Celebrity News

Sumner Redstone a fan of all-girl music group

Summer Redstone‘s hands-on involvement with an all-girl music group has some MTV executives miffed at their octogenarian boss.

Redstone, the 87-year-old Viacom honcho, has taken quite a liking to the Electric Barbellas, a scantily clad crew of six young singers he wants to make the subject of an MTV show, Peter Lauria writes on The Daily Beast.

The “famously frisky” Redstone reportedly has spent $500,000 “personally squiring the group around to record labels and on the pilot so far” — much to the chagrin of MTV CEO Judy McGrath, who is said to think the group is so bad that she’s willing to quit over the show.

“Redstone basically told McGrath that she has to do it,” a source told Lauria.

Sources at MTV, however, tell Page Six that it’s all much ado about nothing.

“Judy doesn’t report to Sumner; she reports to [Viacom CEO] Philippe [Dauman],” says one high-ranking insider. “They have not had substantive conversations about this group. It’s in the early stages of development. But its future is decided by the programming people — not Sumner.”

As for Redstone’s personal relationship with members of the Electric Barbellas, another source says, “It’s no surprise that he’s an old man who likes young girls. Anyone who follows him around knows that.”

A spokesman for Viacom told us: “Sumner saw some initial tape, thought the concept was great and that it could be great for MTV and was enthusiastic. He knows he’s not in programming and that he’s a bit north of the demo. He’s happy to leave the final call to others.”

A rep for MTV said, “Outside of some blog-manufactured drama, the only situation getting attention at MTV is the one coming back for the second season of the ‘Jersey Shore.’ “