The plot of the bewildering, apparently one-sided dispute between Countdown host Keith Olbermann and Current TV is thinning as it thickens. A source at the network tells Mediaite that, despite the ominous Hollywood Reporter story that “lawyers” are discussing the dustup over Current’s Iowa Caucus coverage, Olbermann’s attorneys have not been in touch with the network on that matter. The source also says that the network has invited Olbermann to anchor Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary coverage, but has not gotten a response.

It appears that the situation between Keith Olbermann and Current TV that led to the “Chief News Officer” there being excluded from primetime Iowa caucus coverage has taken a turn for the worse. Olbermann’s lead attorney spoke to The Hollywood Reporter today confirming that lawyers are discussing the matter, while the host himself tells THR: “I was not given a legitimate opportunity to host under acceptable conditions.”

There are very few things Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek could add to his resume that would make him even more beloved in the eyes of Americans, and yet he has outdone himself– this weekend, Trebek embarked on some hardcore crime-fighting, and while he tore his Achilles tendon, the culprit who broke into his hotel room and stole some money and jewelry was nearly immediately caught.

>If you’re friends with either Anne Hathaway or James Franco, you might want to do what you can to keep them off the internet and away from newspapers today. It’s not pretty out there. The hosts of Sunday night’s Academy Awards show on ABC have given critics a form of Christmas in February, and they’re holding nothing back. The UK’s Daily Mail headlines “Clumsy and Downright Painful,” and the New York Post went with “Hip Was Never So Dull.” And those were the nice reviews.

On Wednesday, The Hollywood Reporter published an article on the relationship between Sarah Palin and MSNBC, and its role in the network’s success. In a guest column, John Ziegler, radio host, Palin confidante, and the filmmaker behind Media Malpractice: How Obama Got Elected and Palin Was Targeted, offers his analysis of the Hollywood Reporter piece, including exclusive details of Hollywood Reporter’s Q&A with Ziegler which were never printed. The views expressed in this guest column are those of John Ziegler alone.

At the top of the Oscar list are two movies – True Grit and The Social Network – that have attracted and delighted audience that are now vying for supremacy in the eyes of the Academy Awards voters. Last week, Grit pulled ahead in box office totals, but Social Network has been the favorite thus far among major critics’ awards. Because of the late momentum Grit has generated at the box office, Social Network will be re-released in theaters.

Today, HollywoodReporter.com reveals that HBO has started developments on “Tilda,” a half-hour comedy series centering on the exploits of a ruthless Hollywood gossip blogger with an unmissable resemblance to Nikki Finke. Will Finke’s onscreen avatar will be faithful to the mix of bodilessness and omniscience that has defined the Finke of real life?

It was an irresistible story. A gay-hookup site called ManCrunch submitted an ad to CBS for inclusion during the Super Bowl. The company leaks to the media that they expect to be turned down because the ad includes two men kissing and CBS instantly became the villain in the annual ritual of Super Bowl ad drama.

If ever a man’s career accurately encapsulated the big media landscape of today, Richard “Mad Dog” Beckman‘s would be it. After serving Si Newhouse and Condé Nast for 24 years, the New York Post is reporting that Beckman will leave his position as CEO of Condé’s Fairchild Fashion Group to become CEO of e5 Global Media, a new trade publication company.

Is Simon Cowell, seen by many knowledgeable observers as “the only reason to watch American Idol,” about to depart from said American Idol at the end of this season? Simon Cowell’s brother Tony (Cowell) said as much on his podcast, “The Cowell Factor.” After a bit of hesitation on the media’s part, the story has traversed the gossip blogs and been picked up by the Associated Press, ABC News, and other outlets. So: is Simon Cowell actually leaving American Idol? And if so, does the show have a chance?

CNN founder Ted Turner has plenty of problems with the way cable news is trending, but he just does not understand the fascination with these laborious, wasteful newspapers, according to his appearance on Bloomberg TV as reported by the Hollywood Reporter.