ALIBABA AND 40 OR SO MORE THIEVES?

Is Chinese giant Alibaba in the process of acquiring Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter? Some insiders believe such a purchase is now part of the company's plan (reported by the bible, among others, at year's end) to invest $7.2 billion in media acquisitions over the next few years. What this would mean for Janice Min, John Amato and team—and their breathless coverage of rock-star sweater vests—remains uncertain, although insiders report that Amato has learned to say, “Jack Ma, you’re my daddy” in both Mandarin and Cantonese.