DRUDGE REPORT 2002®
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THURSDAY AUG 22, 2002 16:39:07 ET XXXXX
SHOWDOWN: OZZY ISSUES LEGAL THREAT; DEMANDS FOX NEWS PULL INTERVIEW SET FOR AIR
**Exclusive**
MTV starrocker John Michael Osbourne [p/k/a Ozzy Osbourne] has issued a dramatic legal threat trying to block an interview set for air on FOX NEWS tonight and tomorrow, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, claiming the network conducted the interview with Osbourne under "false" pretenses!
MORE
Osbourne's Fifth Avenue lawyers have fired off a legal warning to FOX -- claiming the network will be held to "substantial liability and damages" if the interview airs.
Osbourne claims he agreed to sit with FOX host Greta Van Susteren based on a "representation the interview was to be used, together with interviews by FOX of other public figures, solely in connection with a television show commemorating the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death."
Osbourne says he "never granted FOX permission to use the interview in any other manner and certainly did not authorize FOX to use it in segments or shows profiling him or his family, as an 'Exclusive.'"
The rocker's lawyers warn: "This interview was conducted under false pretenses, in violation of our clients' legal rights and contrary to established journalistic standards, and is being falsely advertised."
A network source told DRUDGE late Thursday: "This claim is without merit. We plan on running the interview in its entirety tomorrow night on FOX NEWS CHANNEL's On The Record with Greta Van Susteren."
In the interview Ozzy Osbourne talks little of Elvis, network sources say, rather he tells Greta how he's cried, prayed and feared for the future since his wife, Sharon, was diagnosed with colon cancer.
"I'm falling apart more than she is, and people say to me, 'Ozzy, you've got to be strong for Sharon.' And I'm not Superman, you know," Ozzy tells GRETA.
Industry sources suggest Ozzy took the dramatic legal move to block the interview after realizing the Osbournes are committed to an upcoming exclusive promised to ABC's Barbara Walters.
Ozzy is now asking for "injunctive relief" against FOX -- or warns he will demand "compensatory and punitive damages."
Developing...
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Filed By Matt Drudge
Reports are moved when circumstances warrant
http://www.drudgereportArchives.com for updates
(c)DRUDGE REPORT 2002
Not for reproduction without permission of the author
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