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.

[Dionysius]

Was "Schindler's List" condemned for its violence? I forget.

[RoseofTexas]

I saw it and YES he did get a standing O! The applause kept going on until Mel had to signal the audience to stop! IT WAS GREAT...GOD BLESS MEL GIBSON!

[hobbes1]

Also see this.....(Quo Primum.)

Furthermore, by these presents [this law], in virtue of Our Apostolic authority, We grant and concede in perpetuity that, for the chanting or reading of the Mass in any church whatsoever, this Missal is hereafter to be followed absolutely, without any scruple of conscience or fear of incurring any penalty, judgment, or censure, and may freely and lawfully be used.

[hobbes1]

118, 123....

[Dataman]

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

[Jadge]

Yes, it was a really good show tonight! It appears that it grossed ~$26 million on its opening day! Didn't Gibson invest somewhere around $30 million of his own money? Pretty great to make so much of it back on its first day out!

That's $26 million in gross, a hefty percentage of which the theaters keep. Not to mention the cost of prints and advertising. It will take quite a bit more days like Wed for Mel to recoup his investment, which I'm sure he will. Remember, a film is only an hour and a half commercial for the video release, where the real money is made.

[1Old Pro]

He's got the Hollyweird elites in a the tizzy of their life and I love it.

[Hildy]

It's all about money. If this movie makes a fortune, they'll be kissing his feet to come work for them. Hell, they give money and money to people who NEVER produce a hit. Hollywood is run by a bunch of scumbags. I'm hoping that Gibson is bringing much needed honor back (if they ever had it)to that industry.

[keats5]

What was Mel's reaction to the ovation?

[pbear8]

I am amazed at the reception of Gibson on Leno

The audience is self-selected. If there is someone you want to see all you have to do is line up early for the free tickets. Lots of Mel supporters obviously did.

[pettifogger]

RE: Frequency

Loved this movie! Have recommended it to many as well, and most agree. Except for my mother, who peppered dear ol' Dad throughout with, "who's this now, what's going on, when are we?" and that sort of thing. Gotta rent that one again.

[#3Fan]

Prince is doing real well also, probably the best show I've ever seen on Leno.

He had a good point about computer-generated music.

[pbear8]

.I listened closely it was obvious Jay saw the movie

During the monologue Jay mentioned that he and Kevin had seen the movie on Tuesday.

[Wright is right!]

"That's $26 million in gross, a hefty percentage of which the theaters keep. Not to mention the cost of prints and advertising."

First point - depending upon the film and the distribution deal, MOST theaters do NOT keep a "hefty percentage." They make their money on concession-stand carbs and sweets. There are some distribution deals that leave the theaters mere crumbs as their "percentage." We don't know the details of Mel's deal with the exhibitors.

You're certainly right on the second part, though. Release prints are comically expensive and have a finite run before the optical quality of the print deteriorates. They're also heavy as lead to ship, which is more $$. And Mel has hired an ad agency to buy tons of network TV air time, which isn't cheap. Of course, the schedule they bought was probably only a two-week flight, but still...

My take is that the film will be firmly in the black before it hits the retail DVD/Video market, and that it will REALLY take off when that release hits.

Fortunately, Mel isn't using the "Usual-Suspects Accounting Methods" developed by Hollywood over the years, designed to shield all but the wildest profits from investors or to turn even the biggest hit movie into a paper loss for tax purposes. No, this movie will be accounted for fairly.

Michael

[EagleMamaMT]

Read later.

[bootless]

Well, the local NBC station (KNTV-11) here in the SF Bay Area had the usual report: violence, gore, concerns about anti-Semitism, and interviews with a rabbi, a monsignor and a biblical scholar saying it wasn't historically accurate, that it made the Romans look good and made the Jews look bad and bloodthirsty, etc.

Any positive reviews to balance the story?

No.

[k2blader]

"This town is rocking," he said, "wondering what it all means. This is the film everyone deemed unreleasable."

The left will never get it.

[nutmeg]

LOL! ;-D

[luckystarmom]

At one point they showed the audience, which they usually never do. The audience was standing, and it was a long ovation. It was much longer than other guests.

The audience was very receptive to Mel. Leno was very nice and said good things about the movie.

It was a good interview. Much better than Diane Sawyer's.

[luckystarmom]

I missed that. I went to bed after Mel.