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Creative Force of VH1's Reality Shows Leaves, but Not in Reality (NYT)
VH1, the cable channel which has soared in the ratings because of reality shows like Flavor of Love is losing its top creative executive but not his creativity. Michael Hirschorn, an executive vice president at VH1, is leaving the cable network to form his own production company, which will develop shows initially for that channel and others owned by MTV Networks, including MTV, CMT, and Logo. B&C: VH1, separately, green-lit three new reality contests and promoted two executives to fill the gap.

Publishers Pounded as Wal-Mart Ousts 1000 Mag Titles (NYP)
Wal-Mart is tossing more than 1,000 magazines from the racks in its stores, sending yet another shock wave through the battered publishing industry. Most of the magazines are small, and more than a few of the victims are titles that have long since stopped publishing. However, virtually no major publisher was spared. The move is likely to hurt new magazines, which take time to nurture and develop a following.

Oscar Night May Finally Give Striking Writers the Clout They Need (BusinessWeek)
Jon Fine: At best, the networks are playing a dangerous game of chicken; they're hurtling toward an invisible line that divides "saving money" from "destroying the business." The networks are insulated, somewhat, against disappearing viewers. They are not at all insulated from disappearing advertisers. Which is why the first real looming threat to the networks is the Oscars. NYT: Hollywood's movie and television directors agreed Thursday afternoon to a new contract with production companies. The accord would appear to send a none-too-subtle message to striking screenwriters: This is not the time to get hung up on new media. WaPo: The directors' three-year contract, made after less than a week of negotiations, ups wages and residual rates every year, establishes DGA jurisdiction over programs produced for distribution on the Web, and effectively doubles the current residual rate for paid Web downloads, the union said yesterday. Forbes: While the debate does affect how to divide pieces of the digital media pie, the work stoppage is really about the writers' desire to be treated as partners in a creative endeavor, a concept that studios have moved further and further away from, writes Thom Taylor.

AP Has Written Britney Spears' Obituary (Us)
The Associated Press began preparing Britney Spears' obituary within the past month. "We are not wishing it, but if Britney passed away, it's easily one of the biggest stories in a long time," AP entertainment editor Jesse Washington said. "I think one would agree that Britney seems at risk right now." AP: Four paparazzi arrested for chasing Britney.

Reaction Intense to Golfweek Noose Cover (AP)
The editor of Golfweek said he was overwhelmed by negative reaction to the photo of a noose on the cover of this week's issue, illustrating a story about the suspension of a Golf Channel anchor for using the word "lynch" in an on-air discussion about how to beat Tiger Woods. "We knew that image would grab attention, but I didn't anticipate the enormity of it," editor Dave Seanor said. AJ-C: Has Golfweek gone too far? ESPN: Golfweek's cover is worse damaging than the original comment, writes Jason Sobel.

Chris Matthews Backs Off 'Nasty' Remark on Clinton (WaPo)
Under pressure from feminist groups and his own bosses at MSNBC, Chris Matthews apologized yesterday for remarks about Hillary Clinton. For 10 days, the Hardball host had doggedly insisted he was just reciting a bit of history when he said on the air that "the reason she's a U.S. senator, the reason she's a candidate for president, the reason she may be a front-runner is her husband messed around." Salon/Broadsheet: Displaying all the heartfelt remorse of a kid being dragged by his ear to apologize to an old lady for sending a baseball through her window, Matthews began by explaining that it's hard out there for a pundit.

Real Simple to Launch Spinoff (Folio:)
Real Simple is taking its concept of making life more simple one step further by applying its wealth of practical life advice to an often daunting and expensive experience: planning a wedding. This month it launches its first-ever planning guide, Real Simple Weddings.

Dan Cooper Knew Why Fox News Would Succeed (Jossip)
Former Roger Ailes charge and current foe Dan Cooper returns — with what we imagine will be an ongoing book teaser promotional play — to explain why, when Fox News was charging up in the late 90s, neither CNN or MSNBC made any major move to squash the newcomer.

NYC Anchor Steve Bartelstein Upbeat Despite Fear That Cancer Has Spread (NYDN)
It's bad news for WCBS/Channel 2 anchor Steve Bartelstein — he's just finished four rounds of chemotherapy to learn the treatment has not helped in his battle with testicular cancer. "Unfortunately, the chemo has not worked," Bartelstein said. In fact, his doctors believe the cancer has spread to his brain. Bartelstein expects to find out how much and where after tests next week.

Don't Mess With Anna (WWD)
Sen. Hillary Clinton was to appear in Vogue as the presidential race reached high gear, but backed out late last fall before a photo shoot was scheduled for fear of appearing "too feminine." Editor Anna Wintour didn't take Clinton's dis lightly. In her February editor's letter, Wintour takes Clinton to task for being behind the times.

Charlie Rose to Contribute to 60 Minutes (TVNewser)
CBS announced today that Charlie Rose will begin contributing stories to CBS' 60 Minutes beginning this season. Rose had previously filled a similar role on 60 Minutes II, which aired from 1999-2005. Rose currently hosts Charlie Rose" on PBS, and has since 1991. Previously, Rose had a prior stint with CBS News, serving as anchor of Nightwatch from 1984-1990.

You Will Be Fired — And If You Haven't Been Yet, Don't Worry, You Will Be (Folio:)
Mark Newman: There is job security to be had in publishing for us editorial types. I found that association/non-profit was the most stable. More than likely, the association has been around for generations, so it's not going anywhere. The least stable? Pretty much everything else, as the daily news blasts and headlines relentlessly inform us.

Blogonomics: Bloggers of the World, Unite! (CJR)
Chris Mooney: Blogs aren't just part of the proverbial marketplace of ideas; they're also part of the plain old marketplace — and site viewership, of course, translates into ad sales. As top-tier blogs, in particular, become increasingly profitable, it will be fair to ask just how much of their proceeds are going to the writers who, ultimately, make it all possible.

Super Bowl XLII: The Ultimate Shoot-Out for Photogs (PopPhoto)
Just off-field, sports shooters and their assistants will dash upfield and down following the plays, and images will be transmitted almost instantaneously to the home offices of the Associated Press, Getty Images, Reuters, Sports Illustrated, and other news organizations. The goal: To be the first and fastest to deliver images of the game to their print- and Web-based clients — and the world.

Keaton's Use of Obscenity Adds Fodder to TV Debate (LAT)
On Wednesday evening, a panel of notable entertainment officials gathered to examine a suddenly refreshing issue as old as mass communication itself: the tension between TV's artistic freedom and social responsibility. Diane Keaton's apparently inadvertent use of the f-word during a segment of Good Morning America this week served as a timely jumping-off point.