• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, July 14, 2006

Mull over this possible tagline for a hypothetical MediaPost trade ad: "Coming soon, from the writer of 'TV Watch'--a new upfront TV advertising story."

This makes sense. Whatever brand equity this "TV Watch" column has might go a long way toward selling a new forthcoming upfront TV advertising story. (Not that anyone really needs another TV upfront story this season).

Lifetime has just this type of real marketing issue to contend with. But it might have gone a bit too far.

Touting a new series called "Angela's Eyes," the cable network has been using a new outdoor campaign with the marketing line: "From the producers of Academy Award winner 'Crash.': 'Angela's Eyes.'"

That's not entirely true. There are six people who have a producer credit on "Crash," according to the Internet Movie Database: Mark R. Harris, Robert Moresco, Don Cheadle, Paul Haggis, Cathy Schulman, and Bob Yari. Only Cathy Schulman is associated with "Angela's Eyes." Tom Nunan, credited as an executive producer on "Crash," is also behind "Angela's Eyes."

Complicating this issue is the now long-time tussle between Schulman and "Crash" producer Bob Yari, about payment and use of producer credits over the movie.

"Crash" producers Mark R. Harris, Robert Moresco and Paul Haggis filed suit against Lifetime, arguing the cable network improperly used the Oscar-winning film to promote "Angela's Eyes."

Seemingly, all this will end without a legal tussle, as Lifetime is changing to a campaign to feature reviewers' quotes. But no matter-- Haggis' attorney wants to make sure he has his say.

"Paul [Haggis] does not sponsor, endorse or promote 'Angela's Eyes' in any way," said Haggis' attorney. "The billboard suggests that Paul Haggis is somehow involved with 'Angela's Eyes.' "

I guess that's most unusual in Hollywood--not taking credit.

I agree with those ethics. So here goes: I'm the writer, along with Jon Lafayette of Television Week, of the story that broke the news ABC was moving "Monday Night Football" to ESPN.

But we didn't get the other, somewhat less interesting part of the story--that NBC grabbed the "Sunday Night Football" package.

Who got that story? I'm sure someone is taking credit--and selling off of it.