In Media Res: Gay Talese gets with the Times; what Current TV’s paying for ‘Countdown’

Joe Pompeo
·Media Reporter

Talese on the Times: Journalism legend Gay Talese loves Andrew Rossi's new documentary about the paper Talese used to work for and write about. But the well-dressed emissary from past Times regimes did not appreciate the New York Times media desk trio of Bruce Headlam, David Carr and Brian Stelter--who star in the film, "Page One"--showing up to the screening he hosted this past Friday sans neck-tie. Still, Talese had very nice things to say about the paper of record, which has been the object of his criticism in the past, when Vanity Fair writer Sarah Ellison caught up with him at the after party.

"I think the paper tonight as I'm sitting in the middle of Le Cirque talking to you about this documentary, I think the Times is now better than ever, he told her.

"Better than when I worked for it. And Sulzberger the publisher has to take credit for it. And I think that the reporters we celebrate tonight are the quintessential journalists of my lifetime, and the editors too: The Jill Abramsons, the Bill Kellers, and the publisher Sulzberger."

This was our favorite part of their chat: "Journalism is for the young. Young people who go into journalism as a calling are entering, I think, the most worthwhile profession that is possible, and the reason I say that is that there is no profession or industry or calling that tries very hard to tell the truth and to sell the truth and to make the truth make money. The truth is hard, first of all, to get. And harder still to communicate. And more hard to make money on!" Amen.

Countdown to "Countdown": Keith Olbermann's new Current TV show lifts off in exactly one week. But how much is the former MSNBC anchor getting paid to develop his "Countdown" brand over at the little-known cable news network? A cool $50 million over the next five years, including $9 million the first year, which is more than his MSNBC salary was, the Wall Street Journal reports. Current TV is also reportedly outspending MSNBC on the production side, at $12 million a year. The Journal also reports that Current "plans to build a line-up of prime-time shows around the former MSNBC anchor that focus on political commentary and news, including at least two additional 'companion' shows and ambitious election plans."

AOL hires Hogan: The AOL Huffington Post Media Group announced Monday the latest journalist it's poached from a legacy news organization: Michael Hogan, executive digital editor of Vanity Fair, who joins the company as editor-in-chief of Moviefone and AOL TV. "Michael Hogan is one of the brightest talents in online media, and we're thrilled he's joining us," said Arianna Huffington in a statement about the hire. "Over the past few years, I've watched in awe as they have revolutionized online journalism," Hogan added of his new employers, "and I'm confident that together we can build Moviefone and AOL TV into essential destinations for fans and insiders alike." At Moviefone, Hogan replaces Patricia Chui, who was fired in April for trying to get laid-off freelance bloggers to work for free, while also programing content that sometimes appeared to be too cozy for comfort with the movie studios that the site covers.

On the block: American Media Inc. is up for sale. The New York Post's Keith Kelly reports that the publisher of celebrity gossip outlets National Enquirer and Radar Online, "has been shopping itself in recent months and has managed to attract at least one potential buyer ... private-equity giant Apollo Management." American Media just came out of Chapter 11 at the end of last year. Radar Online has landed big scoops in recent weeks involving Arnold Schwarzenegger's former mistress and Rep. Anthony Weiner's sexually charged Internet foibles. The National Enquirer is said to be shopping a reality show.

R(Photo of Talese: AP/Peter Kramer)