Before departing Deadline last month, Nikki Finke built a reputation as one of the most well-connected journalists in Hollywood. When a big entertainment story broke, the byline often listed Finke’s name. In a recent sketch, Funny or Die has theorized the methods through which Finke acquires her leads by placing her at the center of a Hollywood action thriller.
Actress Jean Smart portrays Finke in a fake trailer for a film called Deadline. In addition to chasing scoops by posing as a waitress and hiding in Christina Applegate‘s shrubs, the fictional version of Finke is also on the run from a murderous version of Jay Penske. The result is a tidy little in-joke that entertains anyone familiar with Finke’s breaking stories while also devising a made-up reason for her departure from Deadline.
And yes, to answer the question you’re all asking right now–Deadline is aware of the parody and they seem to be taking it in stride. Of course, if he’s anything like his Funny or Die counterpart, Jay Penske is planning the murders of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay as we speak.
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