Also...You're Fired!

By Jeffrey Ressner

Michael Eisner is in the midst of trying to fend off a fierce campaign to oust him as Disney CEO. Not the best time for an old letter to emerge that Eisner wrote to former superagent Michael Ovitz, who spent an ill-fated 14 months as Disney president. It surfaced as a result of a shareholder lawsuit challenging Ovitz's $140 million severance package. Hollywood game: Who comes off worse, Eisner or Ovitz? --By Jeffrey Ressner

AN AGENT OUT OF WATER Eisner felt that his president never took to the job. But why was he so surprised? Hollywood is a small town, and Ovitz's style is legendary.

I was frustrated because you wouldn't take anything and follow through. You seemed to be agenting not operating...You did not seem to want to get into the details and make things work.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? And lots of those phone conversations were with reporters. Eisner also complained that Ovitz tried to manipulate the media--this from one of the slickest handlers of the press in Hollywood.

I tried to talk to you but never could get connected. Even on the phone, I could not get your attention. The phone was the most important thing in your life.

CORPORATE PERKS Disney later claimed no wrongdoing had occurred. But unsealed audits show that concerns were also raised about Ovitz's expensing of high-priced meals, gifts--and even a subscription to Playboy.

What do you think our executives think when you object to paying all the costs for [your daughter's] Bat Mitzvah at the House of Blues, an operation owned partly by Disney?

HEY, BIG SPENDER Ovitz racked up $6.3 million in "business expenses," other documents show, including $2 million for office remodeling, $6,100 for a home X-ray machine and $812 for breakfast with the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Michael, mostly a leader of a public company has to lead by example. It is in the little things. Your number of secretaries, the out-of-control renovation of your office, your attitude to costs.