OK, Now He's a Maverick

It was fronted on Drudge, so you've already seen it, but Tom Cruise's career nosedive is worth just a little more attention.

Paramount Pictures and actor Tom Cruise called an end to their 14-year production deal on Wednesday as the chairman of the studio's parent company took a parting shot at the movie star's off-screen behavior.

"As much as we like him personally, we thought it was wrong to renew his deal," Viacom Inc. Chairman Sumner Redstone told the Wall Street Journal in an interview posted online. "His recent conduct has not been acceptable to Paramount."

That's a hell of a statement - studios always come up with a cover story for things like this. They don't just come out and say "that honky's crazy."

And what's happening with South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who fought a pitched battle with cruise over their Scientology episode? Oh, they signed a deal with Paramount. Tom's Xenu-powered revenge has been limited to The Simpsons beating South Park in an Emmy upset.