DeVito and several other producers are hot for Antar's story after recently seeing him on CNBC being confronted by his cousin, Sam Antar, whose testimony sent Eddie to federal prison for 7½ years. [...]

The success story went sour when Eddie took the company public in 1987 and the feds charged him with conspiracy and racketeering in an $80 million stock fraud. [...]

The movie would cover the four years Eddie spent on the lam, his first marriage, which produced five daughters, and his second, which produced a son.

Whichever producer wins the rights to make the Crazy Eddie story, we hope they spare no expense in casting the pivotal role of announcer Jerry Carroll, the star of the commercials. His memorable performances hinted at an unhinged improvisational comic genius, and he could only be done justice by a similar talent, on the level of a Jim Carrey—who, now that we mention it, will probably be available once he's done motion-capturing Scrooge talking to the Ghost of Christmas Future out of his ass.

• H'WOOD HOT FOR CRAZY EDDIE [NY Post]

Think you have what it takes to be the next Jerry Bruckheimer, James Brooks, JJ Abrams or Mark Burnett?

Then we want to hear from you!

AMERICA'S NEXT PRODUCER is a reality competition series seeking Hollywood's top producer who will create the next generation of hit TV shows. It will feature contestants from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of TV production experience who will compete each week to survive elimination rounds during a 10 episode competition. In each show, the vying competitors will face innovative challenges that will put their creative skills to the test. The winner of AMERICA'S NEXT PRODUCER will receive the ultimate TV producer prize package, including $100,000 cash, a first-look deal with TV Guide Channel and a production office in Hollywood.

We know what you're thinking right about now: "How can I compete to win a hundred grand and the chance to develop the kind of exciting basic cable programming that will run on top of a slowly scrolling schedule grid on the TV Guide Channel, and which contractually must include the talents of Melissa and Joan Rivers or B-level American Idol castoffs?" Well, you're in luck, Mr. America's Next Jerry Bruckheimer! There's an open call for the show tomorrow afternoon at Les Deux. But be forewarned: The casting process includes the tricky question, "What do you think a producer does?," and by the time the third or fourth hopeful goes before the judges, no one will find the answer, "He's the guy getting blown by a struggling actress he's promised a one-line role while everyone else does the hard work!" cute anymore.

• America's Next Producer: How to Apply [TVGuide.com]

Latimes.com: So my first question is how do you decide which projects you want to do. Like, what's your process?

[Jerry Bruckheimer]: Well, if I want to go see it — it is that simple. I don't know what you like, I don't know what anybody else likes, but I know what I like.

Latimes.com: So you choose movies that speak to you and not necessarily what you think will speak to a larger audience?

JB: Well, fortunately for me, what I've liked what other people have liked. So far I'm doing OK. It will all change some day, but for right now I'm doing OK. [...]

Latimes.com: Seems like you especially like action.

JB: I like drama — action is included in that. I like interesting characters. Interesting themes. Great arenas.

Latimes.com: What do you feel are the elements of a good story?

JB: It's always great plotting, great characters and then coming back to great themes.

Latimes.com: When you say great plotting, what do you mean by that?

JB: Storytelling. Beginnings, middles and ends. In that order.

Those eager to sell all of their belongings and head off to Hollywood for a superproducing career shouldn't be discouraged by these needlessly complex "Great Plotting, Great Characters, Great Themes" and "Beginnings, Middles, and Ends, In That Order" maxims, as Bruckheimer was obviously trying to impress a reporter with his mastery of Aristotelian dramaturgy; in the end, they're hardly essential to the success of a project. Neglecting all three of these supposedly essential elements and randomly arranging the order of beginnings, middles, and ends can, and often does, result in a hit; one need look no further than the career of maverick filmmaker Brett Ratner for proof of that, and for reinforcement of the single, inviolable rule of blockbuster-making: "Shit Must Be Blown Up."

• Chatting with Mr. Bruckheimer [LAtimes.com]
• Previously: Jerry Bruckheimer: I Am The Audience, And The Audience Wants Shit To Blow Up [Defamer]