Is thin-skinned Ann Coulter sabotaging Al Franken's film?

[LTR]

Ann Coulter has demanded that a great scene where she gets her skinny ass handed to her be cut from the documentary Al Franken: God Spoke. The film, which follows Franken’s book tour for Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right, his involvement in liberal radio network Air America and his eventual decision to run for office, includes a scene where Coulter and Franken engage in a public debate at The Connecticut Forum in 2004. In the scene they briefly argue about the late Minnesota senator Paul Wellstone, then they’re asked a question about which historical figure they would like to be. Coulter says FDR, so she could never introduce the New Deal. Al Franken quickly and easily decimates her with his answer – he’d be Hitler, so he could stop the Holocaust. It’s a great moment, and not one that was a secret between then and now – it’s been a favorite laughing point for bloggers. But then on Monday directors Nick Doob and Chris Hegedus were informed that Coulter wouldn’t give them permission to use the footage, even though the film has already screened at the Tribeca Film Festival with the scene intact.

(snip)

The filmmakers don’t know what Coulter’s exact problem is with the footage. “We don’t really know,” says Doob. “She just didn’t want it in the film.” If I had to guess I would say it’s a two-pronged thing: she doesn’t want to be in the movie getting owned, and she wants to spite Franken.

Explains Franken: “We don’t get along at all. I don’t like her and she doesn’t like me.”

(more)

http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=news&id=7505

[CBGLuthier]

1. As much as I despise the woman, this is her right

In fact, I personally would suggest that Ann Coulter be edited from everything she has ever done until there is nothing left but a greasy stain and an unpleasant memory.

But she does have the right to control the use of her image.

[greenman3610]

3. I disagree

Someone that is a public figure appearing in a public
forum where everyone knows their actions and words
are being recorded for wide media consumption, for the
purpose of publicizing themselves, reaching the masses and swaying public
opinion, has no right to restrict the public's option to see and
evaluate their performance.

Any judge worth a damn will laugh this out.

[CBGLuthier]

6. Wide media VS. documentary

I don't know. I can see the difference between airing footage, archiving it for a college, and including it as part of a documentary.

In the last case, the author of the work expects to be compensated for his work by charging admission and it may be a different matter. Also, since the intent of the work is to praise Franken, and not just to make commentary on Coulter, she may have a case.

If it were a doc just focusing on Coulter and pointing out her flaws that might be a different matter.

[TechBear_Seattle]

15. I think that is a key difference

A for-profit movie does not fall in the same category as news media. Unless Colter signed a statement giving up all commercial rights to her presence at the forum, Franken and his producers have no legal recourse.

[truebrit71]

13. Not if it was filmed at a public debate she doesn't....

...

[Strathos]

2. They should film a reenactment using a

skeleton in a blond wig and Coultpukes voice. They could get away with it that way and it'd be much more lifelike. LOL

[TheDebbieDee]

5. Great idea, Strathos.......

SERIOUSLY, that's a great idea.

Or they could do it like Keith Olberman's puppet theater, too!

[goddess40]

7. NOOOOO!!!! not the puppet theater!!!

That is one part of the show that drives me crazy - although I think covering the fluff stories in any way is bad the puppet theater is THE WORST!!

[lectrobyte]

12. Or have kids re-enact it ala The Daily Show's "Great Moments in

Pundit History". Lots of ways around her refusal that ridicule her even more.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. LOL!

[MetaTrope]

4. So Ann Coulter works a two-pronged thing?

Hmmmm...

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Ah let her sue, Al

She is the one who will come out smelling bad in the publicity surrounding any lawsuit.

[zbdent]

9. Actually, it might prove even more effective for Franken ...

if he cut the scene but replaced it with a disclaimer that effectively said "The following is a recreation of a true event that Ann Coulter DEMANDED be cut from this film"

and then show a recreation with a ditzy blonde doing the re-enactment, and then the footage of Franken ...

[drbtg1]

11. I'm glad I got to see that moment live

Having been there, I could see two "problems" why Coulter wouldn't want to have that included. One was the crowd reaction after Mr. Franken's answer. While there were a few near me who cheered Coulter (unfortunately, I was in the very expensive section, as that was the only tickets left when I tried to purchase, but I did get to go backstage and meet Mr. Franken afterwards), the audience clearly loved Mr. Franken's answer. The other problem was Coulter took FOREVER to answer her questions. Steve Roberts, the moderator, was more than willing to allow Coulter all the time in the world. I'm sure the time it took doesn't look good for her/him on film, especially when the best she/he could muster was so easily trounced by Mr. Franken.

edit: typo

[NYCGirl]

14. Maybe he could get Bebe Neuwirth to portray Coulter, as she has done so

brilliantly on his radio show. She's got the voice and the inflection down pat.

[Edgewater_Joe]

16. Make mAnn Sue Al

We all know how well it worked for O'Loofah, after all ...