A Chicago reporter asked Mel Gibson if he felt like he was a better person than he was four or five years ago and Mel answered the question loud and clear – by calling the guy an a**hole when he thought he was off camera. Mel said at first “I think I’m the same person I always was” and added something about how time changes people. When reporter Dean Richards pressed a little and asked “Do you think the public will perceive you any differently after all that’s been in the news about you?” Mel rolled his eyes and asked “What are you referring to specifically?”
Richards then explained the obvious, saying “Referring to the drinking problems, referring to what’s been called the anti-semitic rant…. you know what I’m talking about.”
Gibson got defensive and arrogant and said “That’s almost four years ago, dude. I’ve moved on I guess you haven’t.”
Richards didn’t back down and calmly asked “I’m just wondering if you think the public has moved on and will perceive you in the same light.”
“Well I certainly hope so. It is a while back. I’ve done all the necessary mea culpas. So, uh, let’s move on, dude. Come on.”
Then Richards gave a plug to Edge of Darkness and thanked Gibson, who said “bye” and then promptly added “a**hole” to the sentiment.
This isn’t the first time that Gibson has utterly failed to make it seem like he’s changed at all. He told Hello! Magazine (in what may have been a press conference) that he failed to see why it was a big deal. “So what’s the problem? It’s four years ago. Do I need to apologize again?”
No, Mel, all you have to do is memorize a humble-sounding response to inevitable questions about your DUI and anti-semitic statements. Something along the lines of “It’s regrettable, I wish it never happened, I’m in recovery now, I hope the public can see past that,” etc. Gibson is an actor and he should be able to act like he’s contrite and wants to change even if he isn’t. Instead, he’s messing up his minor comeback after a seven year hiatus by reminding us why he fell out of favor in the first place.
Being Jewish myself, I find this man offensive. I’ve known Mel Gibson was anti-semetic long before the drunken rant a few years back and have chosen to do the only thing I can, which is not put any money into his pocket. He is free to say and believe whatever he wants but I am not obligated to support that in any way, shape or form.
yup, still an a-hole.
your description of what he SHOULD have said was spot on. but the whole “what’s the big deal?” crap just perpetuates that perception that he HASN’T changed, and that he never thought it was that big of a deal to begin with.
I’m not suprised, Mel Gibson is and has always been an arrogant prick.
Can you please stop posting things about him and Charlie Sheen? They need to be boycotted. There are funnier celebs to make fun of.
Oh yea Mel, the reporter is the a-hole! It is totally not you. Oh wait… What a pathetic old bitter angry fool he is.
i’m with lambchops. boycott this arrogrant fuck and charlie sheen too.
Oy Vey.
This guy is only a couple of whiskey shots shy of becoming totally unhinged. Again.
Sorry, but if ever anyone ever looked like an an alkie, you’d have to say Mel does.
His self-pity, anger, and bitterness are right out there, bubbling up to the surface with any slight provocation.
Man up. Get a grip. Go back to your wife!! Have some manners.
I used to watch anything and everything that Mel did, but the rampage he went on 4 years ago changed how I look at him. I’ll continue to drive on past the theatre, and will change the channel when his new movie is finally on television. Mel, you’ve permanently lost a fan. You may have “moved past” what you did, but I’m not so easily fooled.
OMG that was so funny!!!! Talk about asshole!!
I agree I will never contribute to his wallet again I am forever boycotting Mel!!!!!!
It was only a matter of time. Mel, if the public hasn’t moved on it may have something to do with the total lack of sincerity in your apology and not owning up to any responsibility for yourself in the first place. Isn’t that one of the 12 steps?
Look, even one of Oksana’s implants is trying to make a break for it and escape from this couple!
I bet whoever made his new movie is REALLY regretting hiring him. I’d be surprised if we see him on screen anymore after this.
The header should have read “Mel Gibson IS arrogant and defensive…”
Mel seemed like he was tweeking
Actually, Dean Richards is an asshole, one of those liberal types constantly trying to guilt people he perceives as right wing. Mel’s movie is very good and he was just calling a spade a spade.
I agree with Joe, he looked like he was strung out on something, and the big snort he does at the end before saying asshole doesn’t help. Maybe making sure all his coke went up?
Man, this guy is never gonna be able to pull his head out of his ass! He COULD be great again…possibly!
Not a fan of Mel anymore. He should have kept his wacky beliefs to himself. He seems like a real douche. claims to be super religious but then divorces his wife and has baby out of wedlock. he is a joke.
I remeber when a co-worker had a big crush on Mel Gibson, about 20 years ago. She papered her cubicle with his pictures, and referred to him often in conversation.YUKKK.
I lost her as friend when I remarked that I found him “sweaty-looking, greasy, and thick necked”.
I agree that Mel was messed up, and messed up by his disrespect to Jews and the female policewoman. In trying to look at this objectively: what he did was reprehensible, and he is responsible for his inebriated state, therefore responsible for what he said. On the other hand, he admitted that he was responsible for his drunkenness and what he said, and he apologized abjectly not once, but several times, taking full responsibility. He even asked the Jewish community “what can I do to make amends to you?” Mel remained calm during this interview, and he asked that this be left in the past where it belongs. It would not belong in the past if he had not taken responsibility for it as he did. But everyone is waiting to bait him and jump on everything he does. I think his comment was mild. He did not “loose it”. Simplified, the reporter said “look what you did in the past that was so shocking!” “And Mel responded, yes, I’ve already acknowledged that. What more can I do?” Celebitchy suggests what he could say that would be more acceptable: he’s already said it, many times. I think it’s a valid point that once someone has apologized, sincerely, not once but several times, it is time to let it go.
There are plenty of other people out there offending and not apologizing. He’s done his time. There is redemption for those who acknowledge and apologize and make reparation. One of the ways to make amends is to change one’s behavior, which he has done. It would be right not to believe him if he had continued in his drunken offensiveness, but he did not. He went back to AA and got back on the wagon. I think most people know someone who has a drinking problem. It is a disease. I also know plenty of people who are still in their disease and have no intentions of trying to get help or making amends for the harm they have done. I don’t agree with treating him like a man who hasn’t. It is as though he never apologized.
Here is part of his apology:
I’m not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one-on-one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing.
“I have begun an ongoing program of recovery and what I am now realizing is that I cannot do it alone. I am in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display, and I am asking the Jewish community, whom I have personally offended, to help me on my journey through recovery.
The full apology is at the end. I don’t see anything makeshift or half-hearted about this apology. Has everyone read it? Or are we all following the crowd of public opinion as most people do. It is the tenants of most faiths to forgive, and he asked for forgiveness long ago, in words and actions. He is right to say, what was lacking in my apology? I think nothing.
What has been written about his private and non-publicized interventions on the behalf of people in Hollywood to help them get straight? He has helped Robert Downey Jr. in his bid for sobriety, paying for the insurance so he could make his first come-back film. He has gone out of his way to try and help Courtney Love and Britney Spears and many others.
I think people need to look to themselves and thank God that they didn’t mess up that badly and that publicly, and then ask themselves if they would have been able to man up that well after messing up that badly. Forgive.
Mel‘s Apology
“There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark. I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI charge.
“I am a public person, and when I say something, either articulated and thought out, or blurted out in a moment of insanity, my words carry weight in the public arena. As a result, I must assume personal responsibility for my words and apologize directly to those who have been hurt and offended by those words.
“The tenets of what I profess to believe necessitate that I exercise charity and tolerance as a way of life. Every human being is God’s child, and if I wish to honor my God I have to honor his children. But please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith.
“I’m not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one-on-one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing.
“I have begun an ongoing program of recovery and what I am now realizing is that I cannot do it alone. I am in the process of understanding where those vicious words came from during that drunken display, and I am asking the Jewish community, whom I have personally offended, to help me on my journey through recovery.
“Again, I am reaching out to the Jewish community for its help. I know there will be many in that community who will want nothing to do with me, and that would be understandable. But I pray that that door is not forever closed.
“This is not about a film. Nor is it about artistic license. This is about real life and recognizing the consequences hurtful words can have. It’s about existing in harmony in a world that seems to have gone mad.”
“edge of darkness” is a nice movie (not boring ) and he’s credible: it’s all i ask for a movie
evidently mel’s father is a holocaust denier. the apple doesn’t fall far from the crazy tree.
I actually find it pretty offensive that he implies we should all have “moved on” by now because he has…because it’s up to him when the victims of his rant should be over it?
He should keep apologizing and showing remorse (or pretending to) for as long as people keep asking him about it. After all, if he truly repents of his actions, then he should continue to be remorseful for the rest of his life, and should be able to demonstrate that when necessary. Four years is not long. And clearly he hasn’t changed that much.
Agree with CPM. The man has apologized. Shall we continue stringing him up? Geez. When men like Charlie Sheen are still getting pats on the back for stupid sitcoms despite the boozing, wh0ring, etc.
Leave Mel alone!!!!!!! <— LOL
I’m not jewish and although there are some in the room who might call me sugarXXX, I would probably beg to differ. So while I was not personally abused by this racist, I am horrified that he continues to make money as an entertainer.
Frankly, Tom Cruise is less offensive to me than Gibson.
And he’s bat-shixx crazy to boot. I keep praying his lure will decline like Cruise’ draw has over the years.
You know why he calls a reporter an a**hole? Because Mel likely sees him as beneath him, therefore giving him the freedom to insult him.
This reminded me of an article I read about Prince Rainier when he was at a dinner party in the U.S., and he slapped a waiter on the face because the waiter behaved “disrespectfully” towards his son.
And then Chelsea Clinton, whom I thought was really sweet, went ape and really nailed some girl verbally, because the idiot made some comment about her father and Lewinsky. That’s when I realized that Chelsea looked upon those she was speaking to as inferiors. You don’t scold people you respect or see as your equals. Scolding is instinctively a behavior reserved for “authority” or in a higher position.
If someone insulted you at a meeting or gathering or even an interview, and their question was clearly out of place, would you insult that person back or would you just stay quiet and change the subject? Would you slap a waiter for giving bad service? Would you scold and humiliate someone who had the bad taste of asking you a stupid question in front a seminar? And the only reason you would do it, is because you likely see them as beneath you and this gives you the freedom to insult them and scold them.
Mel Gibson has to stop reacting, because it’s not helping his image. You scold your child, you don’t scold another adult. I thought that journalist was pushing his buttons, but I think Kaiser’s response was a great idea!
Ha! Go tell them off, whateves. I’m sure there has been worse said off camera before too.
@lastwordlinda…I agree with you, Mel IS arrogant and defensive! He’s a megalomaniac and control freak who loses his temper when he doesn’t get his way. It seems like a lot of people – his family, business associates, journalists – tiptoe around him. He’s a ticking time bomb!
@therese…I’m no expert on addiction, but I know that the first step towards recovery is admitting that you have a problem. My impression is that Mel thinks that WE have a problem…we’re judgemental, we refuse to forget and move on, etc. After the 2006 incident he could’ve really done some serious self examination. He could’ve gotten therapy, gone into alcohol and sex rehab and marriage counseling. Apparently he did none of that. AA is good for some people, but I think Mel needs a lot more help. To make matters worse, he’s currently being manipulated by a female Rasputin. If or when he ever realizes how Oksana’s played him, watch out!
I can’t decide whether I loathe or feel sorry for Mel. He was once my favorite actor, and it’s sad to see how he’s messed up his personal life. I’m one of his former fans that’s boycotting everything he does, and judging by EoD’s lukewarm box office results there are a lot of people who agree with me!
snore. Who cares?
Dean Richards was doing his job! Mr. Richards was polite, professional and did not “brow beat” Mel Gibson.
The public arena is a “fairly level” playing field. Mel Gibson has been a public figure for about 30 years and has made a tremendous fortune due to the public’s patronage. He’s suppose to be an actor. Competently handling the press should be second nature to him by now. UNLESS HE CAN DO A MUCH BETTER JOB HANDLING THE PRESS, HE SHOULD RETIRE! He only embarrassing himself, his family and the few people in the Entertainment industry who are still willing to take a chance on him.
If he’s really serious about making a “???COMEBACK???”, it’s time for him to MAN UP, GET IT TOGETHER AND PLAY THE GAME LIKE A WINNER, INSTEAD OF ACTING LIKE A “SELF-ABSORBED LOSER” WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HIS ENEMIES WANT TO SEE!
Go Mel Baby!
Frickin’ love Mel Gibson!
Good on him, keep up the great work Dude x
Mel Gibson has a point. How long is he supposed to pay for what happened years ago? –WTF?
@Uzi, totally agree with you 100% on everything you said, for Mel to have such double standards in his life, I read in one interview where he said he didn’t say half of the stuff in his rant, How would he know He was pissed.
The only reason Mel apologized for his rant WAS only to try and save what was left of his career, It was not at all genuine, I bet you anything the Movie Bosses got a PR person to script that, and all he had to do was a little acting.
I also bet you he has Been drinking again.
I only wish he could like Uzi said really turn his like around, get help, But I think this relationship has a lot of problems in it. And I feel this is a major contributing factor to Mel’s behavior as well.
Debbie
Just read on another site Were Mel’s PR Team have said the remark was made to his PR person who was pulling faces at him during the interview.
Nice try guys, What will be excuses B,C, D,E,…Z be.
Debbie
Still an azzhole.
Movie Bosses?
You think he gives a toss?
He is his own movie studio!
Passion Of The Christ brought in more money to a single individual (Mel) than any movie in history, close to the billion dollar mark. Do you know how many Catholics there are in the world? Most of them saw that movie.
Love Mel he rocks!
We don’t pay attention to the Jewish owned media or movie studios, the slurrs against this guy mean sh*t. He is who he is, he saays it how it is, he is honest, he owes nobody anything and he rocks it. Go Mel, Australia loves your guts mate!!!
Hey Mel is a jerk, a racist and anti-Semetic. There’s no doubt about it, but should this really be brought up every time he’s interviewed? I’m not condoning any of his actions but there really is nothing good that can come of it. It’s not like he’s going to say something that he hasn’t said before, so I really don’t see the point of the interviewer bringing it up.
Thanks for the great post! One of the best post I have seen in a long time.
@ You Go Girl: rupert murdoch is that you?
to mags…
that poster also believes that Prez Obama is a “muslim who was born in indonesia”.
so that’ll give you a little bit of insight into his/her thinking.
Anti-Semetic?
Whatever….this is a term that is brought up, just to shut conversation down. Whenever anybody talks about anything, that is factual. Mention Anti-Semitism and the conversation stops. We can see past that hypocricy.
Praise St. Angie, wow great memory (drive).
Rupert Murdoch? Don’t read his publications, all full of shit. Oh by the way, he’s a jew, just sayin!!!
Go Mel, we luv ya mate!
yep i saw the clip…..i also saw the other interview where he got angry asking the interviewer if he had a dog in the fight, leaning forward, defensively..so it wasn’t just one interview..with mel……he made those remarks and has displayed a character that is offensive and uncontrolled….when ever i have seen him give an interview, there is something not right… he could have answered differently, but again has made headlines of mad mel…so not everyone forgives him? as a public person he should know that, but he has continued to make other choices, that perpetuates who he really is that people are having a hard time swallowing…he has a posture of arrogance, and if any one challenges that, you must have a dog in the fight…we found out a lot of truth in 2008 about who he is, and never once did he open his mouth or behave in a manner that has changed what people think of him… any apologys for his behavior with his wife, his divorce? shows what kind of person to act the way he did..glad you moved on mel, sorry we can’t all meet your expectations, glad you moved on in your personal life, your real personnae is out …your character is showing…this is who he really is…
“this is a term that is brought up, just to shut conversation down.”
yeah, because there’s no such thing as anti-semitism in today’s world. and no racism, and no discrimination against women, and no child abuse, and no animal abuse.*
*PLEASE NOTE SARCASM
mel’s anti-semitism is well documented. if you choose to ignore it, I wouldn’t be surprised, since you ignore actual facts to perpetuate your BS claim about Mr. Obama.
and yes, I remember that comment, because it so far detached from the truth that it stuck with me.
try reality sometime, it’s kind of fun.
debbie….you said it just right…..
@uzi
you should try to get mrs.s. gibson to talk to you
i was just reading that you are a wrter
i see her all the time in my store. very classy gal
@kiki…I’ve always heard that Robyn Gibson is very classy, and also very private and not interested in fame, fortune and the Hollywood lifestyle. I doubt she’d talk to me or anyone else. Unfortunately I think Mel and his PR people take advantage of that, as they can “spin” their side of the story knowing that the public will never hear from Robyn and their children.
@uzi
and@kiki
i am pretty sure you are talking about the good looking shana gibson
she is not as cold as the rest of thm g’s
yeah,
she can be reached at
stoptheragenow@gmail.com
I have small comment for Mel:
I know you don’t believe in GOD but you must believe in Bubba because after you go to jail you’re going to hear Bubba say:”How Dare you go to sleep without suckling my dick, maybe you would like it better if I just wake-up with my dick in your rare end; you would like that better wouldn’t you”
You had it all but you didn’t have a shed of human decency. What comes arround goes arround:)
What’s the problem? The reporter is an arrogant cowardly f*uck… he just got called out…
oh, and the comments above are just another example that Mrs S Gibson, alias cobe, alias uzi, alias kiki, is an asshole promoting herself shamelessly at the expense of the guy who has financed her miserable fuc%ing life.