It’s not exactly child rape, but illegally downloading movies is still illegal.  Which is why it was somewhat surprising that Foxnews.com columnist Roger Friedman, who wrote the Fox 411 column, publically discussed downloading the leaked Wolverine movie, despite the fact that Wolverine was made by 20th Century Fox, who share a parent company with Friedman’s employer.  In an article since removed, Friedman wrote:

“Yes, I’ve seen “X Men Origins: Wolverine.” It wasn’t at a screening, either. I found a work in progress print of it, 95 percent completed, on the internet last night. Let’s hope by now it’s gone.”

And…

“I did find the whole top 10 [movies in theaters], plus TV shows, commercials, videos, everything, all streaming away. It took really less than seconds to start playing it all right onto my computer. I could have downloaded all of it but really, who has the time or the room? Later tonight I may finally catch up with Paul Rudd in I Love You, Man. It’s so much easier than going out in the rain!”

Common sense would’ve told most people that this was a bad idea, but I can see how working for same company as Glenn Beck might sort of insulate you from common sense. As for the fallout, Nikki Finke initially claimed, based on an inside source, that Friedman, a columnist for 10+ years, had been fired (or “had been fired! :-)” as Friedman might write it).  News Corp later issued a statement saying Friedman had been “promptly terminated,” which Friedman denied, and Fox News won’t comment on. Meanwhile, HuffPo reports that Fox News Execs and Friedman are meeting to discuss the matter this morning.  The latest news is that a FilmDrunk inside source was able to obtain some video from that meeting.