Tina Fey has long been a journalist's dream: a smart, funny, well-known actress who gives great quote. Put her on your cover and you're guaranteed at least a dozen clever lines that will be quoted ad infinitum on the blogs; call her for comment on a story and she'll toss off a zinger that could have been devised by the 30 Rock writers room. In short, you can always count on Tina Fey to say something awesome -- so why is her publicity firm trying to clamp down on that?
Journalists who attended the Date Night junket this weekend were dismayed and confused by a contract proffered by Fey's reps at WKT that had to be signed by the writers pre-interview (and which contained so much overprotective, press-wary language that you'd think you somehow landed an interview with Angelina Jolie by mistake). Here's the contract, which was leaked to Movieline:
RE: INTERVIEW WITH TINA FEY
The following will serve as an agreement between ____________________ and Tina Fey in regard to their interview for ___________________________ .
Journalist may not use text produced by Tina Fey for any purposes other than what is originally intended without securing the prior written permission of Tina Fey and WKT PR. The obtained quotes may only be used for _______________________.
Journalist may show the completed article as an example of his work, but journalist agrees not to publish any quotes supplied by Tina Fey in any manner without obtaining written consent.
The text may not be used for any merchandising purposes, without prior written permission. Should you fail to strictly comply with the forgoing, our client will have the right to exercise all of his rights and liberties at law and in equity.
On the other hand, journalists interviewing Steve Carell didn't have to sign a thing.
What gives, guys? Tina Fey is hardly some Chloë Sevigny who's going to accidentally blurt out a criticism of her writers -- she is her writers. Did Mo'Nique send Tina a strongly-worded, NSFW letter or something?
[Photo Credit: Joe Kohen/Getty Images]