One more quick note about the O.J. Simpson book deal: You’ll recall our initial skepticism about all this, which appeared justified when Simpson’s attorney categorically denied the deal existed. So, yeah, we got it wrong, but here’s the thing: go back and reread our original item, and you’ll see two retrospectively significant passages: “The Enquirer does have a solid track record, which is the only reason I’m not dismissing the story entirely” and “An anonymous reader invokes Judith Regan.”
Apparently the trick to keeping the deal secret is to have your author’s attorney lie through his teeth completely out of the loop*. Wonder if Yale Galanter is going to live up to the vow he made to reporters last month: “If anyone comes out with such a book, I’ll go on every talk show and call it crap.” I’m not holding my breath… and, Enquirer, I’m sorry I ever doubted you. Can you forgive me?
*Apologies to Mr. Galanter for my cynical assumptions. As it happens, the subject did come up during today’s lunch with Judith Regan, who, when I explained that we stopped believing the initial rumors because the lawyer denied the deal existed, told me that he didn’t know.