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April 2007
Here's
a picture from his birthday party. Another
picture. Picture.
12/19/06
Dan
Miller Named Editor-in-Chief of AVN Magazine
Dan Miller has been named the new editor-in-chief of AVN magazine,
effective immediately. Miller has been on the AVN editorial staff since
August of 2001, starting out as an associate editor for AVN.com, where
he led the website’s coverage of 9-11.
"I am excited about the future of AVN with Dan at the helm,” AVN President
Paul Fishbein said. “I know that he will carry on the excellent standard
that our previous Editor-in-Chief, Mike Ramone, set over the past six
years."
I kept
hearing for weeks that Mike Ramone would be fired.
I called Emily Evermoore, whose comments two weeks ago provoked a fever
pitch of speculation about Ramone.
Luke: "Did you hear Mike Ramone got fired?"
Emily: "Ohmigod. They told me they wouldn't fire him. It wasn't
because of the voice mail. Let me call Paul [Fishbein]."
Later, all I could get was a "no comment" issued by Emily's
attorney Michael
Fattorosi (he introduced her to her first agent, Joel Lawrence, at
the Jan. 2006 AEE).
What kind of crazy mixed-up world do we live in where the Emily Evermoores
of the world issue "no comments" through attorneys? This is
not the wild wild west of porn that I once knew and loved. Then I'd hear,
"I'll break your legs, buddy."
I ask another industry source about Ramone and get a "no comment."
There must be a juicy story here if normally outspoken people are giving
me "no comment."
Here's my discussion question of the day: Who is Dan Miller?
In February, I wrote: "Dan Miller and his sniffles and his paper
bags is the most mysterious [AVN employee]. Don't accuse me of engaging
in inscrutable Asian stereotypes."
It sounded to me like Dan Miller had a drug problem but I'm told he's
a hard worker who gets into the office early and demonstrates no signs
of drug abuse.
Here's one nugget: Dan Miller's asked AVN employees (when they've sought
him out) to go back to their office and IM him when they have questions.
Dan Miller is not a people person. He's an introvert. "He's the
opposite of a gonzo journalist," says one industry player.
I've rarely heard people talk about Dan Miller. I've never met anyone
with strong feelings about him.
I had a friend who kept asking me Sunday and Monday, "Why wasn't
Ramone at the Playboy party? Ramone goes to all the big parties. He must
be on his way out of AVN."
Saturday night at the Playboy mansion, AVNers were tight-lipped when
asked about Ramone.
It reminds me of the AVN demise of Heidi
Joy Pike.
The story that Paul Fishbein and company give to their friends about
this is that the Emily Evermoore, Kami Andrews, Jenna Presley rumors did
in Mike Ramone. There's more juicy stuff to this story but I don't have
it yet.
Dan Miller is tight with Wicked Pictures. I believe they threw him a
birthday party.
Why Dan Miller to run AVN? This is not about Dan and his journalistic
and leadership skills. This is about the demise of Mike Ramone aka Lord
Master Damien.
Since Gene
Ross, AVN's
leaders Darren Roberts and Paul Fishbein have probably not wanted to keep
anyone around too long in case they get to know too much about how
the business works. The rumors about Ramone were probably a good excuse
to move Mike out.
AVN Editors over the years have been larger-than-life characters such
as Gene Ross, Bryn
Pryor, Tim
Connelly and Mike Ramone. By comparison, Dan Miller seems colorless.
Dec. 19 is a slow news day so I ask around about this story.
One source laughs when he picks up the phone. He knows why I'm calling.
"Dan Miller seems to be devoid of arrogance and ego," says
the industry player. "He strikes me as somebody who wants to be a
journalist and bring journalistic standards to AVN. I don't see him using
his position for sexual favors... I don't see him abusing his power."
"Dan Miller's stories are not about him. He's stayed below the radar."
"He doesn't have an obstrusive personality. He strikes me as a guy
who's interested."
Publicist Scott Hoover emails: "Luke- I just read your article on
Dan Miller taking over Editor-in-Chief duties at AVN - Congratulations
Dan! He was the first person at AVN that I had any contact with when I
started in adult PR 5 years ago, and has always been gracious with his
time and extremely professional."
Even though this is the biggest story of the day, I'm struck by how little
it matters. It's not going to affect how anybody does business or how
anybody buys porn. On the one hand, AVN is bigger than ever, and this
one personnel change is not going to make much of a difference in its
bureaucracy and product. On the other hand, there are so many sources
of information on porn that AVN does not matter as much as it once did.
Dan Miller is an organization man. He's not going to rock the boat.
I Am Missing The Big Story About AVN's New Editor-In-Chief
Dan Miller
Please Email Luke the juicy
scoop.
James DiGiorgio emails: "Sorry, Lukey. No Scoop. But I will say
this: I've known Dan a few years and he's a good guy, a hard-working guy,
and a straight-up guy. Congratulations."
Jon emails:
Dan Miller ran avn.com better than anyone. His lateral move was based
on three important facts- He is the best man for the job, he is next
in line to replace Ramone, and Ramone f---ed up and made AVN look bad.
There is no gossip or juicy story and anyone that thinks that says have
the goods on this guy is flat out full of s---. In fact it will be fun
watching anyone try and dig up s---. He is truly an honest guy which
is very scary for everyone in this business. Maybe the awards will actually
be interesting instead of predictable this year.
Say It Ain't So, Dan
A source writes:
Ah Luke I'm glad you posted this. I always thought Dan was quiet, thoughtful
and professional until…..
A couple years back, Miller was busted by Fishbein for backdooring
DVDs from AVN. AVN gets thousands of DVDs sent to them from companies
for review, so Dan, and his partner in crime Lewis Adams currently of
Damaged Pictures, would steal these DVDs out the back door right under
Heidi, Paul and Mike Ramone's noses. The criminal twosome then whored
the pieces out for $2 or $3 to various purchasers in the Valley.
Remember, Dan was BUSTED by Fishbein, but was allowed to stay on, for
what reasons I don't know. This just speaks to the culture of corruption
at AVN. I'm guessing Dan knows too much about AVN's shady business practices
to even get fired after getting caught stealing.
Think this is bulls---? Why don't you ask Fishbein, Luke? If Fishbein
denies this, he's an even bigger weasel than I thought.
Whenever I ask Fishbein anything these days, he just tells me he won't
talk to me.
Lewis Adams replies:
When did I buy movies from Dan Miller? And if this really did happen,
don’t you think Dan would have been fired. When you listen to pieces
of s--- without asking the person involved you’re no better then they
are. (You know I know who sent you this crap.) And no. I did not buy
movies off of Dan Miller.
Stuart Wall from Smash Pictures emails:
Luke: You can use my name and print this word for word, since your
"Source" article was not written by myself Stuart Wall-Smash Pictures
nor anybody I know.
I just received a phone call from Lewis Adams threatening that he's
on his way over here. It's funny when one assumes something. Lewis must
have a dirty conscience from his past days working here.
I wish Dan Miller the best in his new position and will end this in
those words. I've never had problems with Dan Miller and am sure he'll
do a great job as Editor.
Tina emails:
Luke, I would like to point out that the accusation regarding Dan Miller
"back door-in" product is completely and absolutely false. The truth
is that Heidi "Icon" Pike was in a power play with Mr. Miller behind
closed doors and as a result she accused him of being involved with
something that she could not prove. Her attempt at sabotage was futile
and obvious resulting in many discussions within the halls of AVN.
Dan Miller is know in the industry for being a stand up guy, and someone
who won't take payoffs or play the "game". I think Paul's choice was
not only wise but restores alot of the credibility that was lost in
the whirlwind of Ramone and "industry Icon" Pike. Paul is paying attention
to his magazine and I'm glad he won't be making another Tim Conely mistake.
Miller is quiet and calm, but make no mistakes about it I have seen
him assert himself and he will take this horse by the reins. I think
everyone is happy and relieved as well as supportive because he really
is a good guy.
Mark Kernes emails me: "Thanks for reminding us all that you haven’t
stopped being a s---head."
Howard Levine, super-salesman, emails:
As you know I very rarely , if ever comment on lukeisback, but this
time I can't help myself.
After reading about accusations levied against Dan Miller, all I can
say is Dan Miller is one of the most professional guys in this business.
If being honest and humble is considered a fault, than he is guilty.
I am so glad Dan was promoted to the editor in chief, because number
one, he deserves it. Number two, he is and always has been extremely
fair to everyone. Number three, he is truly a gentleman.
This is a vast improvement for AVN and one that will surely keep them
in the right direction, which is where they always have been. Congrats
to Paul for making an excellent choice. I wish Dan all the best in the
world, a really good guy.
The views and opinions are my own and I am speaking on my behalf only,
no one elses.
AVN Changing Course?
Mike South writes:
I sense that AVN might be in the process of changing it's course. AVN
has been under fire for a while for promoting misogynistic fare over
good clean fun, for several years now aggressive and abusive titles
have dominated its editors choices, particularly in the gonzo arena.
I look for this to change. I think AVN as well as the market has become
bored with train wrecks and will use it's influence to push the industry
back towards quality product without the assaults.
Den of CAVR.com writes:
I have been working on New Year editorial that goes into analysis of
AVN's Editor's Choice winners for 2006. The best chance a DVD has of
making AVN Editor's Choice is if it has choking, being mean to the ladies
and reviewed by Mike Ramone. No wonder the Industry is hurting. I hope
you are correct that the 'Industry Leader' can get back to promoting
good Adult Movies. My thanks to Mr. Paul Fishbein for a great start
to 2007.
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