Word has it that THR publisher Eric Mika has "'burned through the company's cash flying back and forth to Asia' where he has a close personal friend." The paper's reps declined to comment, even as the money drought that resulted in editorial layoffs two weeks ago now threatens the remaining staff's critical coverage of Sundance. Their expense accounts reportedly have been frozen, they can't book rooms, and their paper may not even have a publisher by the time the fest begins next month — Mika himself is expected to be out of a job when his contract expires at the end of the year.

But! We digress. Who out there knows who's enticing the guy to Asia? Just how back-and-forth is "back-and-forth"? And can we get a little more specific with the location, too? It's a largish continent, last we checked. Operators are standing by.

• H'WOOD REPORTER FREEZE-UP [NYP]

Overheard at a press screening. Well-known but little respected TV critic whose son is also a well-known but little respected TV critic, trash-talking highly respected older critic who was replaced by his son.

He called the older replaced critic a "pathetic old putz," and suggested he should be thankful he still has his print column. As well, he suggested that the older critic's original show wouldn't work anymore because nobody wants to watch "two geeky guys." He glowed about how successful his son was at 27, appearing on at least six different networks. And that he didn't understand all of the anger directed at his son because it's only film criticism and that's nothing serious (even though that's what he does as well).

Arrgh. We did have it pegged as a Jeffrey Lyons/Ben Lyons/Roger Ebert love-in — until that part about "six different networks." The Facebook group I Have a Photo With Keira Knightley!!! is not considered an actual network, is it? Any other 27-year-olds with bad-critic fathers we've overlooked?

[T]wo days before the Oct. 29 surgery, the celebrity's people sent Trubenbach an email saying they had one condition: The actor would only write the check if Trubenbach agreed to turn over the boy's passport to his foundation.

Dumbfounded, Trubenbach asked why, but got no answer. She wouldn't do it. The celebrity pulled his offer. The surgery was going to be cancelled, Trubenbach tearfully told Brenda Hampton, a friend of hers who is also the producer of TV shows Seventh Heaven and The Secret Life of an American Teenager. On Sunday, with less than 24 hours left before the scheduled surgery, Hampton called American Express to get approval for a $180,000 purchase on her card.

Almost a year later, the kid is fixed up, and we're wondering who's got both the juice to make a deal like this and the balls to pull the plug on the eve of his surgery. Everybody in Hollywood gives, but only a few select charitable souls have their own foundations: The Bruce Willis Foundation has some history with Africa, as does (obviously) the Jolie/Pitt Foundation. Dwayne Johnson's Rock Foundation mission is "to make every child smile," but seems to mostly focus on Americans. Ideas, anyone?

• Zimbabwe village outcast embraced by O.C. school kids [OC Register]

Just saw a famous male tv personality leave a dollar store, crying. Life

Ah yes, life. We'll leave you to your guesswork now, keeping in mind a few things: 1. Ronen's profile lists him as being in NYC. 2. Lovably addled Oscars pre-show emcee Regis Philbin was born during the Great Depression, making him appreciative of a good bargain. 3. We're suddenly in the mood for a good cry and some lead-laced Chrest toothpaste. We'll see you in a few.

• Ronen's Twitter

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