Black Friday (Alternate Head: Pretzel Logic)

Earlier in the week, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker--collectively known as Steely Dan, duh--posted to their Web site a missive addressed to Luke Wilson but aimed at bro Owen accusing the latter of being an accessory to plagiarism. Specifically, the Dan'ers insisted Owen, by appearing as the title character in...

By Robert Wilonsky

July 28, 2006

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Earlier in the week, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker--collectively known as Steely Dan, duh--posted to their Web site a missive addressed to Luke Wilson but aimed at bro Owen accusing the latter of being an accessory to plagiarism. Specifically, the Dan'ers insisted Owen, by appearing as the title character in the couch-crashing "comedy" You, Me and Dupree, ripped off the band's song "Cousin Dupree," which was "kind of uncool," far as they were concerned. Well, the Associated Press is reporting in a story that just moved seconds ago that Owen is denying the allegations. (Keep in mind, everybody's promoting something here: Steely Dan, a tour; Owen, a movie. Ain't exactly the Pentagon Papers here.) Here's what Owen has to say through his spokesperson, Ina Treciokas, whose name sounds as real as the accusations being tossed about by three dry guys for whom everything's a joke.

"I have never heard the song 'Cousin Dupree' and I don't even know who this gentleman, Mr. Steely Dan, is. I hope this helps to clear things up and I can get back to concentrating on my new movie, HEY 19."

Gotta be better than You, Me and Dupree. --Robert Wilonsky

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