Let's make a deal...

Earnie Hooks, the L.A.-based indie entrepreneur who says his Artistry Entertainment is behind such companies as InTouch Technologies and Ask For Inc., claims to be pumping millions into a new Internet entity that will bring cable TV, complete with HD capability, to laptops throughout the world. But we're not all that sure where those millions are coming from. Or even if they exist.

Before making his dough in the loan business, Hooks also says he was involved in music, working with such producers as Johnny "J," Shakir Stewart and Jay Z. And there doesn't seem to be much proof of that either.

Kathy Griffin -- the angry young comic who lives, as she puts it, on the D-list -- has re-upped with Bravo for at least another year, Variety said.

Now, we'll get to enjoy her put-downs on her reality show ("My Life on the D-List") as well as her hosting of shows like the A-list Awards and a new two-hour stand-up special. Whooweee!

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and resident Terminator, in between sobbing over pal John McCain's resounding defeat to President-elect Barack Obama and worrying about this pending 10% sales tax increase, will call for a special session of the legislature to "stop the bleeding" in state spending, along with enacting tax incentives for Hollywood runaway production, Deadline Hollywood Daily asserts.

If Ah-nuld is able to coax the legislature into tax incentives for Hollywood, then the studios and industry may be in his debt. But most, including blogger Nikki Finke are not quite convinced that it will be all that possible. In the meantime, the entire state will have to make do with this 10% sales tax, if it actually ends up being ratified.

Rick Siegel, founder and major domo for Marathon Entertainment, has taken his battle with the legal and governmental denizens over the ability for managers to represent clients and procure employment right to the top.

He's filed a diatribe of a letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, breaking down his ongoing appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a federal lawsuit he filed against State Labor Commissioner Andrea Broadstreet.

Rick has been fighting this good fight for nearly 10 years solely with the intent of defending managers' rights and allowing them to represent talent and writers and even producers without breaking the law. Currently, managers are not allowed to procure jobs for clients and supposedly are never supposed to be involved in any kind of negotiation for their clients' work.

Of course, managers in Hollywood ignore these laws all the time. But Siegel got tired of it when he had a knock-down drag-out fight with Nia Vardalos of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" fame back in 2002 when the film broke all sorts of records and made tons of cash. As a result, Siegel reared his head and challenged the status quo of the management syndicate. He's been at it ever since.

The Schwarzenegger missive is below:

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We don't need to defend our Craigslist addiction do we? Every so often a gem like this pops up and if we weren't checking it a couple times a day - we'd miss it:

PROFESSIONAL WRITER NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reply to: job-637006783@craigslist.org Date: 2008-04-10, 1:38AM PDT

I have been working for 3 years on this script/novel/screenplay without significant progress and thus am seeking the help of a professional writer with abundant movie writing experience to complete it. Look what I am reduced to doing. The only thing that I have completely written so far is my acceptance speech for the Academy Award (LOL.) Ideas like this only come by once in a lifetime. Unfortunately, I don't have a fellow writer like Matt Damon did.

Writer must be comfortable with writing graphic science fiction/horror type of movie script. Prefer writer with at least 3-5 years experience. Project is to be completed ASAP.

You must provide full name and phone number in response so I can look you up in the WGAW website. Also, tell me about your greatest writing accomplishment.

NO DRUGGIES OR PSYCHOS NEED APPLY. Don't waste my time.

FYI script has been notarized and filed with my attorney for safe keeping and all conversations will be recorded for my protection. Sorry I had to say that, but come on who are we kidding here.

No pay. Only fame. No kidding. Ad is here. Good luck applicants!

Is there a problem in the House of Arnold? The Governator's Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director, Adam Mendelsohn, has defected -- joining another former Arnold strategist -- for a PR firm.

For our PR readers who claim we don't cover them enough:

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Hyperfactory, the mobile marketing company, is getting a boatload of cash from former president of Walt Disney Studios and Paramount Television Group Rich Frank (not to be confused with Frank Rich, who, we're guessing, doesn't keep cash by the boatloads).

No one is saying how much money Frank is giving Hyperfactory, but it's apparently enough to help the company launch an entertainment division aimed at record labels and film and TV studios, according to Online Media Daily.

"This is a strategic move on our part as an indicator of one of the new areas we're going into, and where we see the [mobile] space headed," says Hyperfactory CEO Derek Handley. Previously, the company worked indirectly with entertainment brands and talent via Madison Avenue; now it will now seek to partner directly with Hollywood.

So, if you get in a car wreck because some jackass couldn't take his eyes off the Hoobastank video on his iPhone, you know whom to blame.

*Photo stolen from picturephoning.com.

The Jupitermedia Corporation done bought our sweet little arses for $23 million. What does that mean? Tune in to Fishbowl NY for more details as they develop.

UTA and advertising agency Spot Runner have teamed up to launch 60Frames Entertainment, a company that will finance and syndicate professionally-produced online content. UTA's Brent Weinstein will helm.

Take that, YouTube.

More:

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FBLA has heard that Innovative Artists agency has reversed that earlier decision and is restoring benefits to assistants. Scott Harris had tried to pinch the pennies too hard and restricted health bennies to agents, jr. agents and key admin. types and subsequently received the full online mocking.

We called one office, got our story confirmed by a very nervous person. Called Nevin Dolcefino's office. Sent an email, got a big ol' No Comment reply.