This would be funnier if its writers for Will Ferrell’s FunnyOrDie.com website had acknowledged that Variety rarely writes anything critical of the showbiz establishment. So thinking up terms to describe, say, the opposite of a tentpole (“Shit Pit”), or a Hollywood exec who doesn’t show up for work because he’s too busy partying (“Ben Silverman”), is a wasted exercise when talking about the trade’s coverage. How about a skit of Peter Bart embarrassing himself by twisting arms at studios so they take out more For Your Consideration ads? (Which he’s doing with publisher Neil Stiles’ blessing…) Now that would be a laugh riot.

Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.

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