HE DIDN'T LAY AN EGG: If the future of magazines is uncertain, at least Maxim executive editor Dan Bova has the movies. "Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead," cowritten by Bova, wouldn't seem to have mass appeal, but in a deft torturing of the numbers, a spokesman for the film pointed out that "over the weekend the film made $10,700 on one screen [at Village East Cinema], giving it the highest per screen average in NYC (highest in the nation was 'Iron Man' with $12,400)." The New York Times was enthusiastic about the movie: "Within the context of its genre — the satirical sexploitation zombie chicken gross-out musical extravaganza — it is just about as perfect as a film predicated on the joys of projectile vomiting and explosive diarrhea can be," and New York magazine made it a critic's pick. "Poultrygeist" will soon screen in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, said Bova, who was briefly editor in chief of now-defunct brother magazine Stuff. Has Alpha Media head Kent Brownridge seen the film? "I may have sent him a screener but I'm not sure if he's gotten around to watching it yet," said Bova diplomatically.

— Irin Carmon

MONEY SHOTS: Time Inc. is still trimming head count at some of its titles, this time Fortune. Managing editor Andy Serwer sent a memo to staffers Monday morning asking for volunteers among its senior writers, writers and writer/reporters to take severance packages. Sources close to the magazine said that up to 15 people could be eliminated, but a specific number was not confirmed by the magazine's spokeswoman. Employees have until May 27 to decide whether to take a buyout. Time Inc. is also said to be trimming staff at the Fortune Group's business library, which could eliminate up to five jobs.

— S.D.S.