Trials and Tribune-ations continue. Lead bidders may pass on a deal

Holy Crap, is there anyone who wants to buy Tribune and get this frigging story out of the headlines. Wait who are we kidding? If and when Tribune is sold off to some white knight, the "Sold" story will be bigger than the "No one wants Tribune" story. But we're not sure if the "Sold" story will come anytime soon, because the time has come and gone After a painstaking, closely watched process that has stretched for almost four months, the auction for Tribune Co. appears to be fizzling. Offers are due Wednesday at 5 p.m. Central time, but as of Tuesday night few, if any, of the original suitors seemed intent on making a firm bid. A source familiar with the situation said the private-equity group that appeared to be the lead horse--Chicago's Madison Dearborn Partners, New York's Apollo Management and Rhode Island's Providence Equity Partners--might not follow through on a bid. UPDATE: Tribune Deadline Nears With No Sign of Strong Bid [E&P]