Mel Gibson Explains "A**hole" Tirade: "I Have a Short Fuse"
Credit: BERTRAND LANGLOIS/AFP/Getty Images
Mel Gibson isn't denying that he muttered "a**hole" under his breath during a testy interview with Chicago entertainment reporter Dean Richards -- but his vulgar outburst wasn't directed at Richards.
On Wednesday, Gibson, 54, sent a text message to journalist Sam Rubin of KTLA, explaining that the "*a**hole" in question was his publicist. During the TV interview, the actor's rep was "making faces" at him off-camera. The Edge of Darkness star didn't realize he was still on camera when he tossed off the insult to his colleague.
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During a Wednesday appearance on French TV show Le Grand Journal, Gibson smiled when a reporter asked if he came prepared with "French curse words for French journalists."
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"No," he replied jovially. "It usually comes out in English if I'm angry. I have a short fuse. I'm trying to work on it."
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During his talked-about Friday appearance on WGN-TV, Gibson seemed to get annoyed when Richards asked if the public might perceive him differently "after all that's been in the news," referring to Gibson's drunken anti-semitic rant during a 2006 DUI bust.
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"That's almost four years ago, dude," Gibson snapped at the time. "I've done all the necessary mea culpas. Let's move on."
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12Dear all who are outraged and concerned: Allot me to say, in response to the 4 year old rant that has some calling the names BIGOT and NAZI, I DON"T THINK ANY OF THAT! I WAS DRUNK. People ask, Where did this come from? Honestly, I can't say. I can say the way people treated the Passion of Christ often seemed bigoted.... half of Hollywood getting snarky. In a place you used to consider your home, this can be difficult. The "ass hole" comment had nothing to do with race, or belief. It has to do with harassment. I have a short fuse and at times with good reason. If you were in my shoes, perhaps you'd understand. None the less, I'm trying to work on it. As far as the tapes go, well, I hope people out there are glad we aren't all recorded. When you realize that your "new life" is just that of a old fool with a gold digger, well, it hits hard. Speacially when she takes your child away. Not that it justifies going nuts or warrants that kind of behavior. It's a damn hard world when the half your fans turn their back on you over a drunken tirade. When your second attempt at life crumbles, it can be a pretty scary melt down.
With all due respect "Me," please save your conspiracy theory for Glenn Beck. Dean Richards has always been known as a professional, fair and respected broadcaster in Chicago. Asking Mel Gibson during an interview for his first movie since his incredibly offensive remarks that sidelined his career how he thinks the public now perceives him is a perfectly legitimate question that any interviewer should've asked. Dean even told Gibson's PR people ahead of time that he would do so. I don't believe the interview was supposed to be just a commercial for the movie. It was Gibson that forced Dean to detail the incidents when he lied (again) by acting as though he didn't know what Dean was referring to. And based on Gibson's condescending response during the interview and name-calling after, you'd have to be headless to not realize that Gibson either doesn't realize the magnitude of his actions that sidelined him or that he just couldn't care less. If he did, he would've simply said something like, I screwed up big time and I hope the people I offended (and who spend their hard-earned dollars to continue making me a millionaire) realize that my regret is truly sincere and that they see my movie. After seeing the entire unedited interview (not just the portion posted on your blog) all I see is a man who continues to think disparagingly of Jews, women and gays.
Steve-- You start off by stating how "honest" Mel Gibson is. It's kind of ironic because the rest of your post you hide behind your words and aren't being very honest. Why don't you just say (er, I mean write) what your trying to imply. Go out on a limb and write what you really want to write--that the people you mention are Jewish. Coward. As far as bring this all up. What has he done lately. Wouldn't a good reporter ask about what someone has done lastly, especially if it were controversial.
Wow, I didn't realize that US Magazine was so popular with the Neo-nazi crowd. Yes, Steve, it's the Jews who are controlling the banks and are starting all the wars (all the wars? Really? Jews are being blamed for that, too?). You and Mel should get together and remake Schindler's List as a comedy. D@@chebag.
Appears Mel's estrogen level may be a little high and he should seriously consider testosterone replacement therapy.
I don't believe the "story" that Mel didn't call the reporter an A**hole - and I believe the reporter DESERVED it. Come on - the incident the reporter was hell-bent on discussing happened several years ago. Get over it and stop beating the dead horse.
Mel Gibson is a rare honest guy in Hollywood. The neocons and international financiers are responsible for all the wars and deceit in this world. Doglous Feith, Richard Perle, Wolfowitz, Robert Kagan, Bill Kristol, Michael Ledeen, who are these people? Alan Greenspan, Ben Bernanke, Fred Mishkin, Blankfein, Rahm Emmanuel, who are these people? Who are they?
No comment!
hmmm are Hollywood's elite forboden from cursing??? I don't think so, this is still America...as for the anti-semitic remarks...yes they were wrong, but 4 years later...talk about kicking a dead issue...move one already!
Here in Chicago the reporter is known to only favor very liberal celebs and their work. This morning he claimed he was in the right to ask Mel about his past because he is a "reporter". He is nothing but a Hollywood gossip site wannabe!
the reporter was an a--hole--he got exactly what he was looking for
I love Mel, I mean nobody is perfect and at least he tries to work on his imperfections. Much better than most people in Hollywood that is messed up and dont even try to improve it.