
In the lawsuit, Sheridan claims Cherry created a hostile work environment from the get go, "behaving in an extremely abusive and aggressive manner toward the individuals who work on the show."
Sheridan says during the 5th season, Cherry put her in his crosshairs. She claims on September 24, 2008, he physically assaulted her after she questioned him about something in the script. According to the lawsuit, "Cherry took her aside and forcefully hit her with his hand across her face and head."
According to the suit, after the alleged incident, Cherry went to her trailer to "beg forgiveness."
Sheridan says she immediately reported the incident to ABC, but Cherry's aggressiveness only worsened and ABC failed to take action.
And get this ... The suit alleges when Cherry found out Teri Hatcher went above his head to complain about him, he said, "I hope Teri Hatcher gets hit by a car and dies."
And, she says, she was killed off the show unfairly.
UPDATE: ABC tells the L.A. Times "While we have yet to see the actual complaint, we investigated similar claims made by Ms. Sheridan last year and found them to be without merit."
Paula Abdul is supposedly thisclose to signing on for a revamped "Star Search" on ABC -- but if her reaction last night is honest, it ain't exactly a done deal for the ex-"American Idol" judge.
Choices, choices.
Welcome back to another edition of The "Lost" Diary.
For all you "Lost" Diary newbies, here's how it goes: I gather with a group of friends watching "Lost," writing what happens on the show as it happens, and throwing in my two cents along the way. Let's roll ...
9:00 -- "I'm fine, thank you." -- Ben. I don't know about you, but I am ready for Ben to start acting like Ben again and not some scared little bitch.
9:01 -- "It's Dr. Linus, actually." -- Ben. I am obviously curious how Ben ended up a HS history teacher -- he seems a tad over-qualified.
9:02 -- ARZT!!!!
9:03 -- "Just sounds like you care about this place. And if the man in charge doesn't, maybe it's time for a change." -- Locke. Was he talking about the high school ... or the island?
"The Bachelor" Jake Pavelka is catching some serious heat even before marrying Vienna Girardi -- and it's all over the ex-girlfriend in this photo.
Jake's ex, 24-year-old Tanya Douglas, claims that Jake was in contact with her after he finished taping "The Bachelor" -- and she claims Jake said he was coming back to her.
In the past Jake has denied any overlap between past relationships and his 'Bachelor' days.
So, what do you think -- did Jake make the right choice?
We generally don't post names of contestants on TV shows, but this one we had to tell you about.
Erin Andrews, of ESPN fame -- the woman who was spied on by creepy Peeping Tom Michael Barrett -- will be a contestant on the next "Dancing with the Stars."
As we first reported, Chad Ochocinco will also be competing, as will man-on-the-moon Buzz Aldrin, Pam Anderson, Nicole Scherzinger "Bachelor" Jake Pavelka and Evan Lysacek.
As these shows go, kinda interesting.
NFL star Chad Ochocinco is known for his prolific end zone dances -- but now he'll be dancing ... with the stars.
Multiple sources tell TMZ the outspoken Cincinnati Bengal will be part of the cast of "Dancing with the Stars" this coming season.
Ochocinco joins a list of NFL stars who have done the show including Warren Sapp, Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice.
A rep for ABC would not comment on potential cast members ... but did a great job of reminding us the official announcement comes tonight during the season finale of "The Bachelor."
Daniel from TMZ here, welcome back to another edition of The "Lost" Diary.
You know that bar game where you have to stare at two pictures and touch the screen whenever you spot a difference? I think that's what this season of "Lost" is like. One minute you're yelling "Hey, Desmond isn't supposed to be on the plane" and the next week you're screaming "Claire's sonogram says October but it's supposed to be September!" What will we spot this week?
For all you "Lost" Diary newbies, here's how it goes: I gather with a group of friends watching "Lost," writing what happens on the show as it happens, and throwing in my two cents along the way. I swore to myself I was going to watch "Lost" at a different place each week, but every other place is far and Ari lives five blocks away. So here we are. Let's roll.
9:00 -- I avoided promos and commercials all week, so the fact the "Previously on 'Lost'" section is Not Locke heavy has me very excited.
9:01 -- Don't tell John Locke he can't get out of a van! OK, maybe he can't, but still -- just don't tell him.
Wellington
