Three Link Circus

John C. Reilly In Parody 'Walk Hard'

John C. Reilly is all set to play the lead role in Walk Hard, a comedy co-written by The 40 Year-Old Virgin’s Judd Apatow. The movie pokes fun at the recent phenomenon of Oscar-baiting musician biopics. The Columbia Pictures project, scheduled for a February ’08 release, centers on a singer named Dewey Cox (said to be an amalgamation of Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Waylon Jennings) who overcomes adversity to become a musical legend. SNL veteran Tim Meadows will play the band's drummer while Jenna Fischer (Pam of The Office fame) will play Darlene, a June Carter Cash-like love interest. And yes, the film will use the real voices of both Reilly and Fischer in song. Jake Kasdan (Orange County, Zero Effect), who co-wrote the script, will direct.

Broadcasters to pay indies in payola settlement

The four major radio broadcasters and the Federal Communications Commission are finalizing a payola settlement that will have Clear Channel Communications, CBS Radio, Entercom Communications, and Citadel Broadcasting paying a $12.5 million fine and guaranteeing 8,400 half-hour segments of free airtime for indie record labels and local artists. The settlement defines ''indie'' labels as those not owned or controlled by Sony BMG, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, or EMI Group. The broadcasters are not acknowledging guilt in the case, which followed an ongoing federal investigation into payola practices and other settlements, totaling more than $36 million. Great! Now maybe some bands besides Earwig can get some airplay over at CD101!? P.S. I kid because I care.

Davitian spies 'Smart' role as KAOS baddie

Borat comes out on DVD today. And with that we have a little news nugget on Ken Davitian who will forever be known as the portly hairball sidekick in Borat. It is being reported that he has joined the all-star cast of Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow's big-screen adaptation of Get Smart. No word on whether or not he will wear clothes. But, we do know that Steve Carell is playing Maxwell Smart, Anne Hathaway is Agent 99, and Alan Arkin is portraying the Chief of CONTROL. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (who has a pretty hilarious bit part in Reno 911: Miami) and Terrence Stamp have also been cast. The project is being directed by Peter Segal (Tommy Boy, 50 First Dates) and is scheduled for a summer 2008 release.