Anthony Pellicano and the Tale of the Tapes-- UPDATE!

UDPATE 5/22: The Pellicano trial has been delayed until February 27, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The trial was slated for August.

From 5/21: Hollywood has been waiting on pins and needles for years for the other shoe to drop with private investigator to the stars Anthony Pellicano, the larger-than-life detective with a penchant for tough talk and taping phone conversations. But even if today's New York Times recap of the current case file offers no real revelations about Pellicano, who is currently in jail awaiting trial (he has pleaded not guilty to charges of wiretapping and conspiracy) it sure makes a fascinating read (and listen--the NYTimes.com actually has MP3s of his taped conversations).

Industry observers are no doubt enjoying the dialogue in the dishy rehash of the private dick's involvement with former super agent Michael Ovitz and current Paramount chief Brad Grey (who initially became involved with Pellicano through his lawyer Bert Fields and later pitched a show with him to HBO). But the most entertaining taped quotes come from comedian Chris Rock who, while in the middle of a PR crisis back in 2001, seems to be doing material on the phone with Pellicano:

Mr. Rock feared that his rising stardom was being threatened by an accusation that an adulterous one-night tryst two and a half years earlier had not been consensual.

"I'm better off getting caught with needles in my arm, I really am," he fretted. "Needles with pictures: 'Here's Chris Rock shooting heroin.' Much better blow to the career."

"I'm not going to let it happen," Mr. Pellicano assured him. "Just stick with me, baby. I'll take care of it."

Mr. Pellicano read from the woman's police report, saying he was not supposed to have gotten a copy, and then confided that the police were not taking her seriously. (No charges were brought. Mr. Rock declined to comment for this article.)

Pellicano's case goes to trial this August.