In an interview, Walter F. Williams, Bethlehem's chairman, complained that rival producers had allowed pricing to collapse in an effort to gain market share.

"A lot of people were really upset," says one rival producer, who refused to speak for attribution.

Even after 25 years of total acceptance, rival producers - using stories and characters that appear to have been cloned from the Bond sagas - limp home miles behind the original.

Some rival producers expressed astonishment.

"We live in an age of controversy," says one rival independent producer.

Resident wizards, a rival producer had labeled them.

"He doesn't know how to produce a show," said one rival producer who nonetheless said he admired Mr. Drabinsky's nerve.

Since it's Hollywood, there are conspiracy theories about rival producers' spreading the rumors to damage the film's prospects.

If any rival producers from CBS or HBO are listening, here's one idea for a "real Orange County" show for next fall:

The real battle is between rival third-world producers competing in an open American market.