Slumping Universal Whacks Co-Chairmen, Promotes Marketing Boss

Well, that was fast: Less than a week after speculation began in earnest that Ron Meyer was plotting a regime change at the hit-starved Universal Pictures, David Linde and Marc Shmuger are out of their jobs as the studio's co-chairmen. They're being replaced, as predicted, by Universal's current marketing boss Adam Fogelson.

Also as predicted, head of production Donna Langley will report to Fogelson as co-chairman. Considering each new principal's respective role in Universal's current slump (these are the people responsible in part for Land of the Lost, after all), it's difficult to say what immediate changes the transition portends. But as we're always ones to hope for the best, Movieline wishes them luck. Which, if the sluggish tracking for Couples Retreat is any indication, they're going to need. First recommendation: No more 2.5-hour Judd Apatow cancer comedies. What else? Comment away...

· STUDIO SHAKEUP! Adam Fogelson Named New Chairman Of Universal Pictures [DHD]