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HBO is trying to make a deal with "litigious showbiz blogger Nikki Finke" to be a consultant on its new show "Tilda," which is pretty clearly based on Finke, says Matthew Belloni of THR, Esq. "The deal isn't done, and, as anyone who has dealt with the fiery Finke will understand, it could fall apart until the moment it's 100% signed," says Belloni. "But multiple sources say talks are serious and HBO has made an offer to bring her on board." HBO had previously taken the position that the Tilda character was a fictional composite of a blogger who just happens to share many traits with the doyenne of Deadline Hollywood. Further background from Belloni:
Journalism ethicists might wonder whether Finke or her MMC-owned website, Deadline.com, will continue to cover HBO if she's on the payroll. MMC owner Jay Penske did not immediately return an email asking whether Finke's arrangement would impact the coverage on Deadline, though sources say Finke would likely refrain from personally covering the net if a deal can be reached. Neither Nikki nor her staff have written a word so far about "Tilda," even though media outlets far and wide have covered the Bill Condon and Cynthia Mort-penned project, which has Diane Keaton circling the Tilda role (though there's no deal for her).There's another insidery angle to this story. Finke has engaged LA attorney Tal Vigderson to represent her in dealings with HBO, but Ari Emanuel, whose WME agency is packaging the show, has taken an interest in this project....Emanuel doesn't represent Finke, but the connection between them probably won't be a shock to people who know them. Finke's, um, insider coverage of last year's WMA-Endeavor merger helped put her and her website on the map.