TMZ Emails

A couple of weeks ago I asked you all to email TMZ and politely demand that they release any information and photos they have received regarding Eli McCann. For 2 weeks you have been wondering what that was all about. Fine, I'll tell you.

Daniel had the idea a while back to start emailing TMZ some scandalous information about me to see how they would respond to getting a lead on someone who isn't actually a celebrity. We argued about whether or not they would even reply to such an email, and the next thing I knew, TMZ was receiving correspondence from the likes of Peter Hansen, June Snapple, and others.

The trick was to write the emails in a way that made it sound like TMZ should know who Eli McCann is. The following transpired:

From: Peter Hansen

To: TMZ

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Hey TMZ! I have access to Eli McCann and I am quite sure I could get you some incredibly scandalous photos. Where should I send them when I get them?

From: TMZ

To: Peter Hansen

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Hi Pete,

Thanks for contacting TMZ. Can we check out the material?

Diana

From: Peter Hansen

To: TMZ

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Diana,

Thanks for getting back to me. I actually have quite a few from over the weekend that I think you would be very interested in. I have also recently come into some incredibly shocking email correspondence between McCann and a number of others. Probably enough for you to do an entire show on him. I have attached one of the photos. It's Eli McCann modeling a robe of some sort. This picture was sent to a number of someone that I'm sure you would be very interested to hear about.

Please let me know how you would like to proceed.

Kind regards,

Pete

From: TMZ

To: Peter Hansen

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Hi Pete,

Can we get more info and view all of the photos?

Diana

From: Peter Hansen

To: TMZ

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Hi Diana!

What would you like to know specifically? Recently I discovered that he has a cat hoarding problem so I've been trying to get some shots of him with some of the cats. I've been able to get a few here and there. I'm just not really sure what you're looking for.

Pete

From: TMZ

To: Peter Hansen

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Pete,

I need you to send more photos so we can view them. Just send all that you have and we'll take a look at them.

From: Peter Hansen

To: TMZ

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Hi Diana,

I recently snapped the attached photo of Eli McCann with one of his cats. I'm not sure who the woman is in the shot.

One of the pieces of information I've recently come upon is that he is apparently in talks with The Amazing Race to join the show next season. This has been on the DL and in fact, most of the people at AR aren't even aware that this is happening. McCann himself has not discussed this with anyone. I have in my possession some proof of this.

I have also come across some newer photos but I haven't yet verified whether they are in fact Eli McCann. I will have them looked at and let you know, if you are interested.

How would you like to proceed? Would it be easier to chat over the phone or is email best for you?

Pete

From: TMZ

To: Peter Hansen

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Ok, do you have any others? Or is this it?

From: Peter Hansen

To: TMZ

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Diana,

I have attached a new photo of Eli McCann getting attacked by a cat. I'm sure you'll find it very interesting. Currently trying to get more information on his talks with The Amazing Race. Apparently nobody knows about this yet. Please respond to this email or I will have to start taking my photos and information elsewhere.

Pete

From: Peter Hansen

To: TMZ

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Hi Diana,

Haven't heard from you in a while. I guess you guys have probably heard about Eli McCann's cat blow-up over the weekend. Do you need photos of this? I can get some if you would like them.

Pete

From: TMZ

To: Peter Hansen

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Hi Peter,

Yes, can we view them?

Diana

From: Peter Hansen

To: TMZ

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Diana,

I'm sure you guys are all over what has happened this weekend with Eli McCann. I haven't seen you publish any of the photos I have sent you. Why are you sitting on this? You have my permission to use them if that's what you are waiting for. Also, I think I might be able to get Eli McCann to give TMZ an exclusive interview. He has literally never done this before so it's a pretty big deal. What do you want me to do?

Attached are a couple of new pictures I've taken of McCann in his home. I haven't yet been able to verify whether this is actually photo evidence of his relationship with Trixy Meowman. I will see what I can do!

Pete

From: June Snapple

To: TMZ

Subject: Eli McCann

Dear TMZ,

Just wondering whether TMZ is interested in doing something on Eli McCann, what with all the recent buzz. I have some photos of him and might have access to some information you may be interested in. Has TMZ been able to verify The Amazing Race rumors yet? I know it's been kept pretty under wraps.

June

From: TMZ

To: June Snapple

Subject: Eli McCann

Sounds good June! Thanks!

Diana

__________________________________________________

It was at this point that I asked you all to email TMZ. I don't know exactly how many ended up sending an email, but within about a day, a couple hundred of you BCC'd me on emails to Diana. And your emails were hysterical. You all took the "polite" request very seriously. Most of the emails said things like, 

Diana, I would like to politely request that you release all of the info you have on Eli McCann. The public has a right to know.

And,

Diana, as a public servant, it is your duty to publish photos you might have received of Eli McCann. Millions of people are eagerly waiting to find out what is going on with him.

In any event, this woman at TMZ got to work and found hundreds of emails in her inbox demanding information about some person who isn't even a celebrity.

__________________________________________________

From: TMZ

To: Peter Hansen

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Hi Peter,

On what message board/forum is my email address published? What is the best number to reach you at?

Diana

From: Peter Hansen

To: TMZ

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Hi Diana,

Great to hear from you! Message board? My number is [Jolyn's phone number].

Pete

From: Trixy Meowman

To: TMZ

Subject: Trixy's Photos

Dear TMZ,

I represent Trixy Meowman and it has recently come to our attention that TMZ is considering publishing incriminating photos of Trixy with Eli McCann. Trixy has recently completed shooting season one of Downton Tabby. When she heard about these photos getting leaked, she went on a tirade on her Twitter account. It is imperative that these images and this information regarding any alleged relationship with Eli McCann NOT be published. Trixy is willing to trade information for assurance that the photos will NOT be published. Trixy has also contacted the person who sent you the photos in order to cut off your source.

Grace Telly

Talent Scout

From: Peter Hansen

To: TMZ

Subject: Eli McCann Photos

Diana,

Never mind. Will you please not publish any of the photos? I got in way over my head here.

Pete

~It Just Gets Stranger