The race is on! For the first time ever, all three networks are producing movies about the same subject. Need we tell anyone, it's the ongoing saga of the so-called Long Island Lolita, Amy Fisher. Here's how the productions stand at the moment:
ABC's "Beyond Control: The Amy Fisher Story," based on public record, court transcripts and press accounts, began production this week in Vancouver. It stars former child star Drew Barrymore, now 17, a year younger than Fisher. Anthony Denison ("Crime Story") will play Joey Buttafuoco, whom she says she had an affair with, which led her to what she says was an accidental shooting of Mrs. Buttafuoco, Mary Jo.
The film is scheduled to air during the current season.
Alyssa Milano, who played Tony Danza's stepdaughter in "Who's the Boss?" will play Fisher in the CBS movie "Casualty of Love," which also started production this week. Jack Scalia ("Lady Boss") has been cast as Buttafuoco. The CBS movie is being produced by TriStar TV, which acquired the rights to the story from the Buttafuocos. A TriStar spokesman said the studio paid "much less" than the reported $1 million for the rights. CBS won't say when the film is slated for.
The NBC movie -- "Treachery in the Suburbs" -- will star Noelle Parker ("Look Who's Talking Too") as Fisher and Ed Marinaro ("Sisters") as Buttafuoco. The film will be produced in conjunction with KLM Productions, which put up $60,000 of Fisher's $2 million bail money. No production start date has been announced. Word is NBC is aiming for a February air date.
Fisher is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 1.