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Gibson Receives Standing Ovation on Leno
NewsMax.com ^
| 2/27/04
| Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff
Posted on 02/26/2004 11:02:02 PM PST by kattracks
Mel Gibson appeared on Jay Lenos "Tonight Show" and was greeted by the live audience with a prolonged standing ovation.
Gibsons 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 hasnt 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 didnt 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 Hollywoods criticism of his work.
He said that he discovered in Tinseltown that "you can get a shiv between the shoulder blades and its 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 Americas favorite comedian that he was surprised by the attacks against him; including the charge he was an anti-Semite.
"Its wrong, its unconscionable, he said.
Leno questioned Gibson about the films 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 films 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.
Gibsons 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.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: gibson; leno; passion
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1
posted on
02/26/2004 11:02:02 PM PST
by
kattracks
To: kattracks
So much sorrow in Hollywood tonight:
Katzenbach and Geffen and Sullivan...oh my!
2
posted on
02/26/2004 11:04:44 PM PST
by
Petronski
(John Kerry looks like . . . like . . . weakness.)
To: kattracks
I wish I had seen this.
3
posted on
02/26/2004 11:05:18 PM PST
by
rwfromkansas
("Men stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up as if nothing had happened." Churchill)
To: kattracks
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
4
posted on
02/26/2004 11:08:35 PM PST
by
Qwinn
To: Petronski
Thankfully Gibson has enough power in that town to keep those schmucks from messing up his career.
5
posted on
02/26/2004 11:09:18 PM PST
by
Mr. Mojo
To: kattracks
Dang it....now I'm gonna have to stay up and watch. Sheesh, I'm never gonna get any sleep. :)
To: rwfromkansas
I can still catch it!
7
posted on
02/26/2004 11:10:35 PM PST
by
Ernest_at_the_Beach
(The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got!!!!)
To: kattracks
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.
To: kattracks
Thanks to Mel for the courage of his convictions.
To: kattracks
BUMP!
To: kattracks
"Thanks for the courage of your convictions, Leno told Gibson as he concluded his interview. I'll BUMP to that!
11
posted on
02/26/2004 11:12:16 PM PST
by
Ronzo
(Check out my web site: www.theodicy.org)
To: Salamander
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.
12
posted on
02/26/2004 11:13:56 PM PST
by
nutmeg
(Why vote for Bush? Imagine Commander in Chief John F’in Kerry)
To: Qwinn
What time was he on? I'm from the Left Coast and don't want to be bothered with the opening act nonsense. Thanks.
13
posted on
02/26/2004 11:15:27 PM PST
by
ambrose
("John Kerry has blood of American soldiers on his hands" - Lt. Col. Oliver North)
To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
Spiffy.
14
posted on
02/26/2004 11:17:01 PM PST
by
rwfromkansas
("Men stumble over the truth, but most pick themselves up as if nothing had happened." Churchill)
To: kattracks
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...
15
posted on
02/26/2004 11:17:07 PM PST
by
nutmeg
(Why vote for Bush? Imagine Commander in Chief John F’in Kerry)
To: ambrose
I was thinking exactly the same thing! LOL.
16
posted on
02/26/2004 11:17:25 PM PST
by
Travis McGee
(----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
To: Petronski
"Katzenbach and Geffen and Sullivan..."They responded just like any other vampire would, when confronted with the cross.
To: kattracks
...and was greeted by the live audience with a prolonged standing ovation.
Priceless!!!
To: kattracks
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?
19
posted on
02/26/2004 11:19:00 PM PST
by
ClancyJ
(It's just not safe to vote Democratic.)
To: ambrose
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!
20
posted on
02/26/2004 11:21:11 PM PST
by
nutmeg
(Why vote for Bush? Imagine Commander in Chief John F’in Kerry)
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