XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX FRI JULY 27, 2001 10:08:21 ET XXXXX

DIRECTOR BURTON THREATENS VIOLENCE AGAINST DRUDGE

Hollywood Director Tim Burton on Thursday threatened violence against DRUDGE REPORT editor Matt Drudge after he revealed how Burton turns beloved American President Abraham Lincoln into an Ape in his new shock movie!

"I'd like to take that hat of his and set it on fire on his head!" Burton said of Drudge.

Facing mixed reviews for his $100 million-plus FOX fuss film PLANET OF THE APES, and coming down off marathon editing sessions and last minute production tweaks, Burton declared Drudge is why the "earth is doomed".

"People say I'm dark. Drudge is as dark as it comes," Burton added.

Burton's threat of violence, published in newspapers throughout the United States and Canada on Friday, sparked dozens of deaths threats to the DRUDGE REPORT.

"Burton is right -- you should be set on fire! I am going to spray you with acid next time you are in public!" claimed one e-mail.

Drudge first revealed how Burton's turning of Honest Abe into Hairy Ape caused immediate controversy at a sneak screening in New York last weekend.

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2001