David Kronke: Mountin' Randy Quaid's case

So Randy Quaid wants more money because "Brokeback Mountain" made more money than expected? How long has he been in this industry, anyway? Has he never heard the term "sleeper hit?" Movies do sometimes surprise their creators and attract far more viewers than anyone expected.

If you haven't heard, the actor is suing the makers of "Brokeback Mountain" for something in the neighborhood of $10 million, claiming he was duped into appearing in the movie for very little pay, that he was told everyone was making financial sacrifices to get the film made. And now that it's a hit, he wants another payday. (If Defamer.com hadn't already made it, a "backend" joke would go right about here.)

Has his agent not explained to him that you make that kind of arrangement when you sign your contract, not retroactively? Did the star of "The Grubbs" give back the money he was paid when Fox decided to scrap it before it even aired or repay studios for movies that were box-office disappointments? Honest, I don't understand the thinking here.

That said, whoever pocketed BBM's payday could share the wealth. It's happened before.

OK, so there are petty lawsuits roiling over BBM and Crash (the producer kerfuffle). What's next for this year's Best Picture nominees? Joe McCarthy's estate seeking royalties from George Clooney for his performance in "Good Night, and Good Luck"?