Academy pulls Deadline's credential over Finke's leaks

Nikki Finke says that the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences this morning pulled her film editor Mike Fleming's backstage press credential to cover Sunday's Oscars, citing Deadline's reporting of spoilers about the show. In response, Finke posted more info about the spoilers — including "the fact that some (but not all) of the 'spoilers' reported by Deadline -- including Billy Crystal's scheduled appearance -- were done so with the permission and encouragement and even timing suggestions of Oscar insiders who were hoping to spike more viewership for Sunday's show." Unless this is all one big hype tactic in which Nikki is complicit, the academy's retaliation is fairly outrageous.

Previously on LA Observed:
David Poland goes nuclear on Finke