Gibson Receives Standing Ovation on Leno

NewsMax.com ^ | 2/27/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Mel Gibson appeared on Jay Leno’s "Tonight Show" – and was greeted by the live audience with a prolonged standing ovation.

Gibson’s appearance on the top-rated late-night program came on the heels of new box office results showing that his new film, "The Passion of the Christ," may be one of the biggest hits of all time.

But box office success hasn’t stopped controversy from swirling around the religious epic.

"Some people thought it was a bad idea," Gibson told Leno about his desire to do the movie on Jesus’ death. The actor said anytime one touches upon politics or religion, that person runs the risk of touching a nerve.

"I didn’t expect to hit a main artery," Gibson said to chuckles from the audience.

Gibson said his film first germinated over a dozen years ago. He said he was unfazed about Hollywood’s criticism of his work.

He said that he discovered in Tinseltown that "you can get a shiv between the shoulder blades and it’s done with a smile."

Still, Gibson said he was shocked by the "pre-judgment and condemnation” which began over a year ago – before anyone had even seen the film.

He told America’s favorite comedian that he was surprised by the attacks against him; including the charge he was an anti-Semite.

"It’s wrong, it’s unconscionable,” he said.

Leno questioned Gibson about the film’s violence.

Gibson readily admitted the film is violent and deserved the R-rating it received. But he added that the violence was not "gratuitous” and, in his opinion, drew a different reaction from audiences who watch, for example, horror films.

Gibson said the film’s message is one of tolerance. He told Leno he chose actor James Caviezel to play Jesus because he projected both a childish innocence and masculinity – consistent with the Biblical Jesus.

Gibson’s decision to produce "Passion” may have earned him at least one fan in Hollywood.

"Thanks for the courage of your convictions,” Leno told Gibson as he concluded his interview.

[Petronski]

So much sorrow in Hollywood tonight:

Katzenbach and Geffen and Sullivan...oh my!

[rwfromkansas]

I wish I had seen this.

[Qwinn]

I watched it. It was great. I didn't notice any standing ovation (though my eyes were not glued to the screen either), but the crowd -was- definetly very supportive. The line about hitting a main artery was really well delivered and very funny, and the crowd loved it.

Overall, I think Mel has gained a thousand times more fans in the real world than he's lost in Tinseltown.

Qwinn

[Mr. Mojo]

Thankfully Gibson has enough power in that town to keep those schmucks from messing up his career.

[Jerry Attrick]

Dang it....now I'm gonna have to stay up and watch. Sheesh, I'm never gonna get any sleep. :)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I can still catch it!

[Reactionary]

Poor little liberals. The cultural divide has just smacked them in their stupid heads and they're not sure how to react.

After all, they've made the case that "freedom of speech" means saturating the culture with plebeian garbage for decades, so it's difficult for them to call for censorship. Instead, they rely on their usual egalitarian morality and try to paint Gibson and as anti-Semite or a retrograde lunatic.

Of course, the people love Gibson and love this movie. They're shocked that their garbage isn't what it used to be.

[Kryptonite]

Thanks to Mel for the courage of his convictions.

[JohnHuang2]

BUMP!

[Ronzo]

"Thanks for the courage of your convictions,” Leno told Gibson as he concluded his interview.

I'll BUMP to that!

[nutmeg]

Hope you tuned in long enough to catch this 'standing O' for Mel! Even I was surprised how incredibly well Mel was received from the usually left-leaning 'Tonight Show' audience.

[ambrose]

What time was he on? I'm from the Left Coast and don't want to be bothered with the opening act nonsense. Thanks.

[rwfromkansas]

Spiffy.

[nutmeg]

He told Leno he chose actor James Caviezel to play Jesus because he projected both a childish innocence and masculinity – consistent with the Biblical Jesus.

I think Mel actually said "child-like" innocence...

[Travis McGee]

I was thinking exactly the same thing! LOL.

[Bonaparte]

"Katzenbach and Geffen and Sullivan..."

They responded just like any other vampire would, when confronted with the cross.

[longtermmemmory]

...and was greeted by the live audience with a prolonged standing ovation.


Priceless!!!

[ClancyJ]

I am so proud of Mel.

God's work is often done by the totally unexpected persons. Who would ever have thought Mel would be the instrument to bring this profound movie to the public?

[nutmeg]

I think it was close to midnight. Leno's show starts around 11:30 or 11:35pm. Mel was Leno's first guest. He really did get a prolonged standing ovation, with thunderous applause... lots of hooting and cheering!